My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

[Harvest Moon]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

Ok, if you're like me the suspense is killing you so I'll get to the point first.

I was wrong about improving performance, I think it might be 20% WORSE.

But I was right about the valves being interchangeable, it's the same valve on the outside. I was right that it's a five minute job with the exception that it didn't want to go easily into the hole and I was very uncomfortable forcing it. I could just imagine those little o-rings getting torn apart. I was also right that the spring does something and that there is a reason our tractor doesn't have one, it makes it worse. I was probably wrong about the conspiracy.

The thing is, the results are NOT AT ALL what I expected. I was looking for smoother performance, now my tractor jerks more than ever. I wasn't looking for the changes I see so my interpretation is subjective but to me it appears that the new LSV has increased the sensitivity of the PCV lever and amplified my PCVs jerking. If I move the lever 1 mm, the hitch responds with a jerk. Before, I think, it was more like move the lever 1/4 to 1/2 inch before anything happened... so how many mm's are in 1/2 of an inch because that's how many more jerks it seems like I have.

I think teg just nailed it in his last post, eccept it's the LSV that's burping. Maybe.

The other problem is, or seems, that it has gotten so much more sensitive that it's actually difficult to raise the hitch quickly without jerks. If I don't move my hand in a perfectly smooth arc, it seems to read the imperfection in the stroke and throw a few extra jerks in.

This may be good news, for those of you with the much smoother valve, it may fill in the 1/4 inch gaps! The conclusion is just not in yet. My next task will be to upgrade to the better PCV but that is a much more complicated and expensive task and it will take a while.

Here are some photos of both valves before the install and one installed:



And here are the videos, no need for the bucket of water this time:

YouTube - L3400 3 point New LSV
YouTube - L3400 3 point New LSV 2
YouTube - L3400 3 point New LSV Quick

 

[teg]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

Any chance that you just have air in there (which would make it worst). I know you push the FEL to the max to make it go into relief mode to purge the air out, but how is it done with the 3ph??

Boy those videos bring back memories!!! All BAD!!!

 

[canoetrpr]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

Son a of a gun. You've worked hard on this Harvest. I was hoping that this would be a success.

You are right in that this LSV needs to be tried with the the PCV from the older L3010 or L3000 - as it seemed to be the only thing (other than perhaps the cylinder itself) that was different in the circuit.

 

[canoetrpr]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

Harvest - I want to re-assert my offer to contribute to your effort. It is much more affordable for one guy to be trying this out than all of us. If it works, it will benefit us all.

 

[teg]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

I can send you money, too... and if it works, you can send it back If it doesn't, well, we tried...

 

[Harvest Moon]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

teg, I though it could be air too but I started out with the lift arms up (cylinder full) and then lowered them without the tractor running in hopes of purging any air that could have gotten in. Then with the machine running I raised and lowered the hitch with out the box blade through it's full range of motion several times and there was no change.

canoetrpr, I didn't accept defeat yet. This valve didn't work the way I thought in that it seems to amplify the negative quality of the PCV I have but I'm still hopeful, since it did produce a change, that it may take those 1/4 increments out of the 3010 valves function.

I'll be looking for something like what you get but with 1/8 increments. I don't see the valve lifting perfectly smooth with slow adjustment from the way I see the on and off by feed back linkage works but I can imagine very tiny soft jerks in the 1/8 inch range.

In simple terms, I'm hoping the PCV valve is doing ALL the jerking and the L3400 LSV is creating the incremental pauses by interfering with the flow into the cylinder, corresponding with the incremental delay at the position control lever.

I think the spring smoothes the flow out but the smaller jerks create a self perpetuating, resonating bounce. Like the feed back on a microphone in an auditorium, being that the jerking hitch is affecting the valve through the feedback linkage. Smooth it out enough and it just won't lock into the cycle or as in your proposal slow it down. Smooth or slow, either may do the trick. Both, maybe better.

 

[ht1]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

Nice try!!

 

[canoetrpr]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

I still like the theory Harvest. You are an optimist!

 

[Harvest Moon]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

Really guys, buy yourselves a beer for doing all you can to help. Who could pass up that offer? This might all work out anyway.

If you want to do something nice for me, help someone who needs help. I've gotten my share from great neighbors and good samaritans alike. Next time you see someone stuck in a ditch at 2 am, when it's -20ï½° out... it might be me.

 

[mjfox6]

Re: My quest for "Grand" 3 point performance from my "economy" tractor. The L3400

I wonder if your new LSV would work in combination with someone who had their original PCV replaced (with the 3010 one) under warranty?