TO-30 hydraulics/3PH troubles

LD1 · Jul 10, 2013

Working on a TO-30

Not sure if it is normal, out of adjustment, or have issues...

Tractor DOES have draft control, but to my knowledge, does NOT have override. (at least I cannot find a lever for override)

Now the issues...

It seems that the FULL range of the 3PH travel all happens within just a few inches if lever movement. The lever from top to bottom moves (for sake of argument) about 12". And within about 2-3" of travel (near the bottom of the range) the 3PH will go from all the way down to all the way up.

This acts really similar to the 8n when draft is engaged. But this has no draft override.

Tried adjusting the quadrant to no avail. Which I had my doubts to begin with, cause all that will do is adjust "where" in the range the 3PH moves, but does nothing to change the relationship of 2-3" = full travel.

Havent taken the top cover off yet, and dont know what to expect when I do.

So the questions...

Is this normal?
Any internal adjustments?
Any other causes/solutions?

Everything else seems to work fine. It goes up, it goes down. It is just too "sensitive" it seems. And FAR too easy to crash a pto shaft into the mower:mur:

LD1 · Jul 11, 2013

Anybody??

LD1 · Jul 11, 2013

Well, tore it appart this morning and found that the control valve had a broken rod.

So, I ordered part number 9n640...Tisco 9N640 Replacement Part For Ford Tractors 2N 9N Hydraulic Pump Valve. No...: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Not from amazon, but they had the best picture.

Now I am hoping this is what is indeed causing the issues where 2" of lever travel cause the implement to travel through its full range of motion...

DaButcher · Jul 11, 2013

good luck, think you found the problem already

Jerry/MT · Jul 18, 2013

LD1 said:
Working on a TO-30

Not sure if it is normal, out of adjustment, or have issues...

Tractor DOES have draft control, but to my knowledge, does NOT have override. (at least I cannot find a lever for override)

Now the issues...

It seems that the FULL range of the 3PH travel all happens within just a few inches if lever movement. The lever from top to bottom moves (for sake of argument) about 12". And within about 2-3" of travel (near the bottom of the range) the 3PH will go from all the way down to all the way up.

This acts really similar to the 8n when draft is engaged. But this has no draft override.

Tried adjusting the quadrant to no avail. Which I had my doubts to begin with, cause all that will do is adjust "where" in the range the 3PH moves, but does nothing to change the relationship of 2-3" = full travel.

Havent taken the top cover off yet, and dont know what to expect when I do.

So the questions...

Is this normal?
Any internal adjustments?
Any other causes/solutions?

Everything else seems to work fine. It goes up, it goes down. It is just too "sensitive" it seems. And FAR too easy to crash a pto shaft into the mower:mur:

With a broken control valve stem, I'm surprised the 3 pt operated at all! There is no position control feature on the original Ferguson System used on the TO-TE-20 0r the TO-30. You can buy or make a position control device (Zane Thang, Ferguson Positioner, etc or the FENA website has the plans for a 'do it yourself' positioner).

With the exception of the neutral point location, the operation you decribed sounds normal for this system. The sensitivity to draft changes is adjusted by adjusting the control spring just like the Ferguson System on the Ford 2N and 9N. Put a plow ( or other ~300 lb weight) on the 3 pt and raise the hitch. The control spring should just be able to rotate on the control rod. if it doesn't, adjust it. Adjusting is the tough part because usually the end fitting is rusted to the contol rod and it will take the 'blue flame wrench' to get it to move! If yours is stuck, you'll have to remove the front end of the rod from the internal mechanism and then remove the control spring/control rod from the back of the differential housing and soak it with penetrating ofor 24 hrs while it sits upside down in your vise before you start trying to loosen it.

The way the system works is that you adjust the neutral point to be 2-1/2 inches below the the full up position (measured from the lower edge of the lift lever). The adjustment is made byloosening the four quadrant bolts and prying the plate fore or aft to make the loaded 3 pt hitch just start to drop at the 2-1/2 inch mark.

Soundguy · Jul 18, 2013

i'm surprised it worked with a broken stem as well!

LD1 · Jul 18, 2013

Well it did work. Yea, it is surprising. Got the new valve already, now just trying to find time to tinker with it.:mur:

Likely wont be till next weekend.

Spring rotated freely with an implement attached. Went thought that adjustment as well as the quadrant adjustment before we tore into it and found the valve. Nothing helped. Obviously...