3-Point Hitch 4530 3-point hitch hydraulic question

DenisM · Nov 20, 2007

Still getting used to my 4530. The 3-point lift works fine in the lifting or up direction but does not have any force in the down direction. I have to stand on the arms to get them to fall. Is this normal?? If it is, how can a post hole digger work? I need to sink some posts and am looking for a digger now.

Thanks

RedRiver · Nov 20, 2007

they should come down without having to stand on them. make sure the hydraulic valve is all the way open (the little knob under the seat, between your legs if you are sitting in the seat)

DenisM · Nov 20, 2007

The valve you mentioned is open. What else might cause this problem? Is hydraulic power applied on the down stroke?

xlr82v2 · Nov 20, 2007

Denis,

The phenomenon you describe is fairly normal I think... especially when the tractor is cold. The TPH just needs some weight on it to get it to fall. Once the tractor is warmed up, it should fall just fine.

My 3525 is the same way... actually, most tractors that I've been around have done this at one time or another.

There is no downforce on the 3 Pt. Hitch. It falls by gravity alone... when the hyd oil is cold and thicker, it just takes a few more lbs than what the hitch weighs to get it to go down.

DenisM · Nov 20, 2007

It is starting to get cold around here; the thick oil makes sense.
The valve that was mentioned above, according to what I've read in the owner's manual, is used when moving the tractor to make sure the hitch does not fall; an on-off valve to lock the hitch in the raised position. Can this valve also be used as a variable valve to control the rate of rise and lowering of the hitch?

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Nov 20, 2007

DenisM,

That valve would only control the rate of lowering on your 3PH. There is a little bracket that keeps you from closing that valve all of the way. Remove the bracket and close the valve all of the way, then quickly raise and lower your position control lever a few times. The system will squeal when in the up position, and this is hyd fluid bypassing the system relief valve. This may release some trash in the valve that could be causing your problem. Open the hand valve back up and put back the bracket and try the 3PH. This may or may not help your problem, but it is the first thing I would try. Good luck with it and let us know what transpires.

DenisM · Nov 21, 2007

Tried what Galen suggested with the valve; but hitch still would not lower by itself.
Decided to warm up tractor by riding it down the road. It got up in the 60's today. Anyway, after the oil was good and warm, the hitch lowers by itself; slowly but it goes down by itself. Guess Brian was right.
The tractor needs to be broken in a bit. Will probably change to synthetic oil at first change and this will help also.
Thanks for the info and help.

Denis

MUDONTHETIRES · Nov 21, 2007

DenisM said:
Tried what Galen suggested with the valve; but hitch still would not lower by itself.
Decided to warm up tractor by riding it down the road. It got up in the 60's today. Anyway, after the oil was good and warm, the hitch lowers by itself; slowly but it goes down by itself. Guess Brian was right.
The tractor needs to be broken in a bit. Will probably change to synthetic oil at first change and this will help also.
Thanks for the info and help.

Denis

Hey Denis, just letting you know my new 4530 does the same thing. Stays up or sometimes is slow to lower until warmed up. I have used my post hole digger on it. It works fine with an implement attached.

Mud

DmansPadge · Nov 21, 2007

I'm assuming that you don't have anything attached to the 3pt. hitch... and I have seen several tractors that don't lower well without any weight on them. If you were to put a post hole digger on it... it would lower easily assuming there isn't an actual problem with the tractor.