The most MISUNDERSTOOD control on a tractor - TMT

[@mikebmechanic]

I disagree. I think the most misunderstood control on a tractor is the draft control on the three point hitch lift system.

[@larrypatterson3957]

Another great video.....keep 'em comin'! UPDATE: I read about this when I got my tractor 10 years ago and completely forgot about it. Lately I was thinkin' what a pain it is to try and lower the brush hog without droppin' it on the ground. Well, duhhhhhh. Thanks for reminding me. I went to close the valve and found it was full open and wrench tight. I couldn't break it loose. I hit the seal area with a little squirt of WD-40. I then wrapped the knob in a shop towel and took a pair of ChannelLock pliars and ever so gently tried to close it. I felt it break loose and then it was easy as pie to rotate back and forth. I started my tractor and raised up the implement with the valve fully closed. I then adjusted it to the speed I wanted and it worked perfectly. Thanks for the great tips you give and in particular, this great reminder to make sure you exercise this valve.

[@nachthawknighthhawk6588]

Bought land a little over a year ago, and just got used tractors. I found your videos yesterday and subscribed. Thanks for helping newbies like me.

[@kdegraa]

It’s interesting how your phone listens and passes on your struggles to KZbin to give you advice. Even if no one cares what you say or do at least Google is listening. People say is bad your phone listens to you and tracks where you go. However people say we don’t listen or care about each other anymore.

[@bropocalypse2065]

Great video. I like the part about cranking the knob between your legs waiting for something to happen because I can relate.

[@tifino1692]

... used to play with that same knob, as a kid, on Dad's old B275. He'd always be angry later on, and give me a clip over the ear'ole for doing it again...

[@jamest3552]

lol

[@williamwells8341]

😂😂😂😂

[@kerriwilson7732]

Did you hear the comedian's story about his dad welding his Cockshutt? It's on here somewhere.

[@kenpeterson327]

Way to funny

[@racinjayson76h98]

One of my favorite controls for using a box blade when I’m reconditioning the driveway.

[@Dungeon_of_Regret]

this is the most useful random video to ever have popped up in my feed.

[@marknussbaum8394]

I'd nominate the draft control adjuster as the most misunderstood control. Owners eventually figure out the three-point-hitch restrictor valve. Draft control, over 75% of tractor owners who have it have no clue what it is or how to use it. Love your videos.

[@MessicksEquip]

Definitely was a contender. Only admitted because most small tractors don't have it.

[@johndough9187]

You mean omitted.

[@marknussbaum8394]

Good point. Years ago practically every small tractor had draft control; now lots of small tractors don't have it. I have a JD 5075E which I consider a bigger utility tractor and while I really like it, the draft control system is crude compared to smaller tractors I drove in my youth. It's just not a function that's appreciated or requested much anymore.

[@plakor6133]

@@MessicksEquip Thanks for this video, I definitely learned something. My old JD 1050 has the draft control, and I do not know how to use it. I would appreciate some education on this feature.

[@MessicksEquip]

See my other videos

[@bobframe1949]

I've had my Kubota tractor for 17 years and never understood what this knob did. Recently I've noticed that when I lowered my rotary cutter (HEAVY) it was causing the tractor to buck (exactly as you showed) and I could not figure out what was causing this. Now I know. Many thanks!!!!!

[@macgabhann1108]

so this explaines why my log spliter droped like a rock last time but bearly moved the first time i tryed using it, very helpfull video thank you for this explanation.

[@bluelude2001]

Sweet. Going to shut my brothers valve on his tractor. It will take him forever to figure it out. Haha.

[@davehoward2791]

Dude, LMAO on this. Next time I go to my brother's house I'm gonna do that to him too. Thanks for a laugh and a great idea! 👍

[@stevesmythe7215]

LOLOLOL!!

[@sandycampos127]

Gotta love brotherly love ✌✌

[@bluelude2001]

Update- yesterday was at his house. I nonchalantly asked him if he knew what that knob does. He said no. The stage is set. Next time I'm out there I'm doing it.

