(R3039) R-series draft control question

hutchman · Mar 16, 2014

Hi,

Warning ... tractor noob alert.

In looking at my new-to-me R3039 today and reading the manual ... I'm a little confused about the draft control. Where the top link connects there is this little Y looking metal part that can swing up from the left. The brace for the top link looks like it also has room to press in on a lever I assume is the sensor the book mentions but gives a terrible description of.

So if my mechanical aptitude is right (or lack thereof), if this Y part is flipped up it looks like it prevents the top link brace from being pushed in which disables draft control feature???

I'm guessing the sensor works by a ground engaging implement pushing the top plate in (toward the tractor) as the load on the implement increases.

Am I in the weeds on my understanding? Just trying to figure this thing out.

Also, the manual talks about selecting "proper hole" for the top link but really doesn't go into detail about how to determine what the proper hole is. In looking at it, it looks like the top hole would have more leverage and be the most sensitive to draft control and the holes further down would be less sensitive ... is there some fine art to deciding which hole to use to connect the top link?

mangus580 · Mar 16, 2014

You are correct about the Y part flipping up to disable the draft.

I am not sure about the 'proper' hole though. I just use what ever one fits the implement I am using.

Tbolt76 · Mar 17, 2014

Usually, the top hole is the least sensitive, bottom hole most sensitive. For example, my old JD 520 has 4 holes, #1 is the top and so on. Plows are put in hole 2 or 3, disc harrow 3, middlebuster 1, most cultivators 2 or 3. Mostly this depends on the amount of engagement by the implement and how much resistance (draft) it will generate. A 1 point subsoiler is just a single "contact" whereas a 5 shank rigid cultivator has more points in the ground and most likely more resistance. The hitch will automatically lift the implement to resist hanging up and stalling the tractor until the resistance is lessened and then drop the implement back down. The top link mount on the tractor is pulled away from the tractor when the draft increases, which signals the lift arms to pull up. The little Y part I'd have to see, but maybe its engagement with the top link is part of the whole sensing process. Hope that helps.
Tom
p.s. I'll let you know what I think when I pick up my R4041 later this week.

MtnViewRanch · Mar 18, 2014

Just so that it is clear, the top-bottom pin hole location regarding resistance for the draft control varies from tractor-tractor. Best not to just assume that it is usually one way or the other.

Tbolt76 · Mar 18, 2014

MtnView,
Good point, although I can't recall ever seeing a difference going back to old tractors. I'm no expert, that's for sure, so little diffs are often overlooked. Seems that it would be something the industry would have standardized long ago. Can you name any tractors that are different? It would be interesting to see if its standardized. Thanks for the info.

MtnViewRanch · Mar 18, 2014

Tbolt76 said:
MtnView,
Good point, although I can't recall ever seeing a difference going back to old tractors. I'm no expert, that's for sure, so little diffs are often overlooked. Seems that it would be something the industry would have standardized long ago. Can you name any tractors that are different? It would be interesting to see if its standardized. Thanks for the info.

My 2005 Mahindra 7520 (75hp). Most sensitive in the top pin location and is the location that I use for grading purposes "when" I use draft control while I'm grading. I know that there are others that I have seen at the AG show also.