Third function - not working - FIXED

cdshow

New member

Equipment
L6060
Jun 22, 2023
8
5
3
Virginia
Just bought a grand l6060 and it was delivered this week. Had the dealer install factory kubota third function valve for auger and grapple work. I owned the grapple and have used on a skid steer before hence it has flat face fittings. Had the dealer install flat face in the tractor and the auger I bought with the tractor land pride sa20 rated to be usable by the tractor. Connected the auger and it barely turns it half a turn either direction. Then tried the grapple and it won’t open / close it either. Contacted the sales man and he said he would have the shop call me Monday but…. I have the engine rev’d up when trying it the hoses jerk so I can tell they are trying…. I have a video I can post if I can figure out how. I’m wondering if anyone else has ever seen this or would know what might cause it? Thoughts?
 

lynnmor

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601-1
May 3, 2021
1,444
1,159
113
Red Lion
I wouldn't be trying it at all till this is sorted out, you can do damage if the hoses are connected wrong.
 

cdshow

New member

Equipment
L6060
Jun 22, 2023
8
5
3
Virginia
The only reason I am pretty sure it is something other than connections is the grapple didn’t work at all! That said I just went and rechecked the connections to be absolutely sure they were properly connected. Then I tried it one more time same results. So… I disconnected it and put my bucket back on. I was hoping to use it this coming week and next but… 🫤 who knows…
Was hoping it was something simple like connections but unfortunately doesn’t look like it.
Unless anyone else has any ideas guess I get to wait for the shop on Monday.
 

edritchey

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
A bunch of cute little Kubotas
Jul 19, 2014
1,107
806
113
Wellsville, PA
They plumbed the 3rd function valve incorrectly they must not have tried it after it was assembled should be an easy fix. It could have a bad QD fitting but I doubt it since it was a new install.
 

cdshow

New member

Equipment
L6060
Jun 22, 2023
8
5
3
Virginia
They plumbed the 3rd function valve incorrectly they must not have tried it after it was assembled should be an easy fix. It could have a bad QD fitting but I doubt it since it was a new install.
That’s what I was afraid of ie something mechanical. Tractor is brand new and they had it in stock. Just had to add hydraulics front and rear. I also thought the front hydraulic button on the loader valve was supposed to light up but it doesn’t. It does detent a little bit but no light not even dim. I tried one at a used dealer before deciding to buy new and it lit up just very dimly. Thanks for the diagnosis I thought it might be something mechanical good to have a head start on the shop.
 

Velma

Member

Equipment
B2301, FDR1660, RB1560, SGC0554, Pats QH, CMP Dethatcher
May 12, 2022
85
53
18
MI
Not sure what the switch gear looks like on a grand L…I once blew a fuse on my third function and it was dead as a door nail.
Traced the wire from the loader stick back to the battery…fuse holder was right before the battery.
 

cdshow

New member

Equipment
L6060
Jun 22, 2023
8
5
3
Virginia
Check all of the quick connects that they are fully seated.
Ok well I’m an idiot. I went to check for a fuse and spotted the loader connections where the third function hoses connect in at the FEL…. Something clicked in my brain that you said to check ALL the connections. I realized the connection to the front relies on this connection @ side of the FEL must be good too. So I pulled and the first of the connections just pulled right off. Pushed it back on “correctly” so pulled on the other one & it was solid(removed it anyway and reseated it). Removed the bucket and tried the grapple again and tada it worked! Went to the auger and connected it and tada!!!! It works too! Tested it out and it made a hole so easy it wasn’t funny.
So…. Mental note check ALL connections means all of them in the chain. Thanks for the advice guys!
 
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MOOTS

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
MX6000
Jun 27, 2019
1,925
2,210
113
Canton, Georgia
Ok well I’m an idiot. I went to check for a fuse and spotted the loader connections where the third function hoses connect in at the FEL…. Something clicked in my brain that you said to check ALL the connections. I realized the connection to the front relies on this connection @ side of the FEL must be good too. So I pulled and the first of the connections just pulled right off. Pushed it back on “correctly” so pulled on the other one & it was solid(removed it anyway and reseated it). Removed the bucket and tried the grapple again and tada it worked! Went to the auger and connected it and tada!!!! It works too! Tested it out and it made a hole so easy it wasn’t funny.
So…. Mental note check ALL connections means all of them in the chain. Thanks for the advice guys!
Glad it is working for you.
 

