L4200 3pt valve - which one?

[Jay4200]

I recently started using my 3pt hitch after 5 years of exclusively running a backhoe on my L4200GST. I've read all sorts of griping about inching valves, position valves, shuttering lift operation, and some other variants and/or complaints about Kubota 3pts. I don't know 3pt systems from shinola, and simply wonder what I have and what the other types of operation are available and what they do.

I noticed that my 3pt does kind of shutter on the way up, although I don't care - it goes up and stays put, so that's all I care about. I don't have the drag pressure control thing option (whatever that is called), and I think that my tractor has either an infinite position control, or control that is finer that I can see (1/4"?). OTOH, my control lever is graduated from 1 (float) to 8, although with both blade and rake, only 4 1/2 or 5 is touching the ground, or less than half of the range is usable, so fine control at the ground is a bit touchy. Anyhow, any general and/or specific info regarding 3pt control variants would be appreciated.

JayC

 

[johnrex62]

I am new to tractors in general and my L3700SU is my first, but what you describe sounds normal to me.

Consider that not all ground engaging implements are designed to stay on top of the surface, so some of those positions in your scale should be below ground level or you could not plow, till, or dredge via the 3pt. It is also possible that you might have the need to back an implement down the side of a hill or embankment that is lower than your tractor and would need a little "negative" lift on those arms to manage the task.

As I understand the 3pt mechanism, you can adjust the angle and lift of the implement by changing the top link attachment pin at the tractor, so you can get more or less than the typical height range by moving the link attachment point.

It sounds like you have the same valve on yours as I have on mine, and mine is a brand new unit (manufactured 2009 or 2010 since I bought it in July of 2010)