BX 3PT Lowering Speed Adjusting Valve Stuck

Tractor Seabee · Jul 12, 2016

Need some help from you old time BX owners/mechanics.

BX 25 is 5 years old and 1500 Hrs. I have not used the LSAV very much; usually set at medium speed, seldom lock in either full open or closed position. went to set in the closed position the other day and the shaft will not rotate at all stuck, probably at that mid position. I have had hired help using the tractor in the past so hard telling what they may have done. I got out the old pump pliers and promptly broke off the knob.

The WSM has very little to say about this part. What is the experience among TBN on this problem? Hard to get to any thing w/o spending a half day removing all the rear half sheet metal. What if I put a pipe wrench on the shaft? I am sure it is a $1K fix at the dealer shop and probably 30 days lost time. May have to wait to fix it till winter if not a simple thing.

Any experience and help on this is really appreciated in advance.

Ron

pksebago · Jul 12, 2016

Mine had never been used by previous owner and was also stuck. I sprayed with penetrating oil for a few applications and was able to turn the shaft with pump pliers or vice grips. Shaft was accessible under the seat without removing any additional parts

RaydaKub · Jul 12, 2016

I haven't had mine off for a while, but I thought there was one flat side on the shaft for the knob. I would use a wrench on that flat side and just work it back and forth a lot until it moves freely. Seems like mine was very stiff when I bought mine and now it works well after doing that. Of course, I haven't found a lot of need to change it since I got it working, so mine is probably stiff again, too.

JWR · Jul 12, 2016

RaydaKub said:
I haven't had mine off for a while, but I thought there was one flat side on the shaft for the knob. I would use a wrench on that flat side and just work it back and forth a lot until it moves freely. Seems like mine was very stiff when I bought mine and now it works well after doing that. Of course, I haven't found a lot of need to change it since I got it working, so mine is probably stiff again, too.

I agree with both of the previous comments. Mine was stuck and I used WD-40 on it letting that run into the innards of where ever that shaft goes. After a day or two I was able to turn it and it freed up nicely. Yes, you should be able to use vise grips on it but I'd be gentle. Let the WD-40 soak in a while first. Then about that knob: Kubota charges some hideous price for it. Same with the mower deck raise/lower cutting number knob. Made about the same. If cosmetics does not impress you, you can make up a homebrew replacement knob pretty easily. I think a very small diameter pulley intended for about a half inch shaft and having a set screw will work for 1/10 the price of the Kubota knob.

davesl708 · Jul 12, 2016

Are you sure the other user did not close the valve?
Vise grips and leather work good for getting a grip on a shaft without chewing it up.
As JWR says for loosening it.
My knob broke and it cost me $2.36 for a new one.