3-pt hitch lowers abruptly

[stearman33]

Okay, I've read a bunch of threads about lack of smoothness, herky-jerky control, cycling, won't raise/lower, bleeds down, etc., but here's my specific issue: 3-pt seems to lift strong, raise and lower through entire range, and stays put overnight, but control is very ABRUPT (might drop blade 6 inches, bounces tractor) when just beginning to lower (and to a lesser extent when first beginning to raise) from an intermediate to high initial starting point. Up and down are smooth both directions when low, e.g., blade close to the ground, and anytime once in motion. L245DT. Suction screen is clean. Thanks.

 

[Bluegill]

Have you turned the knob under the front of the seat?

 

[ibunker]

Turn knob under seat "the 3-point hitch lowering speed knob" clockwise will "slow" and counterclockwise will "fast". All the way CW will lock it. Adjust lowering speed to two or more seconds, as quoted from my manual.

 

[manofaus]

as I have found out the knob adjusts your speed depending on the weight of the object on your 3pt hitch.
I have not checked but I don't think a 3pt linkage has power down so it may just rely on gravity. In any event you need to adjust the knob according to what you have on the three point to get the correct speed.
When the dude delivered my tractor he told me not to touch that knob.. But I am human so I read about it and found out what it did exactly.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

X4 I agree the knob under your seat will control the flow. And yes the 3pt is power up and gravity down.

 

[Battered Sav]

I think he's describing more of an initial free fall that then becomes a controlled descent as normal.

I have a similar situation, no matter how the knob under the seat is set the first part of the drop happens quite quickly.
I figured it was normal.

 

[Breeze]

I have a similar situation, no matter how the knob under the seat is set the first part of the drop happens quite quickly.
I figured it was normal.

That doesn't sound right. My attachments move downward with control through the entire range of height.

I'm forced to ask; do you mean that even with the control knob in the position where it would not allow downward movement of the attachment, it still falls? If this isn't the case, perhaps some degree of this valve being opened would slow the rate of fall?

 

[stearman33]

It's exactly as 'Battered Sav' describes, initial free fall, then ops normal. Will play with the speed knob (some more) when I can get back out there, but if it's not this, then what? Wear on the piston interfering with smooth operation?