[jimbo]

Help me out guys. I pulled the 3 point hitch off my 318 as I make progress towards stripping the frame for sandblasting, but I don't know what to do with the hydraulic cylinder??? I know it can't just lay there and I didn't find anything in the service manual regarding install/uninstall of a 3 point. I guess because it's optional. If somebody has the instructions on this, I'd appreciate a heads up. Thanks for all your help.

James

 

[cmitcham]

maybe it's just me, but i don't understand your question. in the picture, the rockshaft has been removed, but the rockshaft bushings have been re-installed. if you're stripping to sandblast, the cylinder, the rearend, and everything else needs to come off.

lots of work, but you will not regret it.

 

[lodogg2221]

I think he is just asking about removing the cylinder, which isnt part of the actual 3-point...its probably covered under rockshaft removal or some such similar item in the manual...

As far as the cylinder goes, Id remove it, remove the lines and cap them off, then put the cylinder somewhere safe where it cant get dirt and other stuff in it.

 

[jimbo]

No problem. The reason the bushings are back on is to keep all loose parts together for the time being. All the small stuff will go into a bag with a label and then into a box labeled "3 Point".

My question is, assuming you were going to remove the 3 point temporarily, after you remove the rockshaft, what do you do to keep the cylinder secure? Do you remove it and attach a bypass hose to the control valve? How is the cylinder "dealt with" when removing the 3 point hitch from a running tractor. As you can see from the pictures, it's just hanging there and I'm sure that's not the solution. If you had the 3 point on your tractor and had been plowing with it and decided you were through for the season and wanted to take it off the tractor, what would you do to the lift cylinder? Obviously, I'll be removing everything from the frame on my 318 as I will be blasting it. Sorry for the confusion.

James

 

[jimbo]

Jim, thanks. So the cylinder is "Not" part of the 3 point assembly? All the 318's had a this cylinder attached to the inside of the frame rails by some means awaiting the addition of a 3 point hitch? Interesting. If true, then it would be convenient to find the bracket that holds the cylinder in place when not attached to the rockshaft.

thanks,

james

 

[Lorenjr]

James, this cylinder and rockshaft are also used in the lowering and raising for the mower deck.

 

[lodogg2221]

That cylinder is not just for the 3-point.
That cylinder is on every tractor of that type frame regardless if it came with a 3-point or not.

From the factory, there would have been a standard rockshaft in place of your 3-point rockshaft, that obviously would not have had the upper lift arms.
The reason being is that it is still needed for mower deck lift, as well as a few rear attachments that bolt to it on the ends...like the 30 tiller lift brackets for instance.

What I would do is as I stated before. Cap the lines, and take the cylinder out until I was done painting if I REALLY wanted to take it all the way out. Most likely, Id just cover it with a heavy plastic and set it aside, off its mount.

There really is no reason to run without that cylinder in place, or with the entire 3-point off the tractor...which makes me wonder...did you not have to long "straps" that went from the sides of the rockshaft (two small pins) toward the front of the tractor to two brackets that pivot?

 

[jimbo]

Loren, thanks.

Jim, Yes, I have the long lift arms. As far as I can tell, the 3 point I have is complete. Loren cleared it up nicely with the "mower deck uses it too" comment. Thanks to you Jim, I now know that there was a "standard" rockshaft that came with the tractor that is non-3pt.
As far as the cylinder goes, I'll just remove it and cap off the valves like you said, especially since I am painting every single piece of metal on the tractor and that includes the valve body.

Thanks again guys.

James