3 Point Float Catch, Kubota BX

[seajbee]

Greetings all, new here and first time posting.
I have a '26 Bx 2680 with QH05, FDR1660, GS0550 and a generic 12V 45gal sprayer from TSC. I'm loving it so far. However, I want to fab up something to lock down the 3-point adjust lever so it can float at the lowest level. What I have in mind is a plate with a cut slot and a "detent" cut at the bottom (similar to the PTO engage/disengage lever) Ideally, I would mount this on the underside of the plastic lever housing. (I don't know the proper term, but the plastic "trim" on top of the fender that the levers travel in.
Has anyone done something similar that could share pics, tips, tricks or any better ideas? I'd like a better solution than just using a bungee.

Thanks!

 

[Bee-Positive]

Greetings all, new here and first time posting.
I have a '26 Bx 2680 with QH05, FDR1660, GS0550 and a generic 12V 45gal sprayer from TSC. I'm loving it so far. However, I want to fab up something to lock down the 3-point adjust lever so it can float at the lowest level. What I have in mind is a plate with a cut slot and a "detent" cut at the bottom (similar to the PTO engage/disengage lever) Ideally, I would mount this on the underside of the plastic lever housing. (I don't know the proper term, but the plastic "trim" on top of the fender that the levers travel in.
Has anyone done something similar that could share pics, tips, tricks or any better ideas? I'd like a better solution than just using a bungee.

Thanks!

I'm not sure what you're trying to do exactly.

The 3 PT. has no downward force, it can only lift. If you set the 3 PT. down to it's lowest point it will float on it's own, you don't need to "lock" the lever in position. If you want to limit the amount of float (using the GS550 say) you would need to add weight to hold it down.

I believe if the lever is forced to stay at the down limit (as if you were pushing it by hand and holding it there) it could cause damage to the relief valve or hydraulic pump over time.

 

[seajbee]

I'm not sure what you're trying to do exactly.

The 3 PT. has no downward force, it can only lift. If you set the 3 PT. down to it's lowest point it will float on it's own, you don't need to "lock" the lever in position. If you want to limit the amount of float (using the GS550 say) you would need to add weight to hold it down.

I believe if the lever is forced to stay at the down limit (as if you were pushing it by hand and holding it there) it could cause damage to the relief valve or hydraulic pump over time.

Thank you for the reply. I'll do some more research to see if there is a risk of mechanical damage. I do know that there is no hydraulic downforce, and that the rear implements will float up. The issue is, they will only float back down to the previously "set" position. A true 3 point float would allow the implement to follow ground contours all the way down, to the absolute bottom limit of the 3 point's mechanical range. That is what I'm trying to accomplish.

Example- I'm mowing on level ground with my rear finish mower. I back the rear mower down a ditch bank. The rear mower wheels will no longer contact the ground unless I manually lower the 3-point further.

Some BX owners bungee their 3-point lever. I'm just looking for a different way of accomplishing the same thing

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Thank you for the reply. I'll do some more research to see if there is a risk of mechanical damage. I do know that there is no hydraulic downforce, and that the rear implements will float up. The issue is, they will only float back down to the previously "set" position. A true 3 point float would allow the implement to follow ground contours all the way down, to the absolute bottom limit of the 3 point's mechanical range. That is what I'm trying to accomplish.

Example- I'm mowing on level ground with my rear finish mower. I back the rear mower down a ditch bank. The rear mower wheels will no longer contact the ground unless I manually lower the 3-point further.

Some BX owners bungee their 3-point lever. I'm just looking for a different way of accomplishing the same thing

I've checked the schematic for your tractor, and you won't be deadheading your pump by holding the lever down. Perhaps fab a little latch similar to the clutch latch on some models.

 

[seajbee]

I've checked the schematic for your tractor, and you won't be deadheading your pump by holding the lever down. Perhaps fab a little latch similar to the clutch latch on some models.

I didn't THINK it would but I wasn't 100% sure. Thank you for the confirmation.

 

[Bee-Positive]

I didn't THINK it would but I wasn't 100% sure. Thank you for the confirmation.

Ditto - just wanted to be sure.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I've checked the schematic for your tractor, and you won't be deadheading your pump by holding the lever down. Perhaps fab a little latch similar to the clutch latch on some models.

Why would this be necessary? Doesnt the 3pt naturally float in all positions including full down?

Dan

 

[PoTreeBoy]

It won't go any lower than it was when you released the lever. I hadn't thought of this until OP's post sent me searching. So if you set your mower down on level ground, then go over a hump, the mower will lift instead of staying on the ground.

 

[seajbee]

Why would this be necessary? Doesnt the 3pt naturally float in all positions including full down?

Dan

It can float up from its set position but not down. You can only set it as low as the ground will allow. The problem that i'm having is when backing my rear mower down slope. That's then I have to hold down on the 3 point lever to allow the mower to drop further and follow the ground. Not a huge deal, just annoying when trying to back and steer.

 

[TheOldHokie]

It won't go any lower than it was when you released the lever. I hadn't thought of this until OP's post sent me searching. So if you set your mower down on level ground, then go over a hump, the mower will lift instead of staying on the ground.

View attachment 178238

Its a single acting cylinder. if you set the lift full down the implement can float up at a high spof and will return to full down. What am I missing?

Dan

 

[TheOldHokie]

It can float up from its set position but not down. You can only set it as low as the ground will allow. The problem that i'm having is when backing my rear mower down slope. That's then I have to hold down on the 3 point lever to allow the mower to drop further and follow the ground. Not a huge deal, just annoying when trying to back and steer.

Why cant you set the lower position with the mower hanging down that slope and let it float up from there?

Dan

 

[seajbee]

Its a single acting cylinder. if you set the lift full down the implement can float up at a high spof and will return to full down. What am I missing?

Dan

It won't return to full down. It will return to the last setting which might need to be lower than the last setting, (Like when i want to back down a ditch bank, then I have to hold the lever down) You can't set it fully down on level ground, because gravity and the weight of the implement is what retracts the cylinder.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Its a single acting cylinder. if you set the lift full down the implement can float up at a high spof and will return to full down. What am I missing?

Dan

There is fluid trapped in the cylinder and the port is blocked when the valve is in neutral. If the piston needs to go up, the fluid can't get out unless the valve is in the down position.

 

[seajbee]

Why cant you set the lower position with the mower hanging down that slope and let it float up from there?

Dan

I could...