3pt is to Fast and Lock????

[Anonymous Poster]

When I lower my rear ballast box it goes very fast, if I turn knob to slow it seems very jerky when going down?? Is it necessary to always store tractor with ballast box down? Any tips on keeping sand in it dry? Is it necessary? Should I run with it all the way up? Or set to "mower" setting, mid way?

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>Re: When I lower my rear ballast box it goes very fast, if I turn knob to slow it seems very jerky when going down</font color=blue>

If it's jerky going down that can usually be cured by turning the knob to slow it down even more (or at least that's the way it's worked on my Kubotas). Ideally you would keep ballast as low as possible when in use, so long as it's high enough to not be hitting on the ground (I guess that's your mid way or "mower" setting). And when the tractor is stored or parked, so long as all the hydraulic seals and valves are in good shape with no leaks, the ballast box should stay up if that's where you left it, but I won't take a chance on it accidentally lowering later. Besides that, why have pressure on the seals when it isn't necessary? In other words, when I park my tractor, I lower everything to the ground.

Bird

 

[DFB]

Carl, I'm only going to reinforce what has already been said. As usual Birds' advice is right on the money and if you check the operators manual Deere instructs you to lower all equipment to the ground when stopping the tractor. My 4100 exhibits the same action with the ballast box on the tractor. I would guess the weight of the loaded box has got something to with it. It must be close to the limits of the 3-point lift (930lbs@24") and at least double the weight of usual 3-point implement. I can move most my implements when need be but I can barely budge that loaded ballast box. I think if you posted the dimensions of the box someone on this board could approximate the weights with different materials. I for one would be curious to learn what they are. Anyways my experience with the 4100 is that ALL your hydraulics will eventually leak down especially the loader so for safety reasons keep things lowered when your not using them.

 

[Thomas]

Bird,
Got a question for I'm stumped. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif
Like on the B7100 there a chain for the 3pt which can be adjusted for different heights for attachments also ballast and the hook located under the seat.
Did Kubota discontinue this feature?

For I lift my 3pt hitch all the way up than hook the chain tight under the seat,than lower the 3pt hitch until there no pressure on the 3pt hitch.
The reason why I do this less strain on the hydraulic system when not in use and just ballast on the rear....is this right or wrong??

Do all newer Kubota still offer the chain setup also JD & NH?

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[TomG]

Two more reasons for sitting everything down weren't mentioned. First reason is safety. Kids play, hoses rupture etc. Implements and loaders can drop very fast even when the tractor isn't running. Sitting everything down is a simple thing that can prevent a serious accident. Tires are the other reason. I left a bucket loaded with a bit of ballast and a heavy 3ph implement up for several days. It was cool, but not cold. I started down the highway at road speed, and it was like riding a horse at a canter for a 1/2-mile or so. Of course, that probably wouldn't happen if I had radial tires.

I haven't experienced jerkiness when lowering the 3ph, irrespective of the weight or flow control valve setting. If Bird's suggestion doesn't cure the problem, I'd look at the 3ph arms to see if they're binding in some way, and maybe put another implement on the 3ph to see if the jerkiness persists. I'd also note if the jerkiness occurs only when the hitch control lever is barely in a lower position, or whether it occurs throughout the lever range. Another possible cure is changing the hydraulic oil and filter if there's any doubt about it's condition. I decided to assume that a former owner carried out scheduled maintenance, and I didn't change oil until the next scheduled time. I was developing some minor hydraulic oddities that went away after I changed the oil.

 

[Bird]

Thomas, my B7100 had that chain, but my B2710 does not, nor does it have that place to hook one. And I don't recall seeing such a chain on any other new Kubotas. I don't recall for sure, but doesn't the manual say something to the effect that the purpose of the chain is to ensure that implements aren't accidentally lowered during transport. And since the B7100 doesn't have position control, I thought it might be handy to set a particular height so when an implement was raised, it could be lowered back to the same height or depth. But in reality, I only experimented with it a couple of times, then never used it. If you just must leave an implement raised for some reason or other when the tractor is parked, then it should serve as an additional safety device, but I just don't want to leave an implement raised; I'd rather lower it to the ground.

Bird

 

[roysallis]

Lowering all implements is for safety but it will also slow someone down if they are trying to steal it.

 

[Bird]

Yep, it could slow down a thief, and it also provides an additional parking brake./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird