3-Point Hitch MF 245 3 point issues

[Sam in TN]

Looking for advice on how serious/expensive this might be to fix.

Late 70s 245, draft and position levers stuck together. Will raise and will lower, but no in between. If moved at all much lower than full up position the arms start to drop. Previous owner said was working fine until he forced levers apart, not sure how accurate or reliable that statement is. Can force them apart but does not change the outcome. Draft seems to be controlling everything. Uploaded a video, even tied a red rag around arm to make it easier to see. As they say a pic is worth a thousand words.

So what am I looking at to fix this?

 

[i7win7]

Looks like a shaft inside a tube arrangement 40-50 years old. Cross fingers and be generous with penetrating oil. Hope for minor rust or dried out lubrication.

See if you can find online manual or parts diagram - could have internal damage

3rd time watching video, the spring loaded pin, does it lock selector in draft/position mode?

 

[Agvg]

You must probably lift up the hydraulic cover, not a big job, might be a idea to have a MF dealer to go over and adjust the mechanism after you have solved the issue and you can just bring in the cover, new levels does not cost much so it might be easier to just replace.

 

[i7win7]

Not familiar with MF245 but, what if: left lever is 3 point position control, right lever controls draft setting (they still need to operate independently), that would mean there is a 3rd lever on tractor to select draft/position control 3pt mode.

 

[Agvg]

No, it's just two, draft is disconnected when the level are all the way back.

 

[redman135]

Hello Sam. The 2 levers are a shaft-in- tube arraingement. I reccomend some penetrating oil to loosen them especially if parked outside.
Round head lever = draft control
Squre head lever = position control
Note this control setup is an early model and does NOT have preassure control.
In the video you push the draft lever to the adjustable stop. CONTINUE until the lever is behind the stop and leave it there.
THEN push the position control lever down(expect it to be stiff) and your 3PH should work correctly. You may need to work the position lever to loosen it up.

I7Win7, the spring loaded bolt you see on the position control lever is to adjust the friction washer . I found the position control lever would "walk" as you drove along, dropping your attatchment to the ground(friction washer was completely worn out). A replacement washer fixed that problem.