Mahindra Dealer Installed 3rd Function

[ljhayes988]

Anyone have the Mahindra 3rd function installed? I recently bought a tractor and it is back now getting the 3rd function installed (it took 2 weeks to arrive). There isn't much info online, but one thing I have noticed is that the "switch" for the 3rd function is nothing more than a button. I expected it to be a rocker switch or something. I am new and inexperienced with equipment, but everything else I have ever used was either two buttons or a rocker switch. My question is, using a grapple, how do you change the direction of the lid? Is it one push to travel and then two clicks to change direction? Unfortunately the dealer was not sure (not reassuring at all.....). I am supposed to pick it up tomorrow, but just curious if anyone here had any experience with it. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[coldsteelva]

It may be a 'momentary' switch wherein the 3rd function is only enabled/engaged while you have your thumb on the button (like a trigger). It is also possible that the button is a push-on/push-off type with a detent so while the button is 'in' the 3rd function is active and inactive when the button is 'out'.

 

[oosik]

Mine is electric over hydraulic and IS NOT modulated. Meaning, either on or off. Have to be a tad careful if picking something, such as a burn barrel, that you don't want crushed. View attachment 589522

Since you will be working brush, consider doing something like this to your OEM grill guard. Could easily save the grill, radiator or battery.

 

[ljhayes988]

Thanks for the quick feedback! I appreciate it.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

It sounds like a diverter to me instead of a true third function. This video goes over some differences.
Travis

 

[TractorGuy]

A typical diverter valve third function will use a solenoid valve with 6 ports to reroute the bucket curl hydraulics to the grapple claws. To operate the grapple claw or whatever third function you have you will have a momentary switch with a button that activates the solenoid. The solenoid will move a piston that redirects the two ports to the bucket curl to perform a different function. The speed will be regulated by how much you push on the loader control. You won't be able to curl your bucket while the button is pushed. You change back and forth between the two functions by pressing or releasing the button on the switch while operating the loader control side to side.

I recently installed a Home Brew Third Function on my John Deere.

 

[TractorNH]

There are two types of 3rd function kits. The one I believe oosik has is the same as what I have which is the WR Long 3rd function kit. This kit has a rocker switch on the loader handle where one side opens the grapple and the other closes it. The advantage is the rocker switch control. The disadvantage as oosik mentioned is it IS NOT modulated. It is either on or off at full hydraulic flow.

If you have a single button then you would have a diverter style 3rd function which typically gets installed inline with the bucket curl hoses. For this one to work you press and hold the button while using your loader curl direction on your loader lever. The advantage to this style is that you can feather the hydraulics so you can close the grapple slower if you need to. The disadvantage is the learning curve of not instinctively letting go of the button before the lever is in the neutral position. If you let go of the button while still under pressure the bucket curl function will be activated and can jump and startle you and/or possibly damage whatever you're working on.

Either one works fine. It is more a matter of personal preference and learning to use the style you have.

 

[swampy6]

We had one installed on our 4540, from talking with the guy who installed it, the third function kit can be different depending on your model of tractor. Ours has two red buttons on it that we use when plowing snow, they angle the plow left or right.

Just some pictures of our setup, the last picture is the battery maintainer hooked up so you don't have to take off the grill.

 

[RNeumann]

It sounds like a diverter to me instead of a true third function. This video goes over some differences.
Travis

Yep. My dealer discussed the Mahindra “3rd function” with me. All it is is a diverter. I’d be researching your options. For the price of the factory diverter you can get a true third function. Or you can install a diverter for a few hundred bucks in parts.
Btw- all you are doing is diverting the curl function and sending it to the 3rd function. Meaning one or the other.

 

[ljhayes988]

It is a diverter valve. I didn't have any experience with a diverter, but overall I think I like it just as well. It will take a little to get used to, but after a few hours this weekend, it seems to work pretty well. Thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate the help.