3-Point Hitch BX25 Quarter-inching valve won't turn

pittsville · Mar 23, 2012

My BX25 is about 3 years old and I've never had any trouble with it so far.

A couple of times I had to adjust the nut that allows the deck height to go into the "TOP" position. I had to adjust it a few days ago after having the deck off to grease it and sharpen the blades.

I don't know if that has an effect on the quarter-inching valve, but the knob that adjusts the valve will not turn at all. I saw in the manual that it has a lock position and I tried turning it in the opposite direction of that position, but it really seems like it doesn't want to turn and I don't want to force it too much.

The mower deck and the 3 point hitch drop fairly quickly, so I assume it is frozen in a position that allows for faster movement. I tried turning it with the hitch all the way up, and all the way down but it still wouldn't turn.

Has anyone had this problem, or know what can be causing it? Any help would be appreciated.

pittsville · Mar 25, 2012

I tried again to turn the quarter-inching knob and I thought I felt some slight movement, so I turned it harder and it will turn, but it's a lot harder to turn than I remember it being in the past, and it's hard to turn through the whole range of rotation that I tried turning it, about 180 degrees or less. It didn't seem like it was loosening up any.

I can't say if it might be a good idea to turn that knob once in a while if you have one, to keep it from sticking, but it probably wouldn't hurt.

I would still like to know why it is so hard to turn, and I'm worried that it might have a shaft seal for the knob shaft that might start leaking or something. I never messed with it a lot before but I wanted to fool around with it to test it as I was preparing the tractor for the summer and that's when I found that it was almost stuck, and then hard to turn.

I think if I take a rear wheel off I might be able to see where the knob shaft goes into the transmission or whatever it goes into, so I might try to do that before I try turning it any more. If I find out anything I will post it here.

uglyboywith11fingers · Mar 25, 2012

The knob you refer to as the quarter-inching valve is in fact just the control for the 3-pt hitch lowering speed. Turn this knob to the left for faster drop, to the right for slower drop, tight to the right to 'lock'.
Quarter-inching refers to a feature that uses a couple of brackets that work in conjunction with the 3-pt hitch control lever (and are usually not adjusted properly on a BX) so that you can raise or lower your hitch attachment a quarter inch at a time. Do a search in this forum for several discussions on quarter-inching.
The rate of drop control on my BX24 (5 years old) turns quite easily, so if yours is really hard to turn, maybe somebody has really reefed it tight left or right and jammed the threads inside.
I imagine it just opens and closes a bleed orifice in the 3-pt hydraulics.

Pete

radioman · Mar 25, 2012

A couple of times I had to adjust the nut that allows the deck height to go into the "TOP" position. I had to adjust it a few days ago after having the deck off to grease it and sharpen the blades.

I would check the nut that is welded on that adjustment bar. mine came off due to poor welds. Take the left rear tire off and inspect that bar.

I don't know if that has an effect on the quarter-inching valve, but the knob that adjusts the valve will not turn at all. I saw in the manual that it has a lock position and I tried turning it in the opposite direction of that position, but it really seems like it doesn't want to turn and I don't want to force it too much.

When making height adjustment for MMM, you should ALWAYS lift all the way before trying to turn that height dial from top to high numbers to low. Never try to go from low numbers to high, if you miss your desired height, go around again.

just like pittsville is saying- quarter inch valve is utilized by moving the up/down 3 pt lever to the metal stops by pulling lever towards to rub on plastic slot before moving. Look on right side of rear tire and and find that metal tabs sticking out. get a cresent wrench and bend down so it sticks out a little better so you can feel the lever bump onto the slow movement of quarter inching valve.

The mower deck and the 3 point hitch drop fairly quickly, so I assume it is frozen in a position that allows for faster movement. I tried turning it with the hitch all the way up, and all the way down but it still wouldn't turn.

This is controlled by know on right side of your feet. just close that flow valve to control down speed of both 3 pt and MMM. remember, if you are hanging something on 3 pt, it will force a faster down speed on MMM, just adjust that dial to your desired speed according to weight.

pittsville · Mar 25, 2012

Thanks for the replies and the advice. I tried to turn the knob again today and it's back to working like it's supposed to.

I guess it just got stuck in one position from not being turned in a while.

I'm still not able to get the height adjuster into the TOP position at times. I have to slightly drop the deck from the fully raised position before it will go to TOP, so I guess i have to do some more adjusting on that.

radioman · Mar 26, 2012

pittsville said:
Thanks for the replies and the advice. I tried to turn the knob again today and it's back to working like it's supposed to.

I guess it just got stuck in one position from not being turned in a while.

I'm still not able to get the height adjuster into the TOP position at times. I have to slightly drop the deck from the fully raised position before it will go to TOP, so I guess i have to do some more adjusting on that.

drop? umm I think the bolt adjustment is turned in too far. When its up all the way, it shouldn't be needed to drop so you can turn the knob. However I wonder if the bolt stops adjustments on the deck is too high? I would check both the deck bolt stops and 3 pt bolt adjustment.

pittsville · Aug 21, 2013

When the implement lowering speed knob was stuck the last time, I said I would operate it often to keep it moving. I didn't. Now, it is stuck again. A week ago I turned it with a giant pair of pliers and it seemed to loosen up some, but now it won't move, except for a small amount of play that gives me the feeling that something is about to break. I can't see where the knob shaft goes to. I tried to look from every angle, and with a rear wheel off. From the top it is under the fuel tank. I wish I had more information on this valve, and what can be done to keep it operating freely. If I ever get the information I will update it here.
Instant Update: I went out and was able to turn the knob, but it wasn't easy. As it gets away from the closed position, it gets looser, but it's still too tight.....

On the problem of the deck not going into top position, I haven't had the problem in a long time, since I moved the adjustment bolt a little.