3320 rockshaft doesn't rock

[jdjllee]

Why won't my the rockshaft move up or down? The tractor has a 375 hoe installed when I bought. Does the rock shaft not work with hoe installed.
opened drop speed valve all the way at bottom of seat. Nothing happens when I move the move the lift/lower lever. No hydraulics noise no nthing.
Is it disconnected with the hoe in place?

 

[KB9UDE]

The rockshaft will not work with the hoe installed. When you take the hoe off and hook up the short hyd hose loop it will work...


John

 

[Cocre]

Actually the rockshaft does work (or should work) with the hoe installed. You are supposed to use the lift to remove the hoe. With the hoe mounted and set to be removed, shut down the tractor, remove the two hydraulic quick disconnects that supply and return fluid to/from the hoe. Connect the one tractor attached hose that should be laying on top of the PTO cover (or there abouts) to the tractor attached fitting on the right rear, it makes a quick loop. Put the rubber covers on all the other fittings. Crank the tractor up and remove the hoe using the rockshaft lift.

At least that is the way it is supposed to happen. If you have issues, I wrote some details on my method in a previous thread.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

The Rockshaft is used to mount and unmount the BH. If the BH is on, position the BH bucket as per the manual then the two Power Beyond hoses need to be disconnected from the BH and then the loop hose that will be lying there loose needs to be plugged into the PB circuit. Now use the Rockshaft control to raise the BH slightly - remove the L-Pins and lower with the Rockshaft control

 

[jdjllee]

Ok guys thanks. I saw that disconnected loop there but didn't know what it was for. For some reason I thought the rock shaft would be plumbed up internal. Maybe I better read the manuals a little better.

 

[sdicesare]

Ok guys thanks. I saw that disconnected loop there but didn't know what it was for. For some reason I thought the rock shaft would be plumbed up internal. Maybe I better read the manuals a little better.

I read the entire thread on the 3320 rockshaft. I have a similar problem on my 3720, and I have connected the hoses as described. Rockshaft still will not move up or down. Rate of drop control is in mid-range. The machine has 20 hours total.

 

[Cocre]

With the backhoe hydraulics disconnected there is only one hose to connect. It makes a loop and connects right above where it plumbs from. If it is connected correctly, disconnect it and reconnect it again. Make certain that the quick connect is locked. It may look connected and not be.

The rate of drop knob has no impact, on the lift only the drop rate.

 

[sdicesare]

With the backhoe hydraulics disconnected there is only one hose to connect. It makes a loop and connects right above where it plumbs from. If it is connected correctly, disconnect it and reconnect it again. Make certain that the quick connect is locked. It may look connected and not be.

The rate of drop knob has no impact, on the lift only the drop rate.

I have repeatedly connected and disconnected the one hose to which you refer. The collar on the female disconnect snaps forward and a stiff pull cannot remove it.

 

[kennyd]

I have repeatedly connected and disconnected the one hose to which you refer. The collar on the female disconnect snaps forward and a stiff pull cannot remove it.

There are two "return" fittings that the PB hose can plug into...one bypasses the 3PH and goes directly to the tank, the other feeds the 3PH and is used when the hoe is removed.

 

[sdicesare]

There are two "return" fittings that the PB hose can plug into...one bypasses the 3PH and goes directly to the tank, the other feeds the 3PH and is used when the hoe is removed.

The PB that is on my 3720 has only two fittings. One is the pressure fitting (looking at the tractor from the rear looking forward it is on the right) It is a female quick connect. The other is a male plug, which is the return fitting (looking at the tractor from the rear looking forward it is on the left). John Deere says that the return fitting is not used when the hoe is removed. It should be capped. So I really don't see where the "second of the two "return" fittings as you describe are located. If you could she some light on that, it might solve the problem. Thanks

 

[kennyd]

On the bracket there is two return fittings, #6 and #12.

#12 feeds directly to the tank bypassing the 3PH.

The picture I posted is for the OS tractor, not the CAB model.

 

[sdicesare]

On the bracket there is two return fittings, #6 and #12.

#12 feeds directly to the tank bypassing the 3PH.

The picture I posted is for the OS tractor, not the CAB model.

OK, yes and I have the OS tractor. In preparing to detach the hoe, there is only one hose and associated quick connect which will hook up to #6. I think that I know that #12 is a by-pass used only when the hoe is being used. I used a plastic dust cap to seal #12 and hooked up the other hose and quick connect to #6. I think that is the way it is described in the manual.

 

[Cocre]

Your hydraulics are connected correctly. Can you raise the lift arms manually? Is the hoe still on the tractor? If the hoe is still on, the arms cannot drop much because they are hung in the hoe hooks, and may not lift sufficiently to remove the hoe if not adjusted correctly (see below). Did the hoe work correctly when attached?