[@tnwhitley]

😂 😂 😂 😂

[@lynnrice6620]

Thank you so much! Helping my brother who couldn't figure out how to lower the arms. He has dementia, so I'm learning more than I want to on the farm equipment!

[@daniellehakata9143]

I have a b7100 kabota that I recently inherited never noticed that valve under the seat. This will make using my rototiller much nicer to use THANK YOU for making the videos

[@TOPLS70]

BEST Kubota Tractor user videos available. THANK YOU.

[@michaels8050]

It saddens me to think that enough people didn't know this that it was worth making a video about.

[@navaraboy3000]

Even my 1968 massey 135 has this feature, surprisingly useful and regularly used.

[@turbodiesel4709]

navaraboy3000 : That simply depends on how you use your tractor. Not everyone uses a tractor for the same tasks. Some may use the hell out of it, others may rarely use it, and some may never use it at all.

[@miketorres1992]

Great Info For New Owners and Operators Keep it Up and be safe

[@Vaessen13]

Thank you sooooo much!!! My BX2680 has this and I was completely in the dark about this.....you guys are great!!!

[@waynes.2983]

Your instructional videos are very helpful. I suggest making one talking about the importance of every person who operates a tractor taking the time to read the manual. I don't own a tractor but I use them at work & at times I am held responsible for damages done by any employees below me who I give the ok to run the tractors. I make sure they read and thoroughly understand the operators manual. It may save a life & it certainly has saved the equipment from a lot of wear & tear.

[@turbodiesel4709]

Wayne S. : Best thing to do with a new employee is send them home with a copy of the tractor's "Owner's Manual" for a week and tell them to read it from cover to cover and then to come and see you with any questions. Tell them that there will be a quiz, with you, at the end of the week. Tell them that you will know if they read it or not, and that they will be fired if they don't read the manual. You'd be surprised how they will actually make the time to actually read it for once! If you take the time to go over the equipment with them in person, and SHOW them how to operate it, you'd be amazed how helpful that really is to ANY person that is not 100% familiar with a given piece of equipment. Of course, you need to know everything about it yourself! LOL (You'd be surprised how many owner's don't even know how to properly operate their own equipment.)

[@ellesar04]

What's nice is open that valve up with a mower like that when it's already down. It will let it follow the terrain more quickly.

[@marka8486]

thisbis the absolute best channel for any and all tractor information. thank you for doing this !

[@semco72057]

That is a nice tip as I was one of those who didn't know anything about that knob either when I got my first tractor.

[@turbodiesel4709]

Sidney Mathious : That's what they make Owner's Manual's for. Ya know, it's that thing that's made out of paper, has print and pictures in it, and you actually have to READ the words in it? It's also why you have a brain and a mouth, so you can ASK and find out from someone that knows. I'm always amazed how ignorant people actually CHOOSE to be about so many things in life. Don't tell me you didn't have a manual either. Lame excuse. They are almost always available for purchase even for the real old stuff. Additionally, nowadays with the internet you can find all kinds of information easily, if you actually want to find out.

[@jamesmaddox1450]

@@turbodiesel4709 Americans are the 1st in the world to "become as they were in the days of Noah", judging by that response.

[@eosjoe565]

If the drop-rate valve is not used regularly or lubricated as per the manual they can easily seize up and become inoperative. This is quite common on used tractors where the previous owner never changed the setting.

[@mechmusicman]

I bought a m6060 with 400 hours and my valve is seized up. I’ve used kroil, WD 40. Nothing seems to work. Any advice?

[@duckhunter8387]

@@mechmusicman I had to put an implement on mine, drive it to bounce it a little and then it un-seized (if that's a word).

[@margaretlang1813]

Thank you for this video and all the others [especially the BX1800 and BX25D] my tractor has been "bucking" lately. I knew about the TMT knob, but I didn't know which way to turn it. I tried both ways, but maybe not enough. The tractor bucked either way and the symbol on the knob is no clue to me. I was able to see you turn it clockwise to close the valve. I live too far away to have your company maintain my tractors, but your videos have helped me a lot! Thanks.

