Deere Adds Hydraulic Down Pressure Option On 3PH

[JMER817]

I believe it is an option. Does not come standard. So if you feel the need for and want down pressure order it up. Otherwise pass on it.

 

[buickanddeere]

I can see the benefits for the implements you mention but I use a backhoe mount auger, tillers and no moldboard ploughs.

Why get power steering either? Just let the mother in law do the driving as she is quite muscular and will tell you where to go anyway.

I did not know that you had met my Mother in law .

 

[prs]

My mother-in-law can not be spared to steer the tractor. The tranny froze-up years ago and we need her to pull the rig as we cultivate the fields.

Frankly, I always wondered why all 3 point rock shafts did not/do no have down pressure. What a joy for sub-soiling or trenching; or jacking up the rear tires for service.

prs

 

[RoyJackson]

I see fairly limited use...but for those guys who add weight to a box blade or back blade...might be worth while

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I recall when power steering was an option on tractors and highway vehicles. There were some people that would not order the PS option because they did not "need" it.
Down pressure desirable for use with post hole diggers , disk cultivators and sometimes moldboard ploughs.

This is true, but just as Jenkinsph said, good for those implements. There are no positive sides to it for grading that I can think of. A down pressure kit can be had for less $$$ for a PHD, a moldboard plow shouldn't need it if used properly at the proper time, it pulls itself into the ground and a disk should be used under different conditions other than when it would need that additional weight.

So, to sum things up, it allows you to do things when in reality you should not be doing them. (Conditions are not really right) I understand that being a weekender myself. The right conditions are not always available when we need to do things. So while I suppose it has it's merits, I believe that it should be available without hindering other hydraulic alternatives on the machine.

As I have mentioned before, the additional stresses exerted on the lighter weight implements by the down force from the hitch will eventually lead to the implements failure simply because the implement does not have the physical mass to withstand the additional force that is applied, if applied on a regular basis.

 

[stuckmotor]

My Tractor Supply post hole auger, I think it's a County Line, has a screw on the end. So far, I've been pleased with the way it goes into the ground. My 3ph doesn't have down pressure.

 

[roadhunter]

I can certainly see some uses for it depending on how the machine was used. Post hole digger and box blade seem obvious but I'm sure there are more like with a disc where some weight or down pressure helps make the implement work better. For working gravel, driveways, snow, ice, etc it would handle more like a skip loader style tractor. Nice to have it as an option.

 

[medic3720]

I would add that this option would be great for a rototiller! I have a lot of clay around my place, and my tiller likes to bounce off the clay.

 

[LD1]

It only adds 500# of pressure. I assume there is a relief valve somewhere in the system to not exceed that.

The rear of the tractor weighs a good bit more than 500#. Going over a dip I would assume the tires would follow the ground.

I can see a real benefit for post hole digging. But for lifting the back of the tractor to change tires it will not.

 

[300UGUY]

I have a old Farmall that has down pressure. I can lift the rear of the tractor. I don't see it as being very useful. Even the phd, which I used on the Farmall quite a bit, the down pressure wasn't really useful. As far as rototilling, I think putting much down pressure on the tiller and tines would be a bad idea. A little slop is preferable, lets the implement move a bit, so as to not break things. I did break a rear blade on the Farmall, too much bite, and hit a root with the corner edge bent things up pretty good.