Tractor Draft Control! Kioti RX7320 field tillage using draft control

Have you ever wondered what the 'extra' blue lever is next to your tractor's regular 3 point lift lever is? We've all heard about tractor draft control, but I certainly have not found many good videos showing exactly how it works and what it might be useful for. So, in today's Farm Vlog I'll be working up several different fields and I'll explain (the best that I can) how the draft control works, what it actually does, and in the last field we do I'll show you just how useful it really can be. The draft control is useful for any kind of tractor implement that cuts into the ground; i.e., tiller, chisel plow, 2, 3, or 4 bottom plows, gang discs, box blade, and probably many more. I've had it on most all of the tractors that I've owned but to be honest never really understood its usefulness until now. Recently I bought a disc chisel plow and I found that it was hard to control the depth of the chisels. I often only wanted to dig up 3 to 4 inches, but when the chisels dug in, I would end up digging up 6 to 8 inches, or even more. In some cases that is OK depending on what you want to accomplish. But in today's video you will see me working up a 'pretty good' field and I only wanted to work up the top 2 to 3 inches. And finally after 're remembering' how it works I was able to do just that, and very successfully!! That last field turned out 'planting ready,' by only using the disc chisel plow, 2 passes, with the draft control set just right. Thanks for joining us, and if you enjoy this video please hit the Like button and share it to help us grow our KZbin family, we'd greatly appreciate that! Also consider subscribing to follow all of our Illinois and Kentucky land management projects, Kioti RX7320 tractor projects, food plots, duck ponds, wildlife conservation projects, wildlife habitat improvement projects, Bobcat mini excavator projects, watering holes, wildlife ponds, floodable duck impoundment project, Bobcat T650 CTL projects, DIY rustic farmhouse decor projects, our Kentucky farmhouse rehab projects, DIY barn wood projects and much more country living adventure! Thank you! Kapper Outdoors, living the dream, one acre at a time.

[@TF856]

Normally DRAFT does not mean DEPTH, it means DRAG or STRAIN. Think of draft horses for pulling heavy loads. You set it for how much you want to drag or strain the engine before the draft control reduces The strain on the engine by lifting the 3-point hitch to a certain amount of strain on the engine. Setting the draft control for higher draft or high strain on the engine or lower draft with low strain on the engine or anywhere in between. The first lever that he mentioned is the depth control to control the working depth of the three point hitch. That's why if you come to a hard spot when pulling a 3 point hitch implement it puts more strain on the engine and the draft control will raise it to lower the stress on the engine. For example rototilling a very hard piece of ground. You can set the depth control at the depth that you want, and regulate the lugging of the engine with the draft control. You can set the draft control where it won't lug the engine too much and as the rototiller follows the contour of the hardness of the ground it will go up and down to keep the lugging of the engine even. And every time you make another pass over that same area it will go a little bit deeper until you reach the depth that you set with the depth control if you make enough passes. (to get good results with a rototiller always keep the tail board all the way down. Otherwise it throws big dirt clods out the back without getting broken up, causing you to make additional passes on the same area.) That's the way it was designed on the tractors that I have operated anyway. That is a very useful feature used on almost all agricultural tractors. It should also work on all 3-point implements that don't use the PTO, ie Plows, discs, etc. (I worked with my dad who did professional commercial rototilling for over 45 years with a 65 hp Massey Ferguson agricultural tractor)

[@kapperoutdoors]

very interesting description. I am no expert for sure, but best I can tell, the draft is more for depth, but could be wrong. I'll keep tinkering with it for sure! Thanks, have a good weekend

[@TF856]

@@kapperoutdoors Watch the video called; "Is there a feature missing from your tractor (Draft Control)"

[@TF856]

@@kapperoutdoors Do you know how to use your drop rate? 😀 Apparently a lot of people that own tractors don't know how to use it or what it is according to a video here on KZbin put out by a tractor dealership. On their video they call it something else but we always called it the drop rate control. And it's not always a knob. On some tractors it's a lever on the side of the transmission housing. You might want to do a video on that since a lot of tractor owners don't know what it is or how to use it. 😀

[@barryhuizing2804]

The pupil becomes the ultimate teacher! Thank you for the education.

[@kapperoutdoors]

Hoorah! Thanks! Always learning!

[@photocontrol]

Good explanation on the draft control Joe and how you're using the feature with your chisel plow to control the depth.

