3-Point Hitch Questions/Observations operating my 3pt Hitch - Won't stay up!

[s219]

Does this tractor have position control on the 3-pt hitch? That is the only type of system that will truly maintain position.

 

[vtsnowedin]

According to the Kioti brochure I'm looking at it has "position,Draft,Mixed control" Sounds like the industry standard but Kioti might work somewhat differently then other brands. Owners please chime in.

 

[Mistyridgefarm]

Second the draft control lever possibility. I was also wondering if what the OP says is the lever on the back that won't raise the hitch all the way is that draft control?

If you have top link draft sensing, where your top link attaches to the tractor, that bracket will normally have some sort of spring, a pivot point, and more than likrely multiple holes. If you have the draft control level set too light, the bouncing weight on the arms may be causing it to lower instead of leaks.

 

[Mistyridgefarm]

That draft control may also have contributed to your stump grinder incident. The draft control is used for ground engagement like a plow. You set the 3 pt so the plow runs the depth you want, then the sensing so that if you hit a tough spot or rocks, the top link feels the pressure, lifts the plow up, and keeps you moving. It is a great feature but does take some practice to get the settings right. Bigger and newer tractors have the sense on the lift bars instead of the top link. Not sure how that works but maybe someone here can fill in the blanks.

 

[k0ua]

To clear up a few questions, The DK series have mixed Draft and Position controls. The draft control is activated whenever you hook the top link in the lower 2 hole positions. the top hole position does not activate it. The DK series also have a 3rd lever that is mechanically linked to the main position control on the back of the tractor for the purpose of making adjustments to the 3pt when hooking up easier instead of having to go around the right fender of the tractor to reach the normal lever. The Draft lever is yellow in color and if you are not using the Draft feature, you normally push the lever to the least sensitive position which is forward. David mentioned that his rear position control lever does not raise the lift to the complete full height, and after checking, neither does mine. This seems to be a matter of mechanical linkage or adjustment and is of no consequence anyway, as it purpose it to raise or lower the 3pt a small amount to get hooked up. I wonder how loose or stiff Davids position control Lever is? While subjective, I would characterize my lever as smooth but stiff, or requiring some force to operate. I wonder if David's is perhaps loose, and vibration could be changing the position of the lever? My lever never moves from where it is set.

James K0UA

 

[IndyIan]

I wonder if David's is perhaps loose, and vibration could be changing the position of the lever? My lever never moves from where it is set.

James K0UA

This is what it sounds like to me as well, if the control lever is moving then the hitch arms will follow. There must be some sort of friction adjustment in there somewhere.
Maybe a hyd hose or something back there is moving the control lever as well? I found out the hard way that the manual scarifier lever on my box blade could reach the 3pth control lever if I shortened the hyd top link to much...

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Guys,

There is a WEALTH of info here and I will look into ALL of these things today.

I do not think it is the lever moving, unless something is hitting the rear lever (I will investigate).

Udpating my description, I never touch Draft lever (but maybe the top link is in the wrong spot), it feels like when the hog bounces the 3pt lowers and as it lowers, the lever moves with it.

I will check and reply with updates.

I still suspect it is me and not the tractor...

Thanks,
David

 

[IndyIan]

I run my top link on the highest hole(A) and I think the draft control at around 2 or 3 and I never touch it. Then I can use the full range of position control without the draft control interfering. The 3pth never goes down without me using the position control lever.
I think in theory you should be able to leave the draft control at 0 but for some reason I recall this not working for me.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Update -

OK I checked and my toplink is in the top hole, but when I moved the draft lever I was surprised when it raised the 3pt! That just tells you I've never used it.

I also tried to make sure it was tight against the lock nut.

I had the stump grinder on and it did not move or bounce as much as the bush-hog and I did not notice it moving. that is what I know at the moment.

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Latest Update - Something is screwy!!!!!

I was grappeling debris out of an area I am adding to the temporary pasture by moving the electric fence.I was working on a rough slope and bouncing a lot as I was scooping up debris and hauling it down hill to the tree line. at one point the stump grinder was dragging on the ground. I did not touch the lever, nothing did. I stopped and lifted the lever and for a minute I was watching the lever (and 3pt) slowly settle. I though I was able to repeat it at will at this point.

All day I've been playing with the draft lever to see if somehow it had impact. It should not because I'm in the top toplink hole. I thought it was when I was watching the level sink to 7, 6, 5... But then in a few minutes, I could not get it to repeat.

One time the grinder fell all the way to the ground and was dragging like a boat anchor, and immediately after that I vcould watch the lever move. but it NEVER did it again so now I'm stumped.

It seems like the DRAFT helps keep the 3pt lifted, but I can't prove that. It also does NOTHING when I try to do position control and set the 3pt at say "7" and operate that way.

Something seems screwy for sure... Wish I could figure this out...
David