MX5100 Jerky 3pt hitch

[Chilly807]

Great pics, and a nice looking install too.. I think the same valve (different brand name) is what Jeff used on his. He is in Canada, as am I, and I think he sourced his from Princess Auto. They were on sale a few months ago for about $100. They sell either a PC or a plain version of the valve for a few bucks in the difference.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[smweatherman]

:thumbdown:

thanks smweatherman
Do you have a backhoe on the tractor?

No backhoe and I do not know from where the backhoe gets its fluid or how it would be affected. The good news I guess is that if the backhoe does get fluid from the PB port one could always 'dial in' max fluid on the flow control valve if needed.

I just didn't think a video would be very telling with an empty hitch. As soon as I put some ballast or the rotary mower back on I will get some video.

Chilly807

Re: MX5100 Jerky 3pt hitch
Great pics, and a nice looking install too.. I think the same valve (different brand name) is what Jeff used on his. He is in Canada, as am I, and I think he sourced his from Princess Auto. They were on sale a few months ago for about $100. They sell either a PC or a plain version of the valve for a few bucks in the difference.

Thanks,

Sean

Thanks. Yes, I fully admitted I stole practically everything from Jeff's earlier Home Brew write-up. I learned a lot along the way as well. I think I paid about $90 (US) for the valve and 60 or 70 for the fittings and hoses. I sourced everything but the valve from my Kubota dealer (after trying to fix the jerkiness they were fully aware of what I was doing and why.)

 

[smweatherman]

I hope those interested are subscribed to this thread. I was awfully slow about getting some video; 3 inches of rain yesterday cancelled a lot of other plans.
In the video you should see that I attempted three trials: one with the flow control at '10', which should be just like factory; one with the flow control at about 3.5, about where I often run it; and a third with the flow control set at 2, which is very slow but might be useful in some applications. For each trial I tried to make two 'lifts' at full speed, moving the 3pt control lever from full down to full up in about 1 second. I then tried to make two lifts at a more controlled rate, moving the 3pt control lever from full down to full up as smoothly as I could in about 5-6 seconds. After that I did a lift in increments were I would move the control lever one or two numbers on the scale, rest, and then do it again.
You can see me adjust the flow control valve in between trials.
My memory card filled up before I was done with the third (slowest) trial, but I think you can see it is very smooth and very slow.
My ballast weight is about 1200lbs and I was running about 1700 rpm for whatever that is worth.
Remember, the loader function is not affected at all. The rear remote volume (speed) is affected along with the 3pt.

Good luck

 

[KYDan]

Thanks, with my factory only hitch and a 610 box blade on I have a very minimal jerkiness. I guess I am one of the lucky ones as I have not experienced the jerky hitch issue as pronounced as most seem to be.

 

[case245]

you think someone would come up with a fix for the problem

 

[k0ua]

Good Video and Good Job!.. But I would like to point out your "worst case" jerky with the valve wide open, could not hold a candle to the Jerky I had with my L3400. I wondered if the tires were going to stay on the ground some times with mine..You have definitely made some improvements. and the 3.5 setting is very livable. I did much the same experiment with my L3400, by raising the FEL at the same time as I raised the 3pt which greatly reduced the flow to the 3pt and achieved approximately the same results, of course totally impractical results in my case.. So I knew it could be done. Thanks for posting this up.

James K0UA

 

[Chilly807]

Hmm.. now I want to add the flow control to mine! It wouldn't be something I'd use often, mostly just for smooth grading the driveway or earth work. Looks like a great solution to a pesky problem. Nice job!

Sean

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Dealer prep or other adjustments will not make the hitch smooth. It is not designed to be smooth. The response I got from my regional Kubota rep was that the value tractors (Standard L's and MX's) are not engineered to have a smooth hitch. If you want or need a smooth operating hitch, you will need to purchase a Grand L or M series Kubota.

I can't say anything bad about the MX5100 otherwise. It provides a lot of tractor and power for the money, just depends on what you are looking to use the tractor for. If you plan to do any grading, use a PHD or any other implement that would require fine control over the 3PH, then you will not be happy with the 3PH performance. If not, you will not even notice the jerky hitch. It is smooth when raising quickly, just can't feather it up smoothly.

I returned my MX5100 after 2 weeks and purchased a Grand L 4240 because I needed a smooth hitch for grading. Couldn't be happier, it was the right decision for me. If you will mainly be doing PTO or FEL work then the MX5100 is a great choice.

Hope that helps...

My MX5100 works like a charm, very smooth control, and great for grading with my 6' blade. Guess I'm lucky. I love this tractor and can't recommend it enough.

 

[bushhog28]

I test drove 3 m7060s a month ago. All had a jerky hitch with a 7 foot rotary cutter on the back. My mx4700 did the same thing. I can't beleive kubota has not fixed this yet. Dealer said he made rep calls etc... I dont care. I ended up getting a green one.

 

[94BULLITT]

I'm not sure what you guys classify as a jerky hitch. I could make any hitch jerk if I wanted.