[@kapperoutdoors]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@cutnrun95]

Draft controls main use is for bottom plows. It stops bottom plow from digging to deep with changing ground conditions , it makes field smoother and also helps you from bogging down by keeping you from breaking thru hard pan. If you run disc / chisel level I doubt you’ll have problems with tilling to deep . Chisel plows with springs will break away when encountering roots,rocks and hard pan. You will normally notice change in rpm , ground speed and engine sound with different soil conditions. The chisels on this plow are set deeper than the disc, that’s why disc are only cutting three to four inches when running it level. If you shorten your top link as you plow you will cut deeper with disk and chisels, lengthen top link and chisels will go deeper before disc bottoms out. With a hydraulic top link you have the ability to find sweet spot while plow, helps with changing ground conditions in big fields. Early model tractors hydraulics only had the ability to lift, they used the weight of implement to lower.

[@kapperoutdoors]

Sorry but I respectfully disagree. Without using the draft control that implement will not cut 2". One the chisels hit the ground they pull them chisels even deeper. Draft control worked great to prevent that and I could feel it making the hydraulic adjustments as I crossed the field. Thanks

[@marijanl3373]

Sorry for late reply ,what most people dont understand is that draft control is also useful when driving on the roads with heavy implements hitched to the tractor,it is a safety feature that allows excess pressure and oil to spill into the safety valve when you run into the bumps on the road and start to swing back and forward,other than that it is a must when deep plowing,old Massey Ferguson from 60 years ago is the standard of draft control and who ever get to learn their 3 lever hydraulics control can easily control any modern tractor with any implement hitched to it @@kapperoutdoors

[@kapperoutdoors]

@@marijanl3373 Wow I never thought of that usage! But it makes perfect sense! I know I've been jerked around like that, going fast on a road or bumpy trail with a heavy implement! I'll have to try to remember that! Good info! Thanks

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

The new disk sure works better than what you used last year. Now your getting through the plots in good time and getting the planting in as well. Sweet.

[@kapperoutdoors]

Agreed.. That disc I had just did not have the muscle to cut through sod like this thing does. It was a good exchange if you ask me! Thanks

[@larrytremarki9458]

Good job Kap, informative video keep them coming next stop 100k

[@kapperoutdoors]

Thanks man, maybe at some point we will break the glass ceiling!!!!

[@VERMrunner]

Good way showing, the draft lever always pissed me off so I always had it down all the way. But makes sense now thanks man.

[@kapperoutdoors]

Hey I'm with you man, I wasted years and years trying to figure the dang thing out! I still don't think I have it down, I bet it could be useful in many more ways! Thanks

[@dustdevl1043]

I reckon you can teach an old dog new tricks! Good stuff to know Kapper.

[@kapperoutdoors]

lol, yep I think so. As long as he is willing to learn something new!

[@tractorcorleone]

A nice and comfortable tractor 👍👍

[@kapperoutdoors]

Sure is! I am really liking this RX7320!! Thank you!

[@kapperoutdoors]

I see you have an awesome channel on virtual tractors and machines! Cool stuff! But if you ever want to come and get the real smell of dirt and mud, and fresh rubber tires, holler! You could come to the farm and give some machines a whirl! Thanks.

[@kapperoutdoors]

Wow, you've got some awesome vids! New sub :)

[@tractorcorleone]

@@kapperoutdoors ,thank you very much 👍👍

[@SheepyHollowCanada]

Interesting... I'd like to know even more about all the different functions of different levers and switches... if you want to make some of those videos.

[@Horsingabout]

Well presented

[@kapperoutdoors]

Thank you, I appreciate that

[@dehavenfamilyfarm]

Draft control certainly can be useful!

[@bobpaterson1845]

Some tractors use a load sensing valve worked by the top link at the tractor end while others usually bigger higher horse power machines achieve the same result with lower link sensing which is through the 2 main lift arms 👍

[@kapperoutdoors]

Good info. Life is always a learning curve if you are willing to learn! I used it again today with the Rhino Tiller! Thanks.

[@marcopomponi8482]

Great explanation and more importantly a real world application! Where did you get that spinner on your steering wheel?

[@kapperoutdoors]

Thanks man I appreciate it that's a generic spinning wheel a friend of mine gave me though from Nottingham UK. Although I'm guessing he ordered it on Amazon LOL

[@tomsales263]

do you know if the draft control and the lift lever need to be in a certain position for the 3 point lift lever on the rear to work? i have a DK55 and i don't seem to be able to get it to work.

