3-Point Hitch Properly maintaining hitch and pto

[theaverageJoe]

I bought a used Kubota L3800 and it arrived Friday.

Looks like the hitch and shaft have been left to the elements a little and no visible lubrication on there or the ballbearings etc.

My questions as a new owner are:

How do I clean this level of rust off?
What is the proper way maintain these, what lubricants and how often and how to apply them?

 

[mrmikey]

All I use on mine is a spray of Fluid Film. As for the rust, it appears to be just surface, nothing a wire brush wouldn't clean off.........Mike

 

[WranglerX]

Wire brush to clean and apply "something" that prevents moisture from remaining on exposed surface....

Dale

 

[Agvg]

You do not want to lubricate these things, dry rust dosent let all kinds of dirt stick to it. Have tractors that had regular use the last 50 years and there are no wear going dry.

 

[ruffdog]

I do lube my PTO shaft and 3 point swivel balls. Take the parts apart, wet with a penetrating spray, then thoroughly lube them with used motor oil or even better, marine grease. Be sure to roll the balls around to get them coated good.

 

[Agvg]

PTO shaft I do but the ball ends? Get them full of dirt?

 

[TheMadOne]

I bought a used Kubota L3800 and it arrived Friday.

Looks like the hitch and shaft have been left to the elements a little and no visible lubrication on there or the ballbearings etc.

My questions as a new owner are:

How do I clean this level of rust off?
What is the proper way maintain these, what lubricants and how often and how to apply them?

View attachment 597296

I agree that dry rust is better than sticky grease, especially if you intend to use the machine without anything on the back in dusty conditions. Keep a little grease on the PTO side of each implement yoke and that will take care of itself. Get a PTO shaft cap if you can find one, once the shaft is greased it becomes a dirt magnet. I'd use fluid film or something similar on the balls, if anything at all.

 

[bigtiller]

Hit it with a wire brush as best as you can and then give it a good dose of your favorite spray-dry-lube. I like Liquid Wrench Multi-Purpose Dry Lubricant.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Liquid-W...5v0tHDXWWdjTtpe7uTQVs2iHECiA1F_xoC4kYQAvD_BwE

 

[LouNY]

Looks to me like the 3 pt was used.
Anything that attracts and holds dirt such as oil or grease will increase wear over leaving dry.

 

[ruffdog]

Lubing the swivel balls....:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/378095-lubricating-3-point-assembly.html

https://www.****************.com/forums/large-frame-compact-utility-tractors-lcut/2262-ball-joints-three-point-hitch-lubrication.html

 

[RjCorazza]

I keep all of the ball and socket joints lubed on my machines. Usually smear them with grease, or a spray type grease. Once in a while I'll soak them good with WD-40 spray to clean it all off and re lube.

 

[mcfarmall]

Be sure to roll the balls around to get them coated good.

Always good advice.

 

[ruffdog]

Years ago, working at a bike shop, we would see the bikes with shaft drive wear out the drive splines. If they were not lubed, they would turn rust orange and just wear away. When changing the rear tire, we would always lube those splines up with a high pressure grease. Here are some pics of what it looked like:

How to lubricate the splines in your rear drive • GL15 DIY Articles • goldwingdocs.com

 

[RjCorazza]

Years ago, working at a bike shop, we would see the bikes with shaft drive wear out the drive splines. If they were not lubed, they would turn rust orange and just wear away. When changing the rear tire, we would always lube those splines up with a high pressure grease. Here are some pics of what it looked like:

How to lubricate the splines in your rear drive • GL15 DIY Articles • goldwingdocs.com

Same thing with my (long gone) BMW K1100 splines. It was a royal pain job. Even the hard core BMW guys recommended ONLY the Honda grease that is referenced in the post you linked to.

 

[Agvg]

Well, the the problem with dry PTO shafts are not wear but it does get stuck, the balls on the lifting arm lasts 60 - 70 years and longer dry then I must ask how long are you people planning on using the tractor if you are so concerned with wear? Grease in things that doesn't need it and you have to touch often is very unpleasant, I might have an issue on my MF135 when it passes 100 years, the only problem with that plan are that the tractor and I are almost at the same age....

 

[LD48750]

Well, the the problem with dry PTO shafts are not wear but it does get stuck, the balls on the lifting arm lasts 60 - 70 years and longer dry then I must ask how long are you people planning on using the tractor if you are so concerned with wear? Grease in things that doesn't need it and you have to touch often is very unpleasant, I might have an issue on my MF135 when it passes 100 years, the only problem with that plan are that the tractor and I are almost at the same age....

EVERYTHING should be washed, painted, waxed, & lubed.
And make SURE it never goes outside or gets sun through the windows.
Store it on jack stands so the tires don't rot.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

LOL, ain't that the truth!

SR

 

[Agvg]

That I find a bit amusing is the angst for clocking hours on a tractor, it's a tool.

 

[oosik]

I lube the 3-point ball ends with sticky old grease. Same with the PTO stub. I have a cover that slips over the PTO stub. My ball ends have never been bothered with a build up of dirt or dust. Probably because I don't have or use a bush hog. I do nothing that would raise acres of dust.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Seems many tractor and implement dealers just toss the rubber sleeve / caps for the pto shaft in the trash. Ask yours or get them to order you one. A lightly greased and CLEAN pto shaft sure makes things easier.

The balls on the 3 point I can see going either way on the leave dry or keep greased school of thoughts.