Implement Height Stop Thumbscrew Upgrade

NF6X · Apr 30, 2017

I found it a bit hard to grip the implement height stop thumbscrew on my new L3301HST tightly enough to crank it down enough to keep the stop from moving when I bump it with the height lever. The thumbscrew is just an ordinary M6 x 1mm pitch thumbscrew, 20mm long. I replaced it with a lever cam screw from McMaster-Carr for around $12.50, making the stop easier to adjust. The part I used is part number 5720K31. There's also an all stainless steel version for around $42, but that's a bit more deluxe than I need. Here are the before and after pictures:

m32825 · Apr 30, 2017

I have the same problem. Great idea, thanks for sharing!

-- Carl

gsganzer · Apr 30, 2017

I've always cussed that little knob on my L3800. It was always difficult to tighten and loosen. Yesterday I took a better look at it and solved my problem by adding a flat washer between the split ring lock washer and the knob. It seems the lock washer was catching on the knobs plastic.

If it doesn't work out well, I'll swap to your fix. Thanks for posting the part numbers.

Yooper · Apr 30, 2017

Yes! Thanks for taking the time to post this!

NF6X · Apr 30, 2017

I'm glad that y'all like this so much! I don't know if the thumbscrew size is common across different generations of tractors, so I'd suggest verifying the threads needed before ordering one of these. I had plans to 3D-print something more complicated to replace the whole stop assembly, until I stumbled over the lever cam doohickey and it occurred to me that the thumbscrew probably had a common thread type.

I didn't pay close attention to the dimensions when I ordered, and I was expecting a shorter lever. But it still worked out well. It was a bit fiddly to get the screw adjusted right. It threads into the cam lever with a much finer thread than the M6 x 1mm pitch thread on the bottom. Once it's adjusted just right, it clamps down tightly, slides nicely with just a bit of tension from the original lock washer, and the cam only opens 90 degrees before bumping against the protruding top of the screw. Hopefully that will all make sense once you get one in your hands and play with it a bit.

Ike · May 1, 2017

Great idea. I have been thinking of how to fix mine. I ordered a handle off Ebay last night after reading this idea. Thanks

skeets · May 1, 2017

Ya know, when the big "K" reads these posts, and they do or at least someone that works for the big "K" does. One would think the company would take some if not all of these ideas and add them to the machines, I mean krist we pay enough for them to start with, and a couple more pennies cost in the manufacturing end wouldnt kill us. Just MHO you understand.
But maybe they are like HD. Someone comes up with a good idea and posts it, and 2 years later it shows up, and is touted as a wonderful well thought out highly engineered idea from the MoCo. OK Im done bytchin now

scdeerslayer · May 2, 2017

The thumbscrew/knob isn't that bad of an idea, it's just that the ones used don't allow much grip or leverage to get it good and tight. I have another tractor that just had a bad design (or possibly bad modification by my grandfather) that only had a wing nut, I came up with a better modification and use a knob on it.

I bought one of these last year to use on my Kubota after seeing another user post about doing the same modification:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013IA71L4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Repair · May 2, 2017

scdeerslayer said:
The thumbscrew/knob isn't that bad of an idea, it's just that the ones used don't allow much grip or leverage to get it good and tight. I have another tractor that just had a bad design (or possibly bad modification by my grandfather) that only had a wing nut, I came up with a better modification and use a knob on it.

I bought one of these last year to use on my Kubota after seeing another user post about doing the same modification:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013IA71L4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here are some on eBay....I have one coming.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kipp-04232-...771307?hash=item41c22f906b:g:7RoAAOSwIgNXslUv

Ike · May 3, 2017

My handle came yesterday and I put it on. I had to add 2 flat washers under it to get it located correctly but it works good. Now to try it out since the rain stopped

NF6X · May 15, 2020

I got a question by PM from somebody who ordered a cam lever and wanted to know what tools they'd need to bring when they go to their property where their L2501HST lives. I just took mine off the tractor without any tools so I could remember how it goes together and post a picture.

The screw in my cam lever can be adjusted with either a small flat bladed screwdriver or a T-15 Torx driver. Different cam levers might require a different tool. The original thumb screw can come out without any tools, and the cam lever can also come back out without tools. The driver is just needed to adjust the cam lever screw when (re)installing it.

The back side of the sheet metal plate that it mounts on is accessible without disassembling anything else. No tool should be needed for the piece that the thumbscrew or cam lever screws into.

cliffboyer · May 24, 2020

Great mod...thanks for sharing.

I ordered a KIPP branded one from fleabay...about $18 shipped. Very nice aluminum lever.

Only issue I had was removing the factory thumb screw. Guessing they used a one-time use locknut. First the plastic knob broke, then I broke off the threads in the nut. No visible thread locker or corrosion present. Had to cut off welded nut from backing plate. By sheer luck I had one metric M6 nylon locknut in the parts bin. So what should have been a 5 minute job took 20!

This is a must do mod!

Fro65 · May 25, 2020

A couple of other ideas...the cam lever was probably the nicest.
https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25342

DaveMueller · Jun 30, 2020

I found my lever at the local bicycle shop. It's meant for seat posts. The threaded portion was a little long, but the hacksaw fixed that. It was about $6. I took an M6x1 nut with me to check the thread.

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Implement Height Stop Thumbscrew Upgrade

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