3 point hitch problems

[2011kubota]

I have a m7040 2011 model. The 3ph works fine when you are raising but when you have a load it will not come down, i have forks that go on the back that are about 8 feet long. Two men can stand on them and i can pick them up fine. When i try to lower it will not come down. When they jump off and release the down pressure the forks come to the ground.".......".......,.,.,.,.,,..,,,,..,".......?
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Ok i figured it out. After i started my forks needed raising in the back end, so i dropped the top top link from the top position to the bottom hole. Seemed to work fine for a while, and it was until i got to unlevel ground. Anyway i put my bushhog back on and raised the top link up to the middle hole and surprise. Its working. I guess it was getting put in a bind. Thanks for advice, seems to be working fine.

 

[GWD]

Check the doorknob-like adjustment valve under the driver's seat.

It regulates how quickly the 3PH descends.

 

[AHunsinger]

Try turning off draft control

 

[2011kubota]

Check the doorknob-like adjustment valve under the driver's seat.

It regulates how quickly the 3PH descends.

Tried it, it actually works properly, when i close it the 3ph stays in the same position, loaded or unloaded

 

[2011kubota]

Try turning off draft control

How do you turn off the draft control? I actually think it has something to do with the draft control, when it first started acting up today I would move the draft control lever back and forth and it would eventually fall.

 

[birddogger]

Try adjusting the draft control link. On the left side of the 3ph top-cover; it has a turnbuckle in a 6 inch long shaft. It must be set a little too sensitive,

 

[GWD]

I think the guys that mentioned the draft control have isolated the problem.

Note: As mentioned, make sure the draft control lever is all the way forward (like when the 3PH lever is set to "down/float").

The key is that the 3PH will go down with no load on it but won't with a load. Have you tried just barely lifting the forks off of the ground and then having the guys stand on it? If it raises automatically then that is where the problem lies.

Another thing to try is to attach the top link to the top hole of the three hole choices on the tractor's bracket. That gives less leverage to the activation of the draft control.

Yet another test is to use a long crowbar or digging bar and wedge it between the top link attachment point and the bracket. Pulling down on the crowbar will engage the draft control. Pushing up will disengage it. It helps to see this action if the draft control lever is all the way to the rear (engaged) and the top link pin is in the lowest hole. It should take a respectable effort to get the draft control to work.

OK, one more test if the guys aren't around. Put a pallet at the end of the forks and lift it off of the ground a few inches. Then load on some weight, bags of sand, cement blocks, whatever - at least a couple of hundred pounds. Play with the draft control lever and see what happens. Hopefully this doesn't result in the forks being permanently up.

If you already have a heavily loaded pallet just lift it a little way with the forks and see what happens.

As birddogger mentioned, there is an adjustment rod for draft control. Look on the left side of the top link bracket and the rod is attached by two small bolts. Follow the rod to a turnbuckle that can be used for adjustment.

I have never adjusted it so don't know which way increases or decreases the strength of the draft control. By the construction it appears that shortening it will decrease the draft effect. Maybe.

 

[birddogger]

never adjusted it so don't know which way increases or decreases the strength of the draft control.

Put the long forks on, have the guys step onto the forks, watch the link; if it pulls-lengthen it, if it pushes-shorten it.

 

[GWD]

OK, ignore my post #7 - it is completely wrong. I was standing in the shower just now and thought OMG what a moron.

The draft control works by compressing the top link. The OP has a situation where the top link would be extended. Sorry about that.

Maybe somebody will come up with a better idea of what is happening. It is still odd that the draft control lever would allow the 3PH to lower.

Just one more thing - be sure to grease both Zerks that lube the shaft that goes through the top link bracket.