Does your 3-point take a hydraulic beating

OkieG · Aug 29, 2004

For long transports down a gravel road, I always just let my tailwheel ride on the road 

Me too. With the implement in the air, the shock loading on the hydraulics worries me a bit when I hit bumps traveling at road speed. Road speed for my tractor is something less than 11mph. BrushHog tail wheel seems to suffer very little abuse at that speed when riding on the roadway.

OkieG

ZJ_HR · Aug 29, 2004

Shock loadind on hydraulic system is softer for tractor than shock to mechanic latch. Bigger tractors (with EHR) have sway control, not a locking system. That means that hyd system is used to stabilize shock caused by long implement on bumpy road, by dropping implement a little, when tractor nose want to jump.

MMM · Aug 29, 2004

aka cushion valve. Sounds like one in same for my industrial.

Soundguy · Aug 30, 2004

( My last tractor had a feature that once the 3-point was lifted with an attached implement you could then throw a lever to lock the load in place. At that point you could relive the hydraulic pressure on the lift mechanism )

One problem.. the 'stress' isn't of the hyd components. In every case I've seen.. that 'lock' is simply some sort of way to close off the exhaust or unloading valve on the 3pt.

The hyd lift cylinder, and the valving is still under full load. Closing that off and driving down a bumpy road thinking you have eased the stress on the hyds is a little off track.

May make it worse.. hard to say where the relief is in the system.. might make it blow the exhaust valve if you hit a bump hard enough.

Soundguy

KiotiJohn · Aug 31, 2004

( May make it worse.. hard to say where the relief is in the system.. might make it blow the exhaust valve if you hit a bump hard enough.)
If that's the case Chris, I wonder my my MFG and the others that posted recommend shutting off the drop speed when in transport. Seems crazy that they would say that if there's damage possible. Anyone doing so would certainly argue warranty coverage for the mishap.
I'm certainly not disagreeing with you, just wondering given the case. John

MMM · Aug 31, 2004

OK Mike, here's some evidence of the forces. I just had the proprietary top link for the big Servis cutter straightened and pin bosses built up and bored for new bushings. I was temporarily using setup smilar to Jimman's. Cutting the farm involves some rough terrain and erosion terraces on the hillier parts. Going over one causes extreme changes in cutter trajectory and evidently serious forces, as I broke a brand new 5/8 Gr8 off the bracket on one of the front support chains. Don't remember tensile strenth of that bolt, but I'm sure it's way up there. I just came back from town with a gr5 to see if less brittle will work better. I didn't dare try and cut with just lift arms after seeing that bolt break.

PineRidge · Aug 31, 2004

I didn't fall asleep on you guys as I have been reading all the different posts made on this subject. It has made for some very interesting reading and there have been some very good points made here regarding the shock loads imposed of the 3 point hydraulic system. I have always wondered if any damage was possible while transporting my brush hog over rough terrain and I think Jinman did a very good job of clearing that point up for me. Thanks Jim.

MMM is this the first time that you sheared a bolt for the support chains or is this a regular occurrence? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

OkieG · Aug 31, 2004

My Ops. Manual, in typical fashion, tells what the 3PH hyd. drop control/lock valve does (ie controls drop and locks the lift arms in place), but not HOW to use it. It cautions not to use the lock feature as a failsafe way to safely crawl under a rear implement. It also says heavier implements will drop faster than light ones, so adjust accordingly, duh! Although, once I adjusted mine, years ago, I haven't touched it since. No mention is made of using the lock for transport. As small as my tractor is, I like having the tailwheel of the brushcutter on the ground during transport anyway. Other rear implements, like the tiller and boxblade don't hang out so far back and don't give me the creeps like going down the road with a bouncing brushcutter hanging in the air.

OkieG

KiotiJohn · Aug 31, 2004

( Other rear implements, like the tiller and boxblade don't hang out so far back and don't give me the creeps like going down the road with a bouncing brushcutter hanging in the air.)
I never have understood why it would be advisable to have a 3pt implement lifted while transporting on a trailer. Makes sense to have loader and implement firmly down.
I think in manuals they refer to transport a lot only meaning while driving distance with the tractor. It makes sense there, but I understand wanting to keep the tailwheel on the ground. I don't do it, because if I hit something, a bump, etc. it gives me a feeling of instability at full speed. John

OkieG · Aug 31, 2004

gives me a feeling of instability at full speed 

Exactly. Plus, it just feels like it must be a strain on the 3PH and hydraulics when the cutter bounces.

I've seen a big tractor (50ish hp) cutting a field in a hurry. The operator would lift the cutter up at the end of each pass and swing around quickly to start the next pass. The tractor handled the cutter like a toy. He would have no problem transporting his cutter in the air. My cutter feels like it moves the tractor when it bounces or sways. Tail wheel on the ground improves my feeling of well being.

OkieG