Is 3 Pt Hitch Leakdown Normal?

[genusCastor]

I recently bought a 2003 Mahindra 3510. Last night I put an implement on the 3 point hitch for the first time, and noticed it drops an inch or two every 20 seconds, then lifts back up. A continuous cycle: drop down, lift up... I haven't had a load in the FEL yet, so I don't know if it exhibits the same behavior or not.

I asked the guy I bought it from and he said that a certain amount of leak down/lift up cycling is normal. Is it?

- djb

 

[Bousez]

I do not think so....... !!!!
there is something wrong for sure ......

 

[Jay4200]

I recently bought a 2003 Mahindra 3510. Last night I put an implement on the 3 point hitch for the first time, and noticed it drops an inch or two every 20 seconds, then lifts back up. A continuous cycle: drop down, lift up... I haven't had a load in the FEL yet, so I don't know if it exhibits the same behavior or not.

I asked the guy I bought it from and he said that a certain amount of leak down/lift up cycling is normal. Is it?

- djb

No. If I have my rake all the way up when I shut my tractor down, it'll be an inch or two lower the next morning. That's normal.

JayC

 

[genusCastor]

How would I go about troubleshooting the problem? I'm not a pro mechanically, but I can do basic repairs... Would there be a valve that could be removed and checked?

- djb

 

[J_J]

Could it be the draft control.

A hydraulic draft control system for use on a tractor and having a pilot valve regulating flow and pressure for automatically operating a draft control valve. The pilot valve opens and closes in response to draft loads sensed on the tractor to control the opening and closing of the control valve for raising and lowering of an implement on the tractor.

Quote:

On a tractor that has draft control, the draft control lever sets the sensitivity of the draft system. "Draft" refers to the hydraulic system's ability to sense and react to the pulling load of the 3-pt hitch.

On your tractor, the tractor,s top link(center link) clevis can move in and out slightly. It is actually connected to the hydraulic control valve inside the tractor.

If you were pulling a plow, and the plow hit an underground rock or root, the plow would be tilted forward, which pushes the top link "in". If the draft lever is set to the most "sensitive" position, the hydraulic system would automatically raise the lift momentarily and then return the plow to its original position (based of the position of the "position" lever). All of this happens without you stopping or making any adjustments.

If you have it set too sensitive, the plow will raise up all of the time under even the slightest loads. You may have noticed that if you move the draft lever to the top, the lift might raise all the way up suddenly. If you have it set too low, the plow won't raise and you could get caught on the root or tear something up.

On Fords and Masseys (and most other tractors) draft sensitivity is highest at the up position and lowest and the bottom position of the draft lever.

For most bush-hoging, mowing, blading, discing, planting, etc., the draft control isn't even used. I'd set the draft lever about 1" up from the bottom, set it there with the stop, and never touch it again.

As tractors get older, the internal linkage gets worn out and the draft lever's position varies. So, the actual placement of the draft lever isn't that critical in your case. Just keep it on the lower half.

 

[doall]

I know most Mahindra's have the draft control, so I was going to suggest that too. J J got you covered.

 

[genusCastor]

OK, so I may just not have the draft control set correctly(?) I must confess, I have not really understood exactly what the draft control is for. I grew up with an old Massey Ferguson 35 which had a draft lever, but I never used it (or forgot what it did)...

I found this website that seems to be a good 3 point hitch tutor.

Now, with all of this draft action going on, we've got to slow the lift system down some, or we'll end up with a rapid, out of control oscillation of the lift arms going up and down.

Reckon I need to 'play' with the draft and see if the prollem might be user error. :laughing:

- djb

 

[sweettractors]

Most tractors have a draft control lever that you can use on or off. If you have one, make sure that it is in the off position. About the only time you need draft control is when you are plowing. Ken Sweet

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

I recently bought a 2003 Mahindra 3510. Last night I put an implement on the 3 point hitch for the first time, and noticed it drops an inch or two every 20 seconds, then lifts back up. A continuous cycle: drop down, lift up... I haven't had a load in the FEL yet, so I don't know if it exhibits the same behavior or not.

I asked the guy I bought it from and he said that a certain amount of leak down/lift up cycling is normal. Is it?

- djb

Sounds like there may be some trash lodged in the relief valve. Chain the 3PH to something it can't lift and try to lift it. This should open the relief valve and flush it out. I am not sure it is your problem but it may be. Let us know if this works.

 

[genusCastor]

Chain the 3PH to something it can't lift and try to lift it. This should open the relief valve and flush it out.

Yesterday I was pulling out fence T-posts, and on one of them the lift couldn't pull it up. While the 3 pt system was under that strain, I noticed it started oscillating (leak down/lift up) just like it did with the implement on it the other night.

Also, when I shut the tractor off, the 3 pt hitch drops to the ground in 15 minutes or so, without a load on it...

I also checked the draft. There is no "OFF" position, but I placed it on the minimum setting (1 out of 5), and it still seems to oscillate. It definitely oscillates on the maximum setting (5).

- djb