[@stantilton3339]

From one of those guys who didn't know what that knob was for. Thank you so much, I too thought something was wrong.

[@twistedlimb4053]

thought it was a seat adjustment

[@derrick9653]

I think that the reason that this video was needed was the rise of the utility tractor. A lot of tractor owners today may use them for gardening or small scale farming as well as around their property but they weren't raised by farmers or around tractors enough to know all this stuff as kids.

[@keithlucas6260]

Most of us who grew up around tractors were taught to first close the valve everytime an implement was changed out, then drop the lever all the way down and slowly turn or adjust the knob/lever......"draft control" is a completely different lever and deals with the force required to lift the implement out of "hard spots" when your tire begins to slip.

[@hp2084]

Well, there is position control then there is draft and then there is sensitivity.

[@georgepruitt637]

@@hp2084 It was known as a "rate of drop" valve on MF.

[@hp2084]

@@georgepruitt637 Sensitivity is different then rate of drop. Sensitivity is how much the tractor will be allowed to lug before the implement is lifted so that the tractor starts moving.

[@georgepruitt637]

Hence the multiple positions on top link mounting on tractor.@@hp2084

[@TheAdminjack]

Best explanation I've heard. Thanks.

[@SethKrieger]

Aha! I knew that the valve adjusted the 3pt rate of drop, but didn't realize that it could/should be fine-tuned for each implement to assure SMOOTH drop movement. EXCELLENT!

[@primalrex1905]

I subscibed a looong time ago and I watch every single video.. and I'm not even American. I'm from Germany and watch your videos because one can learn so much from them. These videos are VERY useful!

[@waynes.2983]

On some models it is located near the rear of the seat.

[@darthcccc5006]

You are correct, had no idea what it was for lol.. thanks

[@brandoncaldwell95]

I dont have that on my mahindra 4535. Then again, it was orginally a backhoe type tractor. Usually with that model hydros were options. The Pervious owner kept the hoe, and traded the tractor at 100 hours due to it being open controls for closed cabin. Hell of a deal as its sisters 4545 ran 27k. and the 4555 running 32k. We got our tractor for 18k and 4x4.

[@zenmaster1979]

If you're paying attention you can learn something new everyday!

[@lukeantoniuk]

I have wondered what that did but didn't touch it! But now I'll check it out. Thanks!

[@ohhpaul7364]

There was a control knob for the spring in the seat that sat right above this valve knob on the 3830 Model, cant remember exact number but right series. My father liked for his seat to move one way, and I adjusted it for the way I liked it when I rode it. One of us got on the tractor one day and turned the wrong knob, then for the life of us neither of us could figure out why the implement would not go down. We loaded the tractor and took it to the dealer, who then showed us what was wrong. We both felt rather foolish, and having wasted about 3 hours, returned to work knowing how to operate that valve.

[@waynes.2983]

Ohh Paul the L48 also has the seat spring tension knob just above the hydraulic control knob.

[@bryanswing135]

I love these videos, I have a L3901 and am learning alot . Thanks

[@no_handle_required]

This is not even in my tractor manual. Brilliant video!

[@Tableaux15]

The Belarus T250 actually can push down. It utilizes a double acting cylinder to operate the 3 point.

[@ralphhix754]

Great Video. Owned a L3130D for about ten years. I knew what that control was, but not how to adjust it PROPERLY. THANKS.

[@skungagook]

I seen a belarus tractor (russian made) have down pressure. it would actually lift the rear end of the tractor off the ground. i thought it was awesome and wondered why other manufactures didnt put that feature on tractors because i can think of many uses from being able to add weight to an implient like a disc hydralicly or if you got stuck you could lift the tractor up and throw something under the tire to get out on.

[@JohnWilson-ql8ks]

i am and have been subscribed since day one.. when you had a part for my Cub Cadet SC2400 that no one else had..

[@Coffieman5150]

Thankyou for this video, I'm not a regular tractor driving person and have no user manual for my farmall so every tip and trick helps. (lots)

[@skungagook]

You want find that knob on a farmall it has touch controll hydralics.

