3-Point Hitch TC30 lift question

[NHJeff]

Hi all,
I'm new here; after spending a few years among the great folks on the N-Board forum, I finally moved into the 21st century and got a 2002 TC30 with a 7308 loader. So far it's been great, I especially like the HST when using the loader. I'm hoping some of you might give me a bit of insight into the hydraulic lift.
It doesn't seem to have enough "throw". If I have the left arm in the lower hole, and adjust the turnbuckle on the right one down, I can barely lift something off the ground, and the top link only helps so much. If I switch the left one to the top hole, and adjust the turnbuckle back up so I can lift something good and high, it will barely reach the ground when I drop it.
I tried using a tiller, and it wouldn't allow it down far enough to do more than skim the surface. I've thought about putting on longer lower arms, giving it a longer arc, but it doesn't seem like I should have to.
Anyone have any ideas?
Jeff

 

[emorris]

Which hole is the lift link connected to on the Lift arm? On mine I have two holes in the lift arm that the lift link can connect to. I have it in the outtermost hole and use the middle hole on the lift link and it works fine even with a two row breaking plow. The lift system does not put pressure down when lowered. What ever you do DO NOT adjust the adjustment screw at the top of the lift arms that works the lift links. It is a small screw and adjusts the internal stoping point (dont know if you have a operators manual) Have you used the tiller before? If not you may need to adjust the runners on the tiller so it will dig deeper. Congrads on your tractor. Mine is also a 2002 tc30, but mine has 9x3 trans.I have only had a few minor problems with the tractor but overall it has been good to me for the last seven years. Let me know how it works out.

 

[NHJeff]

I have the lift link in the outermost hole of the lift arm, and in the center of hole of the lift link, just as you said you use. I've used all three of the holes in the lift link to no avail, I have not changed which hole I use in the lower lift arm. I tried using my single bottom plow as well, and the lift wouldn't allow it down far enough to penetrate. I've used my plow plenty with my Jubilee, so I know it wasn't operator error. As for the tiller, it belongs to my uncle, who took it directly off his Kubota and then I hooked it up, so I know it wasn't the skids on the tiller that prevented it's penetration, the lift simply wouldn't allow it to drop far enough. I do have an owner's manual, and I have the two volume repair manual and was about to attempt to adjust the internal stopping point before the relief valve kicks in. Other than that, I'm pretty much at a loss as to why it won't lift or lower as much as it should.

 

[Carykong]

Do you have greater range of motion with the 3pt lift when you have your drawbar attached?

 

[NHJeff]

Excellent question, I haven't paid much attention to that. I guess I'll go out and take my bush hog off and check it with the draw bar.

 

[NHJeff]

With my bush hog on, and the tractor running, full lift puts the eye of my lower lift arm at 28-1/2" off the ground on a level cement floor. With nothing but a drawbar attached, the height of the eye is just about an inch higher, so there isn't a whole lot of difference. When dropped, the height is 13" with the drabar, and the bush hog hit the ground before it bottomed out.

 

[montejw]

When dropped, the height is 13" with the drabar, and the bush hog hit the ground before it bottomed out.

Are you saying that your lift arms stop 13" above the ground when lowered and nothing on them? Try it again and stand on the drawbar to see if it'll go lower. My drawbar will nearly touch the ground when lowered. Not sure how high it'll go, I'll have to start it up and measure sometime.

 

[NHJeff]

Are you saying that your lift arms stop 13" above the ground when lowered and nothing on them? Try it again and stand on the drawbar to see if it'll go lower. My drawbar will nearly touch the ground when lowered. Not sure how high it'll go, I'll have to start it up and measure sometime.

Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying. This is my problem, the arms won't drop low enough for my plow, harrows, and tiller to do their job.