2305 - "quarter-inching" 3-pt hitch?

[bxowner]

Are you able to adjust the 3-pt hitch on a 2305? Or is it an "all or nothing" type of 3-pt - i.e. all the way up or all the way down. Nothing in between.

I have a TSC 3-pt. frame that I attach a 60 gallon plastic tank to for collecting sap. Wondering if I can set the adjustment at waist-height - it makes pouring sap buckets a lot easier than lifting them high off the ground. But, I don't want the frame to drop all the way to the ground, as it's too low... doesn't seem like a lot of distance, but since it's a fair amount of weight (they're 5 gal. buckets, times 50, which gets heavy after a few days of collecting).

I understand on Kubotas you can stop the 3-point mid way and adjust it up or down in 1/4 inch intervals. Is it the same on this John Deere?

 

[ChuckinNH]

I think if you adjust the height where you want it, and return the lever to the center neutral position, and shut the flow rate (speed) valve off by the seat that the hitch will stay where you put it. Collecting sap is fun, but can be work after a while, might as well have it at a comfortable height!

 

[CHDinCT]

Both tractors will allow you to stop the 3PH at variable heights but the JD has basically one speed for moving the 3PH up and down whereas the BX has the normal motion control/speed plus a quarter inching function which allows you to move the hitch in small increments - sort of a poor man's position control.

 

[megotatractor]

I believe you are referring to "indexing", a feature that the 2305 does NOT have. You can adjust the 3 point by raising and lowering but there is no way to "stop" it and adjust as you describe. There is however a valve near the floor below the seat that allows you to adjust the "speed" that the 3 point will "drop" when you lower it, this valve can also be used to "lock" the 3 point where you want it. In my experience though if there is any weight at all on the hitch the valve is extremely difficult to turn. The next tractor up the line, the 2320 does have indexing on its 3 point control lever.

 

[kennyd]

I believe you are referring to "indexing", a feature that the 2305 does NOT have. You can adjust the 3 point by raising and lowering but there is no way to "stop" it and adjust as you describe. There is however a valve near the floor below the seat that allows you to adjust the "speed" that the 3 point will "drop" when you lower it, this valve can also be used to "lock" the 3 point where you want it. In my experience though if there is any weight at all on the hitch the valve is extremely difficult to turn. The next tractor up the line, the 2320 does have indexing on its 3 point control lever.

The proper term is "position control" rather than indexing-but otherwise your description is accurate.

 

[bxowner]

So, I now understand that if I dial in the knob, I can set the height of the 3-pt hitch. If it's dialed in all the way does it indeed "lock" the hitch in place? Or does it still do a slow bleed?

The other time I see using the 3-pt hitch with this concern is for towing a trailer. I've seen a simple, triangle-shaped receiver hitch that looked nice. If I can lock the 3-pt to a certain height with the dial, then I could tow the trailer "level."

I notice that the 2305 does not have a draw bar. Is one available?

Is there enough depth in the rear frame to mount a tow ball directly to the tractor?

In the x-series accessory catalog, there's a receiver hitch that can be mounted below the rear frame. I'd lose a lot of ground clearance, but at least it wouldn't shift around the way a tow ball mounted to the 3-point might (assuming the lock function of the dial doesn't actually "lock" it in place, but prevents settling - I could see hitting a bump and causing the 3-point to rise - i.e. leveraged up by weight on the back of the trailer).

How much could a 2305 safely tow? Equal to its 1450 lb. weight, assuming no loader is on at the time?

 

[davkir]

So, I now understand that if I dial in the knob, I can set the height of the 3-pt hitch. If it's dialed in all the way does it indeed "lock" the hitch in place? Or does it still do a slow bleed?

The other time I see using the 3-pt hitch with this concern is for towing a trailer. I've seen a simple, triangle-shaped receiver hitch that looked nice. If I can lock the 3-pt to a certain height with the dial, then I could tow the trailer "level."

I notice that the 2305 does not have a draw bar. Is one available?

Is there enough depth in the rear frame to mount a tow ball directly to the tractor?

In the x-series accessory catalog, there's a receiver hitch that can be mounted below the rear frame. I'd lose a lot of ground clearance, but at least it wouldn't shift around the way a tow ball mounted to the 3-point might (assuming the lock function of the dial doesn't actually "lock" it in place, but prevents settling - I could see hitting a bump and causing the 3-point to rise - i.e. leveraged up by weight on the back of the trailer).

How much could a 2305 safely tow? Equal to its 1450 lb. weight, assuming no loader is on at the time?

The manual says the towed weight should not exceed the combined weight of the tractor, ballast and operator. I have a ball mounted to the back of my box blade and use it to move trailers occasionally.
The "rate of drop/lock valve" does keep it from dropping, but, on mine at least, with a heavy load such as a rotary cutter, it still sinks very slowly.

 

[kennyd]

So, I now understand that if I dial in the knob, I can set the height of the 3-pt hitch. If it's dialed in all the way does it indeed "lock" the hitch in place? Or does it still do a slow bleed?

The knob is used to set the lowering speed of the 3PH. While it will "lock"it from lowering, that is NOT what it is intended to do. But note that even with the knob "closed", the 3PH will still raise if you lift it-there is NO downpressure on it so the arms can/will float upwards if lifted. Caution must be take when towing trailers because if the trailer get tailheavy the tongue will raise the 3PH. It can still bleed down also-but should very slowly.

The other time I see using the 3-pt hitch with this concern is for towing a trailer. I've seen a simple, triangle-shaped receiver hitch that looked nice. If I can lock the 3-pt to a certain height with the dial, then I could tow the trailer "level."

Yes, but head the warnings above...

I notice that the 2305 does not have a draw bar. Is one available?

No, There is only a hole to mount a ball or pin a clevis into.

How much could a 2305 safely tow? Equal to its 1450 lb. weight, assuming no loader is on at the time?

It will tow A LOT more than it than it can stop! I have moved about 6000lbs. with my 4110 effortlessly. Be careful!

Are you able to adjust the 3-pt hitch on a 2305? Or is it an "all or nothing" type of 3-pt - i.e. all the way up or all the way down. Nothing in between.

After lowering the 3PH, you should be able to "nudge" the 3PH up with the lever to any height you need-Maybe I am not understanding your question/problem?