GrizBota

Well-known member

Equipment
L3830HST/LA724, B2601/LA435/RCK54-32, RCR1872, CDI 66”grapple, pallet forks
Apr 26, 2023
1,153
736
113
Oregon
Nice! Your new tractor is ready to work. I’d be interested in what you think of that hydro auger on the FEL. The only thing standing between me and one of those is about $4k.
 

cdshow

New member

Equipment
L6060
Jun 22, 2023
8
5
3
Virginia
Nice! Your new tractor is ready to work. I’d be interested in what you think of that hydro auger on the FEL. The only thing standing between me and one of those is about $4k.
I only drilled one hole last weekend to test it out before putting in some serious fence over this next upcoming week. I’ll get some video of it in action. The test hole I drilled was not in rocky ground like most of the actual posts will be but… it was the easiest hole I’ve ever dug, 20-30 seconds for a complete hole in ~100% heavy sticky clay. The down pressure really REALLY helps. And no more drilling in and unable to get it out if FEL can’t lift it, simply counter clockwise back it out a little and lift, then take some more / repeat… I’ve done about 100 posts over the years with a 3pt auger and hated almost every minute of it. There were times it was easier to dig the post holes by hand than 3pt auger… same ground so I’ll let you know. I’m really hoping it isn’t as bad as we have at least 100 posts to put in. Some old fence rows but mainly new fence expanding some pasture and dividing it for rotational. Fingers crossed, regardless I should be able to give you a good idea if it’s worth it.
Wish me luck!
 
Last edited:

GrizBota

Well-known member

Equipment
L3830HST/LA724, B2601/LA435/RCK54-32, RCR1872, CDI 66”grapple, pallet forks
Apr 26, 2023
1,153
736
113
Oregon
I only drilled one hole last weekend to test it out before putting in some serious fence over this next upcoming week. I’ll get some video of it in action. The test hole I drilled was not in rocky ground like most of the actual posts will be but… it was the easiest hole I’ve ever dug, 20-30 seconds for a complete hole in ~100% heavy sticky clay. The down pressure really REALLY helps. And no more drilling in and unable to get it out if FEL can’t lift it, simply counter clockwise back it out a little and lift, then take some more / repeat… I’ve done about 100 posts over the years with a 3pt auger and hated almost every minute of it. There were times it was easier to dig the post holes by hand than 3pt auger… same ground so I’ll let you know. I’m really hoping it isn’t as bad as we have at least 100 posts to put in. Some old fence rows but mainly new fence expanding some pasture and dividing it for rotational. Fingers crossed, regardless I should be able to give you a good idea if it’s worth it.
Wish me luck!
Thanks for the follow up. Luck, who needs luck when you’ve got a nice Kubota tractor that’s well equipped. Indeed, I’d like to hear again once you’ve really put that new auger to the real test.
 

cdshow

New member

Equipment
L6060
Jun 22, 2023
8
5
3
Virginia
Thanks for the follow up. Luck, who needs luck when you’ve got a nice Kubota tractor that’s well equipped. Indeed, I’d like to hear again once you’ve really put that new auger to the real test.
Still learning! This hole was on the side of a hill so getting the angle right wasn’t easy, especially as we went lower. Yes, I stalled the tractor at one point but we ended up getting the hole finished, this was the only time it stalled the entire time so of course it was when we decided to do a video... We put in 10 posts, the holes were the easy part. Setting the posts is now the hard part. This is by far a much better solution than a 3pt auger. Drilling 10 holes in rough rocky ground only one hole had to be moved first spot we encountered a LARGE rock less than a foot down. The rest of the holes encountered rocks but the auger either went through or pushed them out of the way all of them were easy except the one. We didn’t have time to get more filmed as I didn’t have help for a good part of the job.

Definitely would highly recommend this solution to any one with third function hydraulics, the gpm flow for mine minimum is ~8-10 gpm although I believe land pride has one that runs as low as ~5 gpm (I think). Be sure to have spare teeth if you have rocky soil. Haven’t broken any teeth yet but already see a little wear, not a lot but enough I know I’m going to need spare teeth on hand.

 
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GrizBota

Well-known member

Equipment
L3830HST/LA724, B2601/LA435/RCK54-32, RCR1872, CDI 66”grapple, pallet forks
Apr 26, 2023
1,153
736
113
Oregon
Thanks. Looks like you need to creep down hill as the hole advances to try to keep a plumb hole.