B3350HSDC pto engagement lever

[tk tom]

While this discussion seems to be solved and there are members in here with the same tractor - have any of you had issues with the cruise control lever slowly dropping and partially engaging? I've had an issue that make it seem like the HST pedal was binding and "ratcheting" when pressed in either direction, and not wanting to release easily from the forward position. I found that it was the cruise lever dropping on it's own probably from vibration. A quick tap of the brake pedal and it pops back up. I lubed the linkage underneath and it seems to have helped. I can see looking up in from underneath that the spring is attached properly, however it looks like a small, weak spring. Tractor is approaching 200hrs.

 

[s219]

While this discussion seems to be solved and there are members in here with the same tractor - have any of you had issues with the cruise control lever slowly dropping and partially engaging? I've had an issue that make it seem like the HST pedal was binding and "ratcheting" when pressed in either direction, and not wanting to release easily from the forward position. I found that it was the cruise lever dropping on it's own probably from vibration. A quick tap of the brake pedal and it pops back up. I lubed the linkage underneath and it seems to have helped. I can see looking up in from underneath that the spring is attached properly, however it looks like a small, weak spring. Tractor is approaching 200hrs.

Had this exact problem on my B2920. In that case, it was the brake pedal mechanism that slowly dragged the cruise lever into engagement whenever the brakes were used -- the linkages are all interconnected. I could tap the brake pedal and see the cruise mechanism move a little every time until it started to engage the HST treadle. Studying and lubing the linkages and mechanism solved that problem. I don't think vibration was a factor at all.

 

[tk tom]

It's kind of the opposite on this one, the brake kicks the cruise back up where it should be. The cruise just falls down on its own. I did lube the mechanism a little underneath with WD-40 and that seemed to help, it didn't happen the last time out. I didn't want to use a grease as it collects more dirt than WD. I'm just curious if maybe a spring could be installed somewhere to completely prevent it from happening again.

 

[s219]

It's kind of the opposite on this one, the brake kicks the cruise back up where it should be. The cruise just falls down on its own. I did lube the mechanism a little underneath with WD-40 and that seemed to help, it didn't happen the last time out. I didn't want to use a grease as it collects more dirt than WD. I'm just curious if maybe a spring could be installed somewhere to completely prevent it from happening again.

Could be, or maybe the current spring is not tensioned enough and can be tweaked -- if it's a tension spring with hook ends, maybe you can drill a new mounting hole on one end to stretch it more and create more tension.

I used to have a can of garage door spray lube that was great for mechanisms like this. Was basically a heavy oil that stayed put when sprayed on. Need to find another can. Fluid film also works well for stuff like this. WD-40 is a lousy lube that will wear off quickly, but you probably know that.

 

[tk tom]

Current spring is a torsion spring, and it's a good long reach up from the bottom. Attachment point is behind the lever, which looks like it requires the steering column to be disassembled to access it. I'm thinking I can add an auxiliary spring elsewhere. For now I think I'll leave it as is and see if anyone else comes up with this issue. If mine is the only one then perhaps I'm missing something, if it happens to others then I may try to find an easy fix.

For the lube I didn't want anything overly sticky as there is a friction point there (hence the need for lube LOL) and I don't want dirt getting caked on. I like fluid film etc but feared accumulating grit and wearing it out prematurely. I'm sure the WD is collecting junk as we speak, though

 

[s219]

Current spring is a torsion spring, and it's a good long reach up from the bottom. Attachment point is behind the lever, which looks like it requires the steering column to be disassembled to access it. I'm thinking I can add an auxiliary spring elsewhere. For now I think I'll leave it as is and see if anyone else comes up with this issue. If mine is the only one then perhaps I'm missing something, if it happens to others then I may try to find an easy fix.

For the lube I didn't want anything overly sticky as there is a friction point there (hence the need for lube LOL) and I don't want dirt getting caked on. I like fluid film etc but feared accumulating grit and wearing it out prematurely. I'm sure the WD is collecting junk as we speak, though

I guess the other option is to rig some sort of "lockout" to keep the cruise lever from moving unless you want it to. Could be a bar that swings up under the lever. Or heck, if you don't use cruise, just use some wire to hold it in place behind the dash. I remember when I had the issue with my 2920, realizing I had never seen the need for cruise in the two years I owned that tractor.

I think it's a losing battle with lube on a tractor if you work in dusty conditions. One thing I like about greased joints is that pumping in new grease should at least be pushing the old grease and any contaminants out. For stuff that needs spray or brush-on lube, you pretty much have to accept it's going to attract dirt/dust. Applying minimally and strategically helps. Of all my lubes, I like Fluid Film in the can with brush in the lid since it's so easy to apply sparingly and specifically. Beats spray cans, nozzles, sticks, etc...