[@timdouglass9831]

I'm pretty sure that I remember using a tractor with hydraulic down-pressure on the 3-point. It would have been 30 years ago or so and the tractor probaby 20-30 years old at the time, but I recall that it was very handy with the back blade for leveling the driveway. At the time we had Ford, JD, International, and maybe something else tractors so who knows.

[@turbodiesel4709]

Case's "Eagle Hitch" and IH's "2-point fast hitch" had down pressure on certain models of their tractors. Not sure about the others.

[@kirksway1]

i'm pretty sure Deere has it on many of there models. I know that my Dad has it on some of his.

[@Brute750]

Thank you, I learned something new and don’t even own a tractor. While watching this video I likened the restriction valve to a straw filled with water and your finger over the hole at the end. The water stays in the straw, but depending on how much you open or remove your finger controls the flow of how much water escapes the straw. This to me is a perfect example of how the restriction valve works to control the speed of lowering your implements to the ground. Take care and God Bless

[@DanuserCompany]

Just found this channel and it's awesome. You really cover it all! Can't wait to see more. Thanks!

[@markl2761]

There are some tractor manufacturing co. That make down pressure on the three point hitch. Such as the Belarus

[@silverrussell1978]

This is an excellent explanation. Thank You ......

[@Milo30066]

I did not know that! Thanks now I know. I'll adjust my kabota tomorrow.

[@gazdeb80]

I use to like tricking the guys at work with our old Ford Tractors. In the 70's and 80's they never had this option. What they had was like a push rod one instead under the seat. You would push it and the 3 point linkage wouldn't work lol. Learnt in on the farm in the 60's and early 70's when i was a kid. We had a Ford 3000, grey petrol Fergie and a Fordson Major.

[@eosjoe565]

I would like to nominate the hydrostatic forward/reverse pedals as the SECOND most misunderstood control on a tractor. The majority of new tractor owners treat the pedals as you would the gas pedal on a car or truck meaning when they need more power they mash the pedal down which has the exact opposite effect.

[@MessicksEquip]

that's on my list for a future 3-minute thursday :-)

[@bud1412]

EOSJOE I

[@trentwheeler6161]

EOSJOE Truth! If you need to pull a stuck vehicle, stump or something else throttle up and lightly push the peddle forward or reverse for maximum gear ratio/ torque out of a HST trans

[@tractorboy31]

I like gear shift tractor much better than the hydros ive used if i had a newer tractor i would want a reverser trans tractor but since im old school with a hand clutch JD i am happy the way it is

[@eosjoe565]

A hydro is really nice when you need to work in very tight quarters but nothing beats gear drive for power. With a hydro it's too easy for the pressure relief valve to trip which results in the tractor just sitting there whining at you and no tire movement. With gear drive when you release the clutch it's either going to move, stall, spin or flip. :-)

[@Hungry_Tree_Ghost]

Allen Harper knows his stuff!

[@bruno640]

Wow, my neighbor got an OPERATORS-manual included, with his new-Kubota just last week--and it addressed this very-"issue". (Maybe he paid-extra for the privilege of such-included, or somethin'?) Not-unlike the "Traction-Booster"-control on the steering-stalk of my-antique WD-45 Allis-Chalmers--and also not to mention equally-unpredictable, as well.....!☺

[@coreymcconnell1908]

Awesome thanks, I am having that exact issue with my BX2380, now I can tune my 3 point hitch drop rate. I thought the knob was for the mower deck height adjustment (that I don't have) .

[@duckhunter8387]

Mower knob will have something like 1-4 and top written on it.

[@mtmtodd]

I really appreciate you taking the time to do these videos. They really help me a lot. I just subscribed to your channel. Thanks again.

[@captainskippy6622]

Great information. Does this valve also control the speed of the front bucket? I purchased my first tractor and appreciate your videos.

[@MessicksEquip]

Nothing to do with the loader

[@captainskippy6622]

Thank you.