[@51eoj]

watching the video you explained that you set the lift arm lever all the way down with the main lift arm lever and then you set the draft control lever for the depth you wanted. when you got to the end of the field to make the turn around and lifted the implement, which lever do you use the main lift lever or the draft control lever??

[@kapperoutdoors]

If I remember correct I believe you lift the main lever, but its been a minute, lol.

[@tomlewis632]

it would have been nice to see the settings you had before and after to get a better idea. I have a brand new Massey, just using a finish mower with it, but running the draft from extremes, does cause some changes, but i am not sure what is needed. my property is very hilly with some ruff areas that a zero turn will bounce your fanny hard. the tractor does ok, sometimes i hear the mower hit hard, but with 50% draft, it seems a little smoother on the hills when it flexes at the top and bottoms.

[@kapperoutdoors]

It's been awhile since that video, you are probably right I may not have covered the whole process well enough. That draft control sure takes some practice and getting used to. Best of luck thanks

[@michaelelwood8476]

Hey Joe, once you have draft control lever digging the depth that you want it, do you then lift and lower the Implement with the black lever, say when your at the end of a row and turning around?

[@dutchstarshawn9987]

When we used breaking plows to roll over the ground before no-till became the normal in farming, we would set the draft control on the tractors and leave it in that position while using the regular 3point lift for raising/lowering the 3point to turn around.

[@kapperoutdoors]

Good question for sure. I've been experimenting with that. Not 100% certain yet that it works the same that way, but I can't be for sure. I think that is how it is designed to work though. But the problem is that in hilly country you are constantly changing the depth, whether you are going uphill, down hill or on a sidehill. But on flat ground I think you are correct, set the blue draft lever to your depth, then just use the regular lever from there on out. Sometimes I wish I'd have some flat ground, but I really love the hills, even though they present unique challenges! Thanks man

[@jonathanfrecking1210]

Michael Elwood , you shouldn't use the draft control lever to raise implements . Set the depth with the 3pt lever that you want and then adjust the draft control lever to maintain that depth. That is how it works. Like another guy said previously there's 2 different systems that can be used, top link draft sensing and lower link draft sensing. Lower link draft sensing is better in my opinion.

[@michaelelwood8476]

@@jonathanfrecking1210 thank you...which style would a newer tractor like Kappers likely have?

[@jetdrvr5909]

Very nice joe. Hey , haven’t seen iron mike lately. How’s he doing???

[@kapperoutdoors]

I've been trying to get ahold of him but no luck. Not sure what is going on.

[@howtodave1725]

I have a 1978 MF-230 SN# 9A293xxx with a broken draft control spring. When reinstalling what is the spring pre-load process/spec?

[@avslash]

Curious. Which quick hitch are you running on your 7320? Happy with it?

[@kapperoutdoors]

I use a deere imatch. It fits more implements because the top hook is a little more narrow. It has worked quite well over the years

[@waynegalyen6176]

Hi kapper, on mind branson, I have one lever that has numbers on it, is that like having draft control

[@kapperoutdoors]

Hey as long as you can get it to work usefully for you! Thanks, good luck.

[@marcuscarrier1236]

Where did you purchase this disc chisel from if you don't mind sharing? I have been looking for that exact one & size for my food plot business. Thanks!

[@kapperoutdoors]

I'm pretty sure I have his number listed in this video. It is Cameron Haney. I think I listed it during the video. Good luck and if you call him be sure to tell him that you saw it at Kapper Outdoors! Thank you and good luck! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3S9kqODlKh3r7M

[@marcuscarrier1236]

@@kapperoutdoors thanks!

[@farmer2521]

Draft has nothing to do with the depth setting of the implement. It has to do with with tractive force of the tractor. When the implement hits harder soil, it causes the tractor to lose tractive force. As a result, the draft control causes the implement to lift slightly to gain tractive force. Once it regains it, it returns the implement back to the preset depth.

[@kapperoutdoors]

Man, I can't confirm nor deny that, as I've seen/heard/read so many different things. Actual info form tractor manufacturer's suggests that the draft helps keep the same depth level when the plow wants to dig in and go deeper. It sure seemed to work like that for me. Thanks.

[@riverfallscory]

I sure wish you would subscribe to some no till fields!

[@kapperoutdoors]

I've done a lot of no till. But I have an 'old' no till planter. It is a constant learning curve to be sure trying to find the best combinations!! Thanks.

[@davidlessig231]

The disk is useless unless you drop in the ground it's doing nothing but floating on top of ground

[@kapperoutdoors]

Life is just one big learning curve... You test things as you go.