Position control...........

don716 · Sep 13, 2003

I've read alot of the posts on some of the smaller B series tractors and I read alot about lack of position control. What exactly is position control? Does it have something to do with raising and lowering the PTO arm?? Just curious and trying to learn.
Thanks, Donny /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bird · Sep 14, 2003

Donny, on a tractor without position control, the lever that controls the raising and lowering of the 3-point hitch is centered. If you move the lever forward, the 3-point lowers; if you move it back the 3-point rises, and the 3-point continues to move up (or down) until the lever is centered again. Moving the lever farther forward or backward may increase or decrease the speed with which the 3-point moves up or down but has nothing to do with where it stops. About the only way you can tell whether you've raised or lowered it to where you want it is to look at it and center the lever when it gets there; hard to raise the 3-point, then later lower it back to exactly the same level.

On a tractor with position control, the lever always stays wherever you put it; probably has numbers along side the lever; e.g., 1 to 8, with 1 being the lowest position for the 3-point and 8 being the highest. So if you want to lower it all the way, simply push the lever all the way forward, turn it loose, and it stays there, you want it all the way up, pull all the way back, you want it halfway, center the lever; easy to raise or lower the 3-point, then later return to exactly the same level as before.

And now the Kubota B7800 has a new method called a "quarter inching" valve. The lever is centered and it will work the same as one without position control if you move the lever very far, but you can also move the lever just a little bit (to a detent) up or down and only raise or lower the 3-point a quarter inch at a time (not sure if that "quarter inch" is exact or not).

don716 · Sep 14, 2003

Thanks, I understand now. Before I bought my 7500 the salesman tried to sell me a 2710 that had #'s 1-8 on the lever. He said I could stop it at any given point and tighten a little nut against the lever and I could raise it up all I wanted then when it was lowered it would stop against the nut and stay at that height. That's not to important to me. It would be a nice accessory though.
Donny

8561 · Sep 14, 2003

It's probably one of those things you only appreciate if you've had it and then have to live without it. I was considering the B7500 as well as the B2410 and the position control was one of the reasons I went with the B2410.

gsganzer · Sep 15, 2003

I have a BX2200 without position control. I'm used to using larger tractors with position control and consider the lack of it a PITA. On my BX, I made some check chains that I can adjust to allow the rear links to only lower to where I want them to. They're definitely needed when using rear implements like a rotary cutter. Otherwise, if you have a lapse of memory, you end up lowering the mower all the way to the ground.

This was real easy to do on the BX, it has two tabs on the back that worked out great. Otherwise, you can attach the chains to the top link.

SethO · Sep 15, 2003

Can you post pictures of how the check chains are deployed on your BX?

gsganzer · Sep 15, 2003

I can't do it for a couple of days. I'm fixin' to fly out to Denver for a few days.

I made one for each lift arm, each one is as follows:
I took a 6" piece of 1 1/2" flat stock and drilled a 3/8" hole on one end and a 7/8" hole on the other. I heated up the flat bar in two places and bent it slightly (sort of a zig and zag) so it lines up better with the tractor connection. I attached an 18" chain to the 3/8" hole (the 7/8" hole fits over the pin on the implement). I then attached the other end of the chain, using a clevis link to the little tabs on the rear of the BX. This way I can pass the clevis through different links on the chain to adjust height of the lifting arms. (The manual says the tabs on the rear of the tractor are for attaching the rear links up out of the way when not in use.)

I know a picture is worth a thousand words and will post one when I return. I got the idea from the web site SSB. They have a part for sale that is similar, but it attaches to the top link instead of the tabs. I think it's called "lift chains" or similar. If you can find it, it should give you an idea of what I did.

gsganzer · Sep 15, 2003

The part on SSB is called "Mower deck height stabilizer". The one I made is similar. The only difference is I attached the chain to the tabs with a clevis link instead of to the top link. Sorry I can't attach the web link.

Junkman · Sep 15, 2003

I searched for it on SSB, but was unable to find it..... could you please post a link to the picture or the post? thanks

5030 · Sep 15, 2003

Bird:

If I may complicate your answer a little more, I'm sorry.

With larger tractors, you can have a combination of position and draft control. Tillage involves allowing implements to follow ground contours and also works well with rear mount mowers. Draft control allows the implement to sense the contour and follow it. M JD's have draft control, the 5030 is position as it's not heavy enough for tillage work.

See, I made it complicated, just like me to do!!