3-Point Hitch RK55 3pt fine tune

[jethroish]

I know there is an adjustment to control the lowering speed of 3pt implements, but...

Is there any adjustments to quicken the react time when raising? I use this tractor to work my horse arena. My hand is always on the 3pt lever to constantly adjust the arena tool (see profile pic) up and down to keep dirt as level as possible. When raising, it seems slow to react and then it will raise too much and not very smoothly.

Any tweeking or am I expecting too much? Will this smooth out/loosen up with time? I have used other tractors that are very smooth, but they also have expensive paint.

 

[markie61]

I know there is an adjustment to control the lowering speed of 3pt implements, but... When raising, it seems slow to react and then it will raise too much and not very smoothly.

Try running it at a little higher revs to move more fluid for lifting and adjust the know to lower at your desired speed. There is an adjustable positive-stop knob on mine (currently on the lowering end of the 3PH control). I have a similar setup on my NH that can be moved to the upper side to limit the lever's lift height. I haven't tried relocating it on my RK - maybe that will help too if it can be moved.

 

[jethroish]

Usually working at 2000 rpm

 

[markie61]

Was hoping others might have jumped in by now...hmm...
I have never had a draft control before - never used one and only a surface knowledge of what it does - but I understand that it's for ground-engaging 3PH implements. Don't know if fiddling with that might help...or not...

 

[ovrszd]

I don't think Draft Control will help his situation. It is still relying on the lift speed of the system.

Top Link Draft Control senses the load on the top link to raise/lower the tool.
1. If the tool is too low it will create drag load and push forward on the top link. This push is sensed by the tractor's system and will slightly raise the load.
2. If the tool is too high it will not have drag load and pull rearward on the top link. This pull is sensed by the tractor's system and will slightly lower the load.

 

[jethroish]

I don't think Draft Control will help his situation. It is still relying on the lift speed of the system.

Top Link Draft Control senses the load on the top link to raise/lower the tool.
1. If the tool is too low it will create drag load and push forward on the top link. This push is sensed by the tractor's system and will slightly raise the load.
2. If the tool is too high it will not have drag load and pull rearward on the top link. This pull is sensed by the tractor's system and will slightly lower the load.

ovrszd,
You are correct. I need to be able to, essentially, not have any draft at all and control it all manually. That way I can keep the surface of my horse arena level. If the draft is allowed to work, the surface ends up rippled.

 

[ovrszd]

ovrszd,
You are correct. I need to be able to, essentially, not have any draft at all and control it all manually. That way I can keep the surface of my horse arena level. If the draft is allowed to work, the surface ends up rippled.

I've never saw a way to speed up the lift of a 3pt. My old Ford 3910 has the ability to slow the hydraulics. Comes in handy if doing BB work. I have the valve wide open all the time, at it's fastest speed.

I say this with no malice. Practice makes perfect. Keep at it, you'll pick up the "touch".

 

[jethroish]

I've never saw a way to speed up the lift of a 3pt. My old Ford 3910 has the ability to slow the hydraulics. Comes in handy if doing BB work. I have the valve wide open all the time, at it's fastest speed.

I say this with no malice. Practice makes perfect. Keep at it, you'll pick up the "touch".

Problem is when I try to raise the 3pt, it does not come up smoothly. When I pull the lever back a very small amount, it does nothing. When I pull back a little more, it ends up jumping 2 inches or more, all at once. Letting it back down, it lowers smoothly.
Makes it frustrating doing "fine grade work."

Don't get me wrong, I really like this tractor. This is the only slight complaint I would make.

 

[ovrszd]

Oh, I see. My Son's Kubota B3200 is like that.

In his tractor's case it has 1/4 inch valving. Idea being if you pull the lever toward lift it is supposed to lift 1/4" and stop. Let the lever back to center. Repeat. 1/4" lift each time.

Or if you want total lift you pull the lever all the way rearward and it lifts to it's max height.

Makes fine work very tedious. When he first got it he couldn't do smooth work at all. He's gotten much better.

Position Control 3pt puts the height of the arms at the same spot each time you move the lever to that particular position.

Easy way to tell the difference.

Is your lever spring loaded back to center? If so it's 1/4" valving.

Is your lever have a movement resistance built into it? In other words when you move it you feel a slight drag. And if you let go of the lever it stays exactly where you put it. If so it's Position Control.

Once we figure that out then we can better diagnose if there is a problem.

I was hoping other RK owners would chime in with some knowledgeable advice.

