3-Point Hitch does not stay in a raised postion and draws down engine

[swampercj]

I've got a JD 3203 and my 3 point hitch it acting up, When raising the 3 point it will hit the top stop and start to lug the engine down as if it were trying to lift a heavy load contousley. Also it will not stay in one position, it's either full up lugging down the motor or bleeding off drifting down. I've disconnected the rock staft adjustable linkage that goes to the 3 point hitch and moved it full full travel and it does nothing to fix any problems. I have not not changed the fluid/filter because the symptoms, don't seem to match dirty fluid or filter, since the front loader seams to opertate just fine. Any help would be appreciated.

Scott

 

[kennyd]

Welocme to TBN Scott

Definitely sounds like a linkage or valve problem...You may want to order the service manual from JD for troubleshooting this.

 

[RoyJackson]

Welocme to TBN Scott

Definitely sounds like a linkage or valve problem...You may want to order the service manual from JD for troubleshooting this.

Yep...unless the tractor is still in warranty. If so, let the dealer fix it. BTW, was this 3PH problem from day one, or recent?

 

[swampercj]

Yep...unless the tractor is still in warranty. If so, let the dealer fix it. BTW, was this 3PH problem from day one, or recent?

It wasn't from day one, the 3PH never seemed to work as I thought it should. Would drift down ever so little while working, never truely keeping its height adjustment. Right after the warrenty period is when it really started to act up. Now I have to adjust the rate of drop knob to keep the hitch at the required height.

 

[swampercj]

Well since I haven't gotten a whole lot feadback on this, I'm gonna tear it down and see what I come up with. Shoot worse case I'll spend $430 for a new valve.

 

[swampercj]

Well I tore into the tractor and found the lower rockshaft valve linkage frozen along with a sheared roll pin. After several hours of soaking the linkage and hitting it with a hammer I finally got it unfrozen, then replaced the roll pin and adjusted the linkage. 3 point now stayes where its set however, it still will lug the engine down when full up. I played with the linkage for about an hour and it doesn't matter how I set it.

I was really surprised at how much stuff I had to pull just to get access to change a $1. part