John Deere 2240 3 point lever not functioning.

JamesBondo95 · Sunday at 5:30 PM

Hello all, I'm wondering if anyone can give me some pointers on what direction to troubleshoot for this. I'm trying to fix an issue with my grandpa's John Deere 2240. I'm fairly inclined mechanically, but tractors are new for me. We are having an issue with the 3 point (rocker?) lifting arm lever. I wasn't there when the issue started, but according to my grandpa, one day the lever only worked to raise the rocker arms. Overnight when the tractor sat they would slowly lower. That was the only time they went back down. Now they are permanently stuck in the up position and the lever does nothing. The lever moves smoothly and has little resistance. Before tearing into it deeper, I'm wondering if there could be a simple/common cause I am just overlooking? Thanks!!

Harry in Ky · Sunday at 7:46 PM

In your first photo. I see what is probably one of the seat mounting bolts. Forward of that is what looks like a bolt, nut, and short length of flat steel. Using the steel flat bar as a lever, try turning the bolt counter clockwise. If it's fully turned to the right, the three point won't lower. Maybe that's all of your problem.

JamesBondo95 · Sunday at 8:12 PM

Harry in Ky said:
In your first photo. I see what is probably one of the seat mounting bolts. Forward of that is what looks like a bolt, nut, and short length of flat steel. Using the steel flat bar as a lever, try turning the bolt counter clockwise. If it's fully turned to the right, the three point won't lower. Maybe that's all of your problem.

Thanks for the response. I should have mentioned it, but I did mess with that flow control knob. Even so far as taking it out entirely. I am correct that loosening/removing it should open up that valve all the way, right? When I removed the bolt, it seemed like that ball valve was sitting in there pretty deep. Like there was no pressure pushing it up (or it is stuck).

Harry in Ky · Sunday at 9:00 PM

So much for the easy stuff.

Tx Jim · Monday at 5:47 AM

If 3 pt hitch won't lower when control handle is moved forward & rate of drop screw isn't closed 100% then I think cam follower "shaded part in photo below" isn't located in control linkage correctly or is possibly broken. Another possibility is the spring in photo has come loose or is broken. I suggest to acquire a bore scope & view linkage through open hyd oil filler hole.

JamesBondo95 · Tuesday at 10:28 PM

Tx Jim said:
If 3 pt hitch won't lower when control handle is moved forward & rate of drop screw isn't closed 100% then I think cam follower "shaded part in photo below" isn't located in control linkage correctly or is possibly broken. Another possibility is the spring in photo has come loose or is broken. I suggest to acquire a bore scope & view linkage through open hyd oil filler hole.

Thanks for the image. From my further research, that is what I am thinking also. From similar issues I have read about on the internet, it is either that, a bad release valve, or a seized piston. I like the idea of the bore scope before tearing into it.

WinterDeere · Wednesday at 1:39 AM

This is shaping up to be an interesting one. Lots of cheap bore scopes on Amazon these days, which can plug right into your iPhone or Android. Just make sure to get one with lighting, LED visual or infrared. The visual spectrum LED ones have the advantage of sometimes being color, whereas the infrared ones usually are black and white or night-vision green.