3-Point Hitch 3-point lift problem on new tractor

[dfkrug]

I have searched the archives and not found my answer.

I just got a new Bobcat CT230, which is the same machine as my Kioti
CK30, which I have used for years.

I was testing out the new machine with a box blade, and I noticed that
the 3-pt hitch initially would raise the BB up pretty high. When I started
using it, I found that sometimes it would not rise very high at all, even with
the position control level at the top limit of its travel. Other times, it would
rise as high as I would expect. My first guess was that I was low on
hyd fluid and the intermittancy of the problem was due to the position of
the tractor on different slopes.

So I bought the tractor back to my workshop and added some fluid, though
the dipstick showed midrange full. The 3-pt would not lift more than 6-8in
off the ground! The pump made no different noise, there was no relief
valve sound, the FEL works fine. I cycled the BB up and down multiple
times, and it would not go higher. Rate-of-drop valve is fully open.

This tractor has position control, but no draft control, though DC is an
option that is described in the parts and service manuals that I have (CK30).

My suspicion is that there is an assembly problem with some linkage inside
the 3-pt cyl housing. There are two large hex caps on the right rear side
of the gearcase and one of them was not fully seated. I tightened it up.
A look in the two manuals indicates they are "pins" and seem to be part
of the draft control system. Since I do not have that option, I wonder
what these pins connect to. Has anyone on TBN had their gearcase open?
I may have to take the 3-pt cyl housing off the top of the gearcase to
fix this. Or have Bobcat come and get it. I doubt anyone at Bobcat has
tackled a problem like this, however. Not sure I want them in there,
warranty or not.

 

[IslandTractor]

Your analysis makes sense. I don't recall anyone having such a problem. I have had similar experiences with the 3PT my DK40se but it was always related to having accidentally moved the draft control lever.

 

[NSBound]

.... I doubt anyone at Bobcat has
tackled a problem like this, however. Not sure I want them in there,
warranty or not.

I dunno, on a brand new machine that's not working right, I'd be on to the dealer. A goodly portion of your purchase price covers this! Plus, if you screw with it and mess it up, you can forget any ancillary warranty coverage!

 

[dfkrug]

Your analysis makes sense. I don't recall anyone having such a problem. I have had similar experiences with the 3PT my DK40se but it was always related to having accidentally moved the draft control lever.

I saw your posts when I did searches to see if anyone had this problem.
Don't most of the DKs come with the draft control option? I have never
had that option, but I understand that it uses a feedback mechanism to
automatically raise and lower the three point under certain conditions.
I wonder if my machine has all those internal parts in there even
without the draft control option. There is also an articulated toplink
bracket option that has an internal shock-absorbing spring. It is in the
manual, but is not an option available here.

The CKs have not been around long enough for most owners to have any
serious problems related to the gearbox and 3-pt internals, apparently.

BTW, the internals of my Deere 3-pt cyl housing are very simple. No draft
control stuff in there. All position control is handled with the hyd valve
mounted to the outside of the cyl housing.

 

[IslandTractor]

The new DKs all come with draft control. Although I have read about it I don't actually understand it very well and because I don't plow I have no particular use for it. It is supposed to keep a plow at a set depth. For me it serves mostly just as a "fake" position control lever that I sometimes grab by mistake when reaching without looking.

 

[Highbeam]

I don't think it holds it at a set depth, that is position control. Instead it keeps the "load" on the tractor from the plow constant by raising and lowering the implement. So the plow would run deep in soft soil and then if you started hitting heavy wet clay, the draft gadget would raise the plow to only load up the tractor so much.

I agree it is not a feature that I would want or need.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm happy to defer to Highbeam. I just know it is useful for plowing and not much else.

 

[dfkrug]

Here is an update.

My paved parking area next to my workshop is about a 10% slope (which
is flat around here). If I park my tractor with the right side downhill,
the 3-pt hitch rises all the way up. If I turn the tractor around 180 degrees
and the left side is downhill, my BB will only lift 6" off the ground. That
supports my theory of a linkage problem internally.

Do ANY M27 tractors like my CT230 even come with draft control in the US?