[@jbrandonjackson1609]

Your content is very informative and the presentation is understandable for the novice. Thanks Messick's

[@ericpigg2689]

Must admit. Own an L3010. Had no idea about this. Lowering my bush hog makes it like a rodeo. Thanks a million!

[@yauwohn]

I learned that by trying everything out on my first tractor years back. I'm pretty certain the vast majority of farmers are well aware of that valve and it's function.

[@no_handle_required]

Not around here. I asked 5 guys around me that have run tractors for over 15 years and they each gave a different answer, 2 of them didn't even know what it was for. So I asked the dealer, and they had to look it up, which meant a phone call to the manufacturer because its not even in the manual.

[@duckhunter8387]

Farmers aren't the only people that have tractors.

[@wildbill23c]

Hmm, well that should be part of the delivery to the customer is going over all the controls apparently some dealers don't have a clue about the equipment they sell either if that information isn't passed to the customer when the equipment is delivered.

[@MessicksEquip]

Having gone though this with literally 100's Of people, you can't retain so much new info at one time.

[@davidbeattie7093]

Nothing against you guys but I have seen more than A few Salesmen at Farm Equipment Dealerships that couldn't even start most of the tractors on the lot.

[@kellytrelawney8979]

Or the customer is swamped by new info they can't relate to , so they immediately forget it.

[@bobbybaucom4489]

@Stopthewar Taylor wow. That's a company I would never rent from again.

[@davej7458]

If you're using a post hole auger how should that valve be set, can it be too restrictive? Does that make a difference in the operation of the auger?

[@jonathanbartsch9728]

I really appreciate your videos Neil!

[@brianglassburn2086]

I happen to learn that control the hard way when my post hole digger wouldn't come down and I finally remembered what I'd done before.

[@kenpeterson327]

If you were a little closer to Lake Charles LA. I would buy from you I have been going to these tractor places here and they know absolute nothing!!! I learn more in 3 minutes here then when I spend an hour in the dealership.

[@P245Sig]

I really appreciate the videos and learn a lot from them. Someday I'll get to use all this knowledge...

[@RoanJS]

It's worth getting to know how to work that valve with a rear blade or posthole auger.

[@turbodiesel4709]

Yes, in fact it's worth knowing for almost ANY 3-point mounted implement.

[@tomkrzemecki5166]

I would like to see a video on a HST tractor and whether you should use full pedal or partial pedal along with engine rpm.

[@MessicksEquip]

Recorded that today actually

[@jeffhale2278]

Good vid, but, does no one read their operator's manual before using the tractor. I always fully close mine after use, before I head back to the barn, especially if it involves driving on the road.

[@dustinkeir]

I learned something, within a minute, thanks!

[@cookiecrumbles4024]

Need a video on a 2002 BX 22 on issues of why it will not stay started.... I have changed the fuel filters and the fuel solenoid.. got it started but then went to move the tractor it shut down an d now wont start again!???? what is stopping the thing.

[@glennwilliams15]

Thank you sir. Love my 2380 with F E L and 54 inch mower

[@fendert1384]

This is why you read and understand your manuals, its in there.

[@johnparson5719]

who reads manuals?

[@mikesamples2534]

John Parson people that know what that knob is for

[@johnrtrucker]

I dont own a tractor or operated one but I do know about that valve lol maybe on other tractors it's in a different place but that's why the owners manual is important no matter what you operate

[@asutton1364]

Lefty loosely? So where do I want to set it?

[@sgtcrab1]

Some tractors DO have down pressure on the three point hitch. Belarus 520 for one.

[@crzykev11]

My uncle and were wondering what that did just a few days ago lol

[@chuckwyble7719]

Great video. Now can you do the same thing about adjusting reaction speed on the frontend loader?

[@MessicksEquip]

Throttle

[@ehsnils]

Modern tractors are pretty easy to drive. Having grown up on a farm I have encountered tractors with two clutch pedals, crawling gears and a lot of other stuff that makes those modern tractors seem pretty simple.

