xhydraulic lockout valve and 3ph

msengstock · Apr 18, 2008

I have a question about my new 3ph on my x728. According to my manual, the hydraulic lockout valve (installed with the 45 loader) is " to restrict movement of mid and rear 3-point hitch mounted attachments"

When I took delivery of my tractor yesterday, I noticed the 3ph (and mower deck) was moving in tandem with the loader bucket, I just figured the lockout valve was open and paid it no mind. After the guy left, I checked and it was closed ... but the 3ph and deck would still move, I called the dealer and he said that was normal ... i can't imagine that is right, is it?

The valve is still there, and looks to be hooked up in line with the correct hydraulic line, so how could it be that the 3ph and deck still move when the valve is closed?? Could the valve be broken?

Any help would be great.

Thanks!

kennyd · Apr 18, 2008

I wish I could help, but I am totally unfamiliar with how they do the hydraulic on these machines. Maybe you could call another dealer to confirm operation?

It does sound like it should be a diverter valve, in which case it should be either/or function, not a little of both...

msengstock · Apr 18, 2008

Thanks, for what it's worth - prior to having he 3ph installed, the lock out valve worked as it was supposed to - kept the deck from raising/lowering when using the loader. With a 3ph ballast box with 500 lbs in it going up and down with the bucket curl, you can imagine how that doesn't "seem right" and might be pretty dangerous.

unit40 · Apr 18, 2008

The lockout valve restricts movement but doesn't stop it. Closing it will let you use the front loader without any hesitations or fluid movement for the rear lift cylinder taking priority. Raise your deck and lock it up into transport. Then raise the rear 3 point hitch and screw the depth stop up all of the way to lock that up. Now you can use the loader without the deck or 3PH moving down.

msengstock · Apr 18, 2008

Thanks - I'll try that.

msengstock · Apr 18, 2008

unit40 said:
The lockout valve restricts movement but doesn't stop it. Closing it will let you use the front loader without any hesitations or fluid movement for the rear lift cylinder taking priority. Raise your deck and lock it up into transport. Then raise the rear 3 point hitch and screw the depth stop up all of the way to lock that up. Now you can use the loader without the deck or 3PH moving down.

Works like a charm! Thanks alot!

msengstock · Apr 24, 2008

unit40 said:
The lockout valve restricts movement but doesn't stop it. Closing it will let you use the front loader without any hesitations or fluid movement for the rear lift cylinder taking priority. Raise your deck and lock it up into transport. Then raise the rear 3 point hitch and screw the depth stop up all of the way to lock that up. Now you can use the loader without the deck or 3PH moving down.

Something else I noticed, my dealer said it's normal - with the lock out valve open, and even with the 3ph depth stop up all the way to lock the blade in place, if I uncurl the loader bucket half way and let go of the lever, the bucket uncurl will drift all the way down by gravity or if it doesn't I can uncurl the bucket by hand by leaning on it.

With the lock out valve closed, this doesn't happen. I can't say if this has always been the case because prior to getting the 3ph I would always close the valve to keep the deck from moving while using the loader.

shot_gun · Apr 25, 2008

with the lock out valve open, and even with the 3ph depth stop up all the way to lock the blade in place, if I uncurl the loader bucket half way and let go of the lever, the bucket uncurl will drift all the way down by gravity or if it doesn't I can uncurl the bucket by hand by leaning on it.

With the lock out valve closed, this doesn't happen. I can't say if this has always been the case because prior to getting the 3ph I would always close the valve to keep the deck from moving while using the loader.

With that valve open you are taking oil from your bucket cylinders and pushing into the lift cyl. for the deck/3pt. It is tough to run with the 3pt and loader at the same time beings they use a combined hydraulic circuit. you'll have to choose on or the other.

msengstock · Apr 25, 2008

shot_gun said:
With that valve open you are taking oil from your bucket cylinders and pushing into the lift cyl. for the deck/3pt. It is tough to run with the 3pt and loader at the same time beings they use a combined hydraulic circuit. you'll have to choose on or the other.

Thanks - that's a great explanation. You're right it is a pain to use both at the same time. Maybe next year I'll upgrade to a 2520 or something that has the 3ph run independantly from the loader if I find myself doing alot of work around the yard with the box blade - it sure does make quick time of pricker bushes and dead tree roots, that's for sure!