Position control

[Millalien]

I'm having trouble understanding various comments in various threads about 3PH "position control." Do the 1/4 inching valves on Kubota tractors lower in 1/4 inch increments only unless you're dropping all the way down or raising all the way up?

And why did somebody say that a 2520 has "position control" but a 3203 doesn't. The Deere dealer here can't figure what what the "position control feature" is and neither can I - the controls look the same and appear to operate the same on both the 2520 and the 3203.

TIA...

 

[jjmarotz]

Position control refers to the 3 ph. It is esentially a bracket that the 3pt lever rides in and has reference numbers or marks on it and a lock knob to set the 3pt at specific depths. I have the 3203 and do wish that it had position control, but as in most cases a bracket can be fabed up in a short time. I am in the thinking process has how to make one for my tractor. Any other ?'s feel free to ask.

 

[thatguy]

Position control refers to the 3 ph. It is esentially a bracket that the 3pt lever rides in and has reference numbers or marks on it and a lock knob to set the 3pt at specific depths. I have the 3203 and do wish that it had position control, but as in most cases a bracket can be fabed up in a short time. I am in the thinking process has how to make one for my tractor. Any other ?'s feel free to ask.

My 2320 has position control.. But what sort of lever would the 2305 have that doesnt have position control?

I thought position control was used to keep something at the same height? Or is that draft control?

brian

 

[KubotaSteve]

On the 1/4" valve there are two stops going down and going up. The first little stop moves it in 1/4" increments in whatever direction you are going. The second stop will go faster all the way down or all the way up. The main thing is whatever stop you use, you have to center the lever to get it to stop raising or lowering. With position control you move it to a spot and that is the height it is at.

 

[Bob_Young]

There are no quarter inch increments with the Kubota quarter inching valve. It's a misnomer. The control is simply a hydraulic valve that raises/lowers the 3PH rapidly when moved to its extremes OR raises/lowers very slowly when moved to an intermediate "quarter-inching" detent. If held continuously at the quarter-inching lower detent, the 3PH will slowly lower all the way. Same thing if held at the quarter-inching raise detent. The detent locations can be easily moved by the operator to positions that deliver the "quarter-inching" response desired.

One other control enters into this. There's a knob under the seat that can be turned to restrict hydraulic fluid flow in the 3PH lower circuit. If closed, the 3PH can be raised, but not lowered. If opened slightly, 3PH lowering speed will be slow regardless of how the main control is operated. It will not, however, have any effect on 3PH raise speed. Fully open, the 3PH lowers quickly when the main control is moved to its lowering extreme.

Hope this helps.
Bob

 

[kennyd]

Position control is more than just a bracket with #'s on it. The design of the internal valve is completely different.

HERE is a good thread on it.

 

[aesanders]

Try them out and then you will know exactly what everyone is trying to describe.

I will add this.... Position control is worth it's weight in gold. (at least for the way I use my machine.)

 

[Millalien]

I appreciate all this advice -- I guess what might have confused me is that the older Deere 670 I've been using must have what's being described as position control - I set the lever to a position and that's where the 3PH goes - so I didn't think it was anything special, just the way that all 3PH systems work.

 

[JDFANATIC]

kenny is absolutely right; position control is more than the bracket. Can you get by with it? Yes. But the ability to hang an implement at a certain height and be able to return to that setting without looking is golden.

 

[JiminGa]

indeed! I have been researching a way to add it to the 2305, looks like it may be cheaper to upgrade to a 2320...and it may be worth the $ for my purposes...just hate the thought of that conversation with the cfo!!! I may just wait a year before jumping on that one!

 

[Bob_Young]

aesanders & JDfanatic are right...position control is worth a lot if you're doing serious work with your 3PH. If PC is available in the size tractor you want, it's well worth the price increment.

That said, JiminGa, I'm not sure it's worth dumping a perfectly good tractor and creating problems at home to get PC. I've often thought that most of the problems with quarter-inching could be overcome if it came with an accurate 3PH position indicator. It could be either mechanical or electronic. Because of the "floating" nature of 3PH, it wouldn't always give an accurate indication of where the hitch is actually set to hold, but it would be a start. Once the tool has dug in and the float is gone, you'd have at least an idea of which way to go to get what you want.
Bob

 

[cdhd2001]

The "Select Control" on the JD 2305 sounds a lot like the Kubota quarter inching.

Before the advent of position control, people used chains on the 3ph lift arms to restrict downward travel. Works well on the old Ford "N" tractors and brush hogs.

 

[JiminGa]

The "Select Control" on the JD 2305 sounds a lot like the Kubota quarter inching.

Before the advent of position control, people used chains on the 3ph lift arms to restrict downward travel. Works well on the old Ford "N" tractors and brush hogs.

this is my current solution to the problem, so far it works, just a PIA to swap implements

 

[GordNovo]

indeed! I have been researching a way to add it to the 2305, looks like it may be cheaper to upgrade to a 2320...and it may be worth the $ for my purposes...just hate the thought of that conversation with the cfo!!! I may just wait a year before jumping on that one!

Hey JiminGa, the secret when approaching the cfo is to have a rock solid cba!

that's how i got the permission to upgrade to the 2520 from the 2305...hoo aah!

GN

 

[cdhd2001]

Hey JiminGa, the secret when approaching the cfo is to have a rock solid cba!

that's how i got the permission to upgrade to the 2520 from the 2305...hoo aah!

GN

More like you need brass balls and the ability to sleep on the couch for a month with no ***...

On edit. DW did say she would not agree to trading in our 6 month old tractor. But, she said she could be talked into spending the approx. $5k difference on the JD 260 backhoe.

 

[JiminGa]

oh man! I hope it's on order! like one of our esteemed members says "everybody needs a hoe!"

 

[GordNovo]

.......and the ability to sleep on the couch for a month with no ***...

..... for an upgrade to a 2520? SOLD!

On the flip side, you'll be able to go outside and play with your implements

 

[JiminGa]

hey, wait a minute! I'm only 34 years old, I still have plenty o drive, a month is way too long! gonna wait at least 6 more months, maybe business will pick up by then and I can justify the larger unit a little easier.

 

[GordNovo]

I'm 34 too, but married for 11 years in January. 6 months is spit in the bucket

 

[JiminGa]

it'll be 11 years in April for us...guess we still haven't come off the honeymoon!