3-Point Hitch Rockshaft Controls - 3010

Luray Farmer · Jun 26, 2010

I am still getting to know my JD 3010. The rockshaft control on this tractor has three settings: Load, Depth, and Load/Depth. The operating manual explains how these work. The problem? I get rockshaft movement (up/down) only in the "Depth" position which is the lowest position of the shifter knob. If I set the control in "L" or "LD," moving the control level on the dash has no effect. If I have a load suspended using "D" and move the selector to another position, the load drops.

What might be the issue? I can use the hitch on "D" for some things but it worries me the other two settings seem inoperative.

Bill Shields
Luray, VA

jenkinsph · Jun 26, 2010

Sounds to me like the rod that attaches to the rockshaft lever is out of adjustment. Do you have travel all the way thru the range of the rockshaft lever? In other words if you have the rockshaft control lever all the way down with the hitch fully lowered will the rockshaft raise proportional to the rockshaft control lever?

Typically I have seen the "load" and "load and depth" positions will lower the rockshaft slightly when in their respective positions, but it should still function. Typically I leave mine in L+D position all the time.

Luray Farmer · Jun 26, 2010

Actually the rockshaft position is NOT proportional to the control lever position in the "D" setting. I am only using the top 1/3 or so of the control level range. That is, the implement is fully lowered when the lever is just a few inches from the top position. What do I adjust?

jenkinsph · Jun 27, 2010

I would try adjusting the linkage between the control lever and the rockshaft to get more movement in the rockshaft valve. If my memory serves me right you can take up some slack in the end of the cable by winding up the clevis end. Look at the rockshaft valve and have someone push the control lever forwards (down) to determine whether you are pushing or pulling the cable (or rod) . What you want to do is adjust the cable end such that you can have more travel in the raise position.

I am going back about thirty years so I can't remember whether this is a push or pull reaction, but in effect you want to be able to adjust the linkage so that your rockshaft lever moves towards the down position and I am betting that means you need to shorten the linkage by winding in the clevis on the rockshaft valve.

Luray Farmer · Jun 27, 2010

Steve - thanks. I'll give that a try. It seems fairly easy to do. This tractor is in very decent overall shape but had not been used for real work in some years.

Bill

jenkinsph · Jun 27, 2010

I should add you can disconnect the clevis and work the valve by hand to see if this fixes your problem. Try it in the L or load position, if it works by hand then all you need to do is adjust the linkage to the rockshaft control.

Just don't get pinched by the moving parts.

jenkinsph · Jun 29, 2010

Bill,

What did you find out?

Luray Farmer · Jun 30, 2010

Steve - I worked on the tractor today using your procedure. No problem finding the clevis, loosening it, working the actuator by hand. Here's the story. First, I really can't get any action out of the hitch with the setting in "Load" or "Load/Depth." So I used "Depth."

When the actuator is moved towards the front of the tractor, the hitch rises to the top. Even a slight movement rearward causes the hitch to start sinking and it will keep going, albeit slowly. That is, the hitch does not lower a specific amount in response to a certain movement of actuator. Second, any movement of the actuator arm rearward past about halfway (essentially vertical) has no effect whatever. So to sum up, the hitch works only in "D," a good part of the actuator's travel has no effect, and the hitch does not move and stop as it should.

I should add that when the hitch is loaded with my bush hog in the "D" setting, it will hold position more or less but it's very tricky to set and requires periodic adjustment.

My feeling is that something internal is worn or damaged. The shop manual mentions a procedure to manually move a gear connected to the actuator arm using a screwdriver through the fill tube opening! I'm reluctant to try that until winter when I won't need the tractor.

jenkinsph · Jun 30, 2010

My memory isn't what it used to be but isn't there a small horizontal shaft that comes out on the right side of the hitch housing that ties into the valve actuator (should have an offset lever on it)? This rod ties into the hitch and rolls around with the raising and lowering of the hitch arm and is part of the position control, might it be out of adjustment?