Drifting 3PH

[TommyP]

I need a little help, please. I have 19 hours on my JD 2210 and I am frustrated with the 3PH drifting down to the ground when I have ballast on, whether it is my rear bade or the ballast box which only has about 250 lbs. in it. I tore the crap out of my lawn in a few spots tonight when I was too lazy and in a hurry to get the yard mowed before I had to get to work. In my haste I neglected to take off the ballast box and the FEL before I mowed. what a mistake! How do I keep the 3PH from drifting down when doing work and moving over bumpy ground?
Trust me I know the right answer. Take it off before I mow, but what about when I am using the FEL and the ballast drops down and I tear something up?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I suppose I could look at it as a way to spend more time playing in the dirt!
Thanks

 

[_RaT_]

I don't understand something here. Does'nt you position lever when at the top simply raise a 3 pt hitch to the top whenever your engine is running? I must be confused about the hydraulics on the new smaller compacts. On my tractor, after a few day's and forgetting and leaving my parked tractor's 3 ph in the raised position, will drop some. As soon as it is started, it raises providing the 3 ph position lever is in the up position.

 

[Henro]

Rat,

The smaller tractors don't have position control. My BX Kubota has a lever that if put in the up position stays there until up is reached, then it goes back to center. Or you put it back to center yourself when the hitch reaches the height you want it to be.

So I guess the hydraulics are left to hold or leak down at will, so to speak. Kind of like a loader will hold or leak down, depending on the hardware one happens to get.

The position control on my B2910 Kubota is like you describe. It holds position, and if the tractor would be parked and the 3ph would drop, as soon as the engine is started the 3PH will lift back up to the set point.

Hummmm...I see a future safety interlock in the works...position control must be set to zero before engine may be started... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[EricL]

Have you checked with your Dealer?

I can't see it to be normal for the 3PH to leak down while the engine is running.

 

[BubbaJr]

I am assuming that you have a mid mount mower. Is the mower deck height controlled by the same lever that controls the 3PH? On my Kubota the MMM deck height is adjusted by raising the 3PH because the MMM linkage is on top of the 3PH arms. If yours is made the same way, then whenever you adjust the height of the MMM, whatever you have on the 3PH is going to go up and down also.

If this is the case, then you are right, you need to remove whatever is hooked to the 3PH before mowing. If however you have separate controls for the MMM and 3PH, then you need to have your dealer look at it, as the 3PH shouldn't move while the engine is running unless you move it.

 

[GaryK]

It is common for the FEL or 3PT to leak down when the tractor is off and most manuals will give the normal leak down distance etc. Yours sounds like a warranty problem with only 19 hours on it, it should not be leaking down when running.

 

[_RaT_]

Well that explains it. Now, why would they do this? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[TommyP]

Bubba, Yes I do have a MMM that is controled with the 3PH, but why does the ballast drift/leak down after it is in a set postion when the tractor is running. This is frustrating because it is not only when mowing but when using the FEL, all of a sudden I find myself dragging the ballast around.

 

[BubbaJr]

Hi Tommy,

How are you locking up the 3PH while you are mowing? I'm not familiar with your tractor. However, if the engine is running and you have the 3PH lifted, and it is dropping without any input from you, you have a leak in the 3PH hydraulics that needs the attention of your dealer. Call them and explain what is happening.

Good Luck /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PS. It will be a lot easier to manuver while mowing without the FEL and ballast box attached. Also it will be easier on your grass.

 

[JDFANATIC]

Tommy,

I also have a new 2210 and have filled my weight bucket with concrete (the manual says this should add ~ 682 lbs) and have almost no sagging when using it. Sounds to me like you have some kind of a leak. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif