Rockshaft control lever's gone soft

[Millalien]

My rockshaft control lever won't hold position on my Deere 3320. It was pretty stiff until yesterday, but now when I lift the rear blade the lever slides back down. The blade lifts and drops like it normally does, except that it drops back down as the lever slips. It's been really cold here lately (single digits F) and all the other hydraulics work just fine. I thought at first that it was cold related, but not I wonder. Anybody have any explanations?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Check to see if your control lever has gotten loose. Should be just a nut to snug up where the lever pivots. Just a thought.

 

[kennyd]

Here is a picture of the linkage. Check the tightness of the locknut (#9) that put tension on the spring pack (#11)

 

[Millalien]

Thanks! That sounds like a good call - I need to dig a little to get in there but I'll give that try.

 

[Millalien]

For the record, I found a friction washer (part #1 in the diagram (M136623 ))had broken and fallen off the shaft, which probably explains the sudden misbehavior. I Didn't tighten down on the spring pack yet - the washer's on order and I'll replace the washer and adjust the whole assembly when it comes in.

Thanks for the replies ---

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Good to hear that it will be an easy fix.

 

[John_in_TN]

My 3520 just developed this same loose lever problem. Haven't had time to really explore, but it looks like I will have to remove something to access the mechanism. Haven't been under the tractor yet, but this area looks to be too high up to reach from below. How did you guys get to it?
Thanks!
John

 

[MtnViewRanch]

My 3520 just developed this same loose lever problem. Haven't had time to really explore, but it looks like I will have to remove something to access the mechanism. Haven't been under the tractor yet, but this area looks to be too high up to reach from below. How did you guys get to it?
Thanks!
John

I was able to get a wrench to the nut from up on top, but I think that I could have reached it from underneath also.

 

[John_in_TN]

Thanks for the reply. I will have to take a closer look at it when I get a chance.

 

[Bobnokious]

My rock shaft lever is way too stiff. Were you able to determine where to adjust the friction?

 

[John_in_TN]

Not sure my "fix" will work in your case: my lever was too loose. When I raised the lift I had to hold the lever in the up position to keep it from falling back down on its own.

I found nut #9 in the JD Parts List (posted in reply #3 above, by kennyd) was loose. This nut applies pressure to #11 (a set of "bellville" washers). I simply added a drop of Loctite and tightened the nut firmly. I haven't had any further issues with mine.

Sounds like your problem is more likely in the same area as Millalien described in #5, above.

Either way, I think you will need to remove your seat (complete with its support mechanism) and maybe the shroud covering the hydraulic valve. I removed both when I worked on mine, but afterword thought I could have probably managed to work through the shroud opening where the seat mounts. I didn't look at access to the area Millalien worked on, it very well may require shroud removal.

Good Luck!

 

[Phill1]

I had the same issue. My friction washer was missing. The new one seemed to be larger, maybe there was an update. I was able to replace mine in frame without removing the entire manifold but make sure you plan that as a possibility. Wasn't as quick of a fix as I planned. It did fix my issue.