John Deere 3203 slow hitch lift

[Summit111]

New to the forum. My 3203 JD has 250 hours on it and I have an intermittent problem. The three point hitch raises very slowly from time to time. Lowering is no problem. Front end loader works fine all the time.

Fluid is full and inline filter is clean.

Any ideas? Thanks....

 

[Summit111]

Should I pull the main filter and inspect it. How about replacing the fluid?

 

[Kaliburz]

When it raises slowly, is your engine RPM slow or high? Or it varies? I'm not to familiar w/ that model, only the older stuff. Usually when I get a slow raise on my old Deere, it's usually the first raising of the day...oil is cold or the lines have drained and has to refill.

I suppose it would not hurt to look at the main filter, but is the main filter serviceable or just replaceable? I'm guessing it's a spin on filter (like an oil filter, but could be wrong). If the loader works fine all the time, that would mean the oil is flowing good from and too the pump.

 

[Sweats62]

My 3203 is about 7 years old and has around 850 hours on it. Mine behaves much as Kaliburz describes. In the first little bit after starting or when the RPM's are down, it's a dog. Otherwise it's fine. Several hundred hours ago it started kind of barking a little too when the three point was all the way up and the the engine was idling but that hasn't seemed to hurt anything. Hope you're happy with the tractor otherwise. It was a bargain tractor that had about zero popularity and thus had an abbreviated production life. Still, mine has been a real good sport and has taken on everything I've thrown at it. Good luck.

 

[marshall361]

New to the forum. My 3203 JD has 250 hours on it and I have an intermittent problem. The three point hitch raises very slowly from time to time. Lowering is no problem. Front end loader works fine all the time.

Fluid is full and inline filter is clean.

Any ideas? Thanks....

Hello Summit111 and others here. I posted a similar thread on here a while back and no help. I still have the current problem and tractor you seem to have. You have any luck on finding anything out? I had the problem from middle of summer and to this day, but being the bucket works fine I can't quit using it on moving wood to take time to tear down. Any help appreciated. I changed all my fluid, cleaned inline filter and suction filter. Nothing more, but yeah it goes down great and only up partially, but won't pick up my rotary cutter at all now. Thanks FYI

 

[J_J]

Have you put a hyd gage on the tractor and checked the pressure? You may find the loader has good pressure and the 3pt does not.

If that is the case, you may have worn seals on the 3pt lift cyl, or the 3pt valve might be leaking.

If tractor pressure is below specs, try and adjust and if you can't, then your pump might be worn.

Hydraulics:
Type: open center
Capacity: 6.8 gal [25.7 L]
Pressure: 2150 psi [148.2 bar]
Valves: 2
Pump flow: 7.6 gpm [28.8 lpm]
Total flow: 13.3 gpm [50.3 lpm]
Steering flow: 5.7 gpm [21.6 lpm]
Steering press.: 1500 psi [103.4 bar]

 

[marshall361]

Summit111, I have same hydraulic problem you had. Did you ever find the fault. I have a pressure guage, but it looks like the only lines to check are the 4 that go to front bucket. Not sure where to check 3pt lift at or how to check seals. Is this something where you pull the side cover on the lift mechanism? Front still works great so don't want to tear apart till I have some ideas and lose my whole tractor usage. Thanks

 

[J_J]

Your tractor is open center.

Usually all relief valves are set the same.

To only check the 3pt, install a hyd gage in a tee where the line/hose feeds the 3pt.

You could also install the hyd gage in a tee in the IN port of the first valve.

Now when you use any hyd, the pressure will show on the gage.