3-Point Hitch L3800 3pt lift position handle adjustment affects FEL power

kg7il · May 31, 2015

When I lift my 3pt, all is well until the last inch or so. At this point it sounds like the hydraulics are either 1) dumping pressure or 2)straining.

The real symptom is the loss of power I feel at the front end loader. If I back off the 3pt position control lever, I can hear the change, and the power is resumed. If it is in full 'up' position, I consistently can reproduce the loss of power to the other hydraulics.

Any ideas. ? I can't tell from my research if this is an external adjustment or if I need to take her in for an internal adjustment.

gwdixon · May 31, 2015

That is exactly how the hydraulics work. Especially on a single pump system.

The smaller the hydraulic pump, the more noticeable is the phenomenon. An example is the BX series.

The change in sound you hear is the pump going into relief. At that point, there is little or no pressure to operate hydraulic equipment (like a FEL).

whis · May 31, 2015

it needs adjusting, I can't tell you how with out looking at it, for now don't raise it all the way up

pmsmechanic · May 31, 2015

whis said:
it needs adjusting, I can't tell you how with out looking at it, for now don't raise it all the way up

As above

Sammy3700 · May 31, 2015

I think the adjustment you are needing is a 10 or 12 mm nut (and I think 12mm) under the left side of the seat standing at the rear. This lever will be attached to the left lift arm for position sensing you will have to see which way it needs to go by watching it as the lift raises I can not remember without looking. I have adjusted several with the same symptoms. Your lift arms are reaching full up and the sensing valve is not, this is causing the by pass you are hearing and as others have said dumping your pressure.

Leejohn · May 31, 2015

Sammy3700 said:
I think the adjustment you are needing is a 10 or 12 mm nut (and I think 12mm) under the left side of the seat standing at the rear. This lever will be attached to the left lift arm for position sensing you will have to see which way it needs to go by watching it as the lift raises I can not remember without looking. I have adjusted several with the same symptoms. Your lift arms are reaching full up and the sensing valve is not, this is causing the by pass you are hearing and as others have said dumping your pressure.

You are right and it's called the feedback adjusting rod. It should be in his manual. Just screw the nut in a couple turns and when the arms stop without any relief opening you should be able to lift the arms up just a little by hand..

kg7il · Jun 3, 2015

Thank you, all of you
Tomorrow should bring some dry weather and I will get out there and take a look.

kg7il · Oct 7, 2015

It took a while for me to get back here and provide some update status. Sorry.

Everything worked out well. The operation has returned to normal after the adjustment.