 

[jethroish]

Oh, I see. My Son's Kubota B3200 is like that.

In his tractor's case it has 1/4 inch valving. Idea being if you pull the lever toward lift it is supposed to lift 1/4" and stop. Let the lever back to center. Repeat. 1/4" lift each time.

Or if you want total lift you pull the lever all the way rearward and it lifts to it's max height.

Makes fine work very tedious. When he first got it he couldn't do smooth work at all. He's gotten much better.

Position Control 3pt puts the height of the arms at the same spot each time you move the lever to that particular position.

Easy way to tell the difference.

Is your lever spring loaded back to center? If so it's 1/4" valving.

Is your lever have a movement resistance built into it? In other words when you move it you feel a slight drag. And if you let go of the lever it stays exactly where you put it. If so it's Position Control.

Once we figure that out then we can better diagnose if there is a problem.

I was hoping other RK owners would chime in with some knowledgeable advice.

it is Position Control

 

[ptsg]

Does the 3 pt control lever moves freely and smooth?

Mine had the friction discs a bit too tight making the lever relatively hard to move if I want to do small adjustments. I had to give it small bumps to make the fine adjustments.

I just adjusted the pressure on the spring and moves much better and smooth.

 

[ovrszd]

it is Position Control

Okay. Then the Position Control may be out of adjustment. There should be a linkage system fastened to the rockshaft arm and to a small lever coming out of the lift housing. This rod is how it transfers the information to the cylinder controller inside the lift housing. Look for this linkage system and make sure the ends are securely fastened and tight. Should have small swivel joints on each end. Might get lucky and find the linkage is coming loose.

I'd take a pic of my Kubota system for reference but it's out in the cold Machine Shed and I'm lazy.

 

[jethroish]

I'll get under there and look for adjustments AFTER the this cold snap passes.
Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[markie61]

Does the 3 pt control lever moves freely and smooth?...I just adjusted the pressure on the spring and moves much better and smooth.

There may be slightly more friction (compared to other tractors) due to the linkage having two controls - the main lever on the operating station and the cable controlled one for ground adjustments. Maybe a little wear over time and/or lubricant may free things up a bit.
BTW, 22 degrees here in Virginia this morning - I imagine it's a bit less tropical in Indiana...

 

[markie61]

Does the 3 pt control lever moves freely and smooth?...I just adjusted the pressure on the spring and moves much better and smooth.

There may be slightly more friction (compared to other tractors) due to the linkage having two controls - the main lever on the operating station and the cable controlled one for ground adjustments. Maybe a little wear over time and/or lubricant will free things up a bit.
BTW, 22 degrees here in Virginia this morning - I imagine it's a bit less tropical in Indiana...

 

[ovrszd]

Markie, can you get some pics of your position control linkage so he knows what to look for?

 

[BigMark]

I have this same issue with my RK55HC when trying to adjust my finish mower to an exact height. I nudge the lever back several times with no result. Then when it decides to have an affect, it jumps the deck up 1 1/2 - 2" all at once. I can lower it slowly and under control, but adjusting it up is no fun. I've came to accept it, all fine tuning must be done while lowering the deck. If i lower it too far then i have to jerk it back up and start the lowering process all over again. It's a little frustrating to say the least, but I still love the tractor. If there is a fix for this I would be interested in it.

 

[jethroish]

I have this same issue with my RK55HC when trying to adjust my finish mower to an exact height. I nudge the lever back several times with no result. Then when it decides to have an affect, it jumps the deck up 1 1/2 - 2" all at once. I can lower it slowly and under control, but adjusting it up is no fun. I've came to accept it, all fine tuning must be done while lowering the deck. If i lower it too far then i have to jerk it back up and start the lowering process all over again. It's a little frustrating to say the least, but I still love the tractor. If there is a fix for this I would be interested in it.

My sentiments exactly.

 

[ovrszd]

Sounds like it's built into the system.

Trying to think about how that could be.

The lowering part is explainable because you are simply opening the valve and letting fluid escape.

In regards to raising. The problem is in communication between the lever and the position control linkage. Wouldn't that indicate sloppiness in that linkage? This would require considerable movement of the lever before it's effective at the valve?

So you guys have looked at your linkage to ensure it's tight and functioning properly? When you move the lever does the linkage do anything abnormal such as flexing or "rolling" which would add slack?

I'm very curious about this. Especially if there's a simple fix of some kind.

 

[BigMark]

I'll see what I can determine and reply back this weekend (after the big game)