3-Point Hitch Satoh 3-pt hitch Q

[Steve777]

I have an early 80's Satoh 3 cyl diesel (18hp) tractor with a FEL.

Recently the knob that adjusts how fast the 3pt hitch will fall stopped working. Regardless of the knob's position, the hitch falls very fast. I pulled the shaft the knob is on out, and saw what looked to be a needle, but no obvious problems. I am guessing that this needle was supposed to limit the speed of Hyd fluid out of the cyl. That it no longer works has me thinking that the fluid now has an alternate route somehow.

The next step would seem to be to pull the whole casting that this valve sits in off, and take a look. But before I did that, I thought I would ask if anyone knows how the fluid is intended to flow through this valve and what the cause of the fast fall might be.

TIA

 

[oliver28472]

Yes, take 4 bolts out of the top of the cylinder where the valve is, pull the cover off and you will see that
a check ball, spring, c-clip and maybe even a small washer have come out of this cover and are just riding
up and down on the piston. Get a magnet to get them out. Then just put them back in the port they
came out of. (Ball first, then spring, washer, clip). You will then need to readjust the knob after you put it
together. Very easy fix at no cost.