Question about 3pt hitch hydraulics

NCDeere · Nov 15, 2004

This weekend I was doing some bush-hogging with my new 4510 (which i didn't take pics of yet; SORRY). But, a lot of junk from the tall weeds got on top of the bushhog and I decided to clean it off (not that it really mattered). So, I stopped the tractor (but kept it running) and raised the bushhog up as high as it would go. While cleaning it off, it seemed that the bushhog lowered a little and when it did, it was like the hydraulics raised it back up to the setting I had it at. What do you think about that? Doesn't that sound wierd? Is that normal? I would think that if I have it all the way up, it should stay there. Do you think I have an issue with my hydraulics? I am a little confused and a little concerned as I only have about 6 hours on it. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Bryan

Tractors4u · Nov 15, 2004

The tractor is reacting correctly by compensating for the drop, but the three point should not be dropping. I had a small grey market that did that. Is the tractor still under warranty?

NCDeere · Nov 15, 2004

( Is the tractor still under warranty? )

Yes, it only has about 6 hours on it.

timb · Nov 15, 2004

Doesn't sound right. I've got essentially the exact same back half and 3point hitch as your 4510 - and I can make my tractor bounce a bit with too-abrubt hitch movement and my MX6 mower mounted - but once up I've never seen it budge. How long did this take? All hydraulics will leak down eventually (and the 3-point should self-compensate as Brent said) but it should be very very slow.

I did notice some leak down on my loader when things were brand new that seems to have gotten better as I've used it more.

How do you have your rate-of-drop control set? Slow or fast? I keep mine pretty slow with the cutter on - I wonder if that plays into this?

NCDeere · Nov 15, 2004

( How long did this take? All hydraulics will leak down eventually (and the 3-point should self-compensate as Brent said) but it should be very very slow. )

It happened only a minute or so after hopping down off the tractor.

( How do you have your rate-of-drop control set? Slow or fast? I keep mine pretty slow with the cutter on - I wonder if that plays into this? )

I am not even sure what I have it set on. You'll have to forgive the ignorance of a newbie tractor owner. I'll have to check on that.

Thanks.

timb · Nov 15, 2004

( It happened only a minute or so after hopping down off the tractor. )

That I would have noticed. Sounds too fast.

( I am not even sure what I have it set on. )

That you'll notice! - not sure how heavy of a cutter you have - but with a reasonably heavy cutter and the rate set too fast - it will come down with (literally) a bang. You don't forget to slow it down after that! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

If your new to any kind of tractor - it's hard to tell what is normal and what isn't. You'll find plenty of good advice here (and hopefully from folks with a lot more experience than me) - but it may be time to ring up your dealer and give them the heads-up. Even these 'small' tractors are plenty big enough to do damage or hurt someone if there is something actually wrong with your hydraulics. Good luck!

beenthere · Nov 15, 2004

As per the others, I would let the dealer know and ask to have it checked out as soon as convenient for them to look at it. Don't take the "that is normal" answer too quickly. It may be a result of being 'new' and not yet broken in good, and seals not fully seated (but I don't think that is right either). Also, maybe you had it idling way down, which in my opinion, also shoudn't have caused it.

It may also be an adjustment needed to the feedback control 'lever' on the rock shaft arm (left side) which are the arms that lift the 3pt arms. The manual shows an adjustment there. In short, it may be just a simple adjustment to that control arm. This is a setup responsibility of the dealer to check it out (but likely no-one does it).

I was near an old 8N Ford the other day, and at idle, it would do exactly what you are saying. I assumed it was because of oil seeping by the lift cylinder.