There is a rockshaft height adjustment mechanism on the left lift arm. Make certain it has not come loose or something. Its adjustment determines the max lift of the hitch arms. The "feedback rod" is lengthened to increase lift. Do not adjust it (too long) to where the system goes into relief. Should be 17.7 inches from center of lift arm pin to top of PTO cover.

With only 20 hrs on the machine I wouldn't monkey with it too much, just call the dealer.

 

[kennyd]

So your hose is currently connected to the #6 fitting, and your 3PH still will not move?

Does your machine sounds "labored" while running? That hose has the full flow of the pump going through it whenever the tractor is running, so if is not connected or blocked it will send the PRV (pressure relief valve) into relief putting a load on the engine and often making a squealing sound.

If none of the above are happening, I am at a loss except for checking the fluid level. At only 20 hours you need to get your dealer involved.

 

[sdicesare]

Your hydraulics are connected correctly. Can you raise the lift arms manually? Is the hoe still on the tractor? If the hoe is still on, the arms cannot drop much because they are hung in the hoe hooks, and may not lift sufficiently to remove the hoe if not adjusted correctly (see below). Did the hoe work correctly when attached?

There is a rockshaft height adjustment mechanism on the left lift arm. Make certain it has not come loose or something. Its adjustment determines the max lift of the hitch arms. The "feedback rod" is lengthened to increase lift. Do not adjust it (too long) to where the system goes into relief. Should be 17.7 inches from center of lift arm pin to top of PTO cover.

With only 20 hrs on the machine I wouldn't monkey with it too much, just call the dealer.

Thanks for your reply. Answers to your questions:
While the hoe was attached, and with it's weight on the L-pins, the rockshaft arms moved freely, but only an inch or so, until they contacted the hoe lift hooks.
I have removed the hoe with the stabilizers/bucket.
The hoe worked perfectly while attached.
The linkage you mentioned seems to be solidly in place and within spec as you describe.
The hoe has been on since purchase. Does the rockshaft need any cycling to work?

 

[sdicesare]

So your hose is currently connected to the #6 fitting, and your 3PH still will not move?

Does your machine sounds "labored" while running? That hose has the full flow of the pump going through it whenever the tractor is running, so if is not connected or blocked it will send the PRV (pressure relief valve) into relief putting a load on the engine and often making a squealing sound.

If none of the above are happening, I am at a loss except for checking the fluid level. At only 20 hours you need to get your dealer involved.

That is correct. The "tractor" hose as differentiated from the "hoe" hose is connected to #6.

The machine sounds normal when running, in other words it does not sound labored as if the pumps are over pressure.

I already have my dealer involved, but the machine is in use remotely, so I have to decide when/if to trailer it if I cannot solve this problem.
Thanks.

 

[Cocre]

I don't know what to recommend next. Keep us informed as to the solution. When I bought my 3320 (used) it had 185 hours on it and the hoe had never been off, as soon as the hoe came off the lift worked.

You do understand that the lift only lifts? It does not lower except by gravity. With the rate of drop in the middle with no attachment the arms may not lower unless you press on them. If you push them down do the arms lift using the rockshaft control lever?

 

[sdicesare]

I don't know what to recommend next. Keep us informed as to the solution. When I bought my 3320 (used) it had 185 hours on it and the hoe had never been off, as soon as the hoe came off the lift worked.

You do understand that the lift only lifts? It does not lower except by gravity. With the rate of drop in the middle with no attachment the arms may not lower unless you press on them. If you push them down do the arms lift using the rockshaft control lever?

Yes, I understand that the lift arms only lift. You ask an important question that I have not fully tested. This was the reason for my "cycle" question earlier. In order to "lift", do the rockshaft arms need to fall fully to the lowest position? I am not sure that I have done this yet. The rockshaft arms seem to move freely, but I have not "cycled" them from full up to down. Could this be a solution?

 

[Cocre]

The arms do not have to drop to the bottom to lift, but you may very well have air in the system and perhaps manually pushing the arms all the way down (turn the drop rate valve all the way to the rabbit, counter clockwise I think and they may drop on their own) and then raise them with the control and drop them again, several times and who knows, it may work.

 

[JD4ME2]

I got a new 3320 with the 485 hoe delivered a week ago saturday and had the same problem. The dealer came out and tried to get the 3 point hitch to work with no luck. They
came back the next day and took it back to the shop. They got the hoe off and said that
a hose was hooked up wrong from the factory? They put the hoe back on and brought it
back to me last Friday. I was able to take the hoe off with a little help from the stabilizers.
The 3 point hitch seems fine now.