[@wildbill23c]

Many of the newer ones you just press a pedal to go forward or backwards LOL...I've never owned a tractor, operated a few but man these new ones really make you lazy when you go back to an older tractor and run it for a while LOL.

[@mcconn746]

The brakes on some old tractors are terrible when moving in reverse. You have to be real careful when going up a hill to not stop and have to hold the tractor in place. They work fine when going forward.

[@OscarRodriguez-wz1xf]

I would like to have one of those trying to tractors

[@terrybyrd5105]

Didn't know this control existed. Apparently older Yanmars don't have this feature - one must feather the implement down to control bounce (or a crashing drop).

[@CountryboyCale]

Most older tractors don’t. My old farmtrac (I bet you are questioning what is a farmtrac) doesn’t have this and it’s great for discing because it slams down and into the ground

[@sideskraft]

Excellent video Neil. Is there an "easy" way to adjust the upward motion/speed of the 3-point hitch? Mine is very jerky -- I can move the lever over an inch and nothing happens, then moving it a bit more causes the hitch to suddenly jump up. That continues all the way to the full upright position. Downward operation is identical to what's shown in your video.

[@MessicksEquip]

there is not. when we see that kind of behavior, it usually indicates a mechanical problem. could be the system sucking air somewhere.

[@kentobin3045]

Thanks Again!! Good to know and as always you videos are a big help.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

Nice tractor, nice video.

[@larryalexander4833]

Your wrong on one point. Some tractors do have down pressure on the lift . This is a very good feature using some imlpemeants

[@drewwilke1733]

John Deere offers hydraulic down pressure for the 3pt on 3 series to mod size tractors I think. Not sure on the tractor they install them on

[@MessicksEquip]

Yea, there are kits... And a handful of implements that you can add down force kits to.

[@egreenie3819]

For Sale: Brand new FDR1660. Never seen a blade of grass and has never been dropped. Best offer!

[@tomhodge2565]

Where are you located and do you still have the fdr1660 finish mower for sale ?

[@davidlloyd6963]

Great video. Is it possible for the plastic knob on the valve to disconnect from the rod it's on so that when you turn the knob the shaft doesn't move and the three point won't lower? I've seen this on a BX1870.

[@BunkerhillRanch]

Thanks for the clear explanation-very helpful. QUESTION- on our L47, the control lever for box blade is EXTREMELY tight. Is there a way to loosen it up?

[@MessicksEquip]

WD40

[@BunkerhillRanch]

Thanks. Yea tried that n silicone spray- its almost like its binding internally. Have had an L39 , and L35 .....so in comparison, this one is just so hard to move. Keep making those videos - its a great help to those of us using Kubota tractors. And thanks for replying too! DB

[@TheShalomstead]

I remember when I found that control on my neighbors tractor when I borrowed it to help fix our road. Before that I was just slamming that box blade down everywhere. 😂

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

Excellent videos from you keep them coming

[@aderek79]

I had no idea what that knob did. Then again I've never driven a tractor and don't expect to. So that figures.

[@skeller77]

Will the valve also affect the mid mount mower? I have a bx1880 and when I lower and raise the mower deck the 3pt also moves. So if you shut the valve completely will it also not let the mower deck go down?

[@MessicksEquip]

Yes sir

[@jamesmullis6827]

Throughly enjoy your videos!

[@mumenrider862]

doesn't it affect the FEL too?

[@deedeewinfrey3181]

Thank you.

[@mxadema]

What you mean, 3 point hitch don't have down pressure. I can lift my right off the ground

[@turbodiesel4709]

Jason Desjardins : The vast majority of farm tractors don't. He's referring to what he sells, which are Kubota's, and none of them do.

[@wgrangerjr1]

Thank you. I had no idea.

[@FarmerMarc1]

Please make a video on how to use the many adjustments on a box blade. I am just realizing that the box blade has so many configurations like even angles for up and down, and tilting forwards.

[@homesteadessentials]

Great videos! Never knew what that knob did!

[@bobvogel5398]

I knew that... as in "used to remember it". Thanks for the reminder!