TO-30 HYDROLIC LIFT KEEPS RAISING UP

The problem is that the Fergusons have a "draft control"
hydraulic system. The control handle sets the pull
on the top link and the system works to keep the
pull at that constant value. The result is that the
handle sets the lifting force, not the height of
the arms. This is great if you are plowing but terrible
for a blade or bush hog. If you lift something heavy
like a bush hog, you can set the handle to hold a
height if you have a constant load hanging on the
top link. Light loads are pretty touchy. The added
problem is when the load increases, the lift lowers
in an attempt to lighten it. If the load lightens,
the lift raises to increase it - both just the
opposite of what you want. Remember, it is keeping
a constant "draft" for a mounted plow that pivots on the
lower arms. I have had years of practice and can do pretty well with my TO-20. An 8N Ford has selectable
height or draft control and if someone could fit it
in, I expect it would work. good luck.

I've only owned my '30 a short time, but limit chains are really the only way to set the bush hog mower's height on our tractors. The lift control essentially just lowers or raises the lift as you've found -- either all the way up or all the way down.

The limit chains provide a "stop" for the lower travel of the bush hog. When you lower the 'hog, the chains hold it at the height you want, not the hydraulics.

The chains also let you worry less about fooling with the hydraulics, and spend more time focusing on other operation of the machine.

If you search the archives for "limit chains" you'll undoubtedly find more informative posts than this one!

Good luck,

Jim

: I recently purchased a to-30 and a bush hog. It is very difficult to get the height adjusted. It either wants to dig into the dirt, or raise all the way up. I used the adjustment (wingnut) on the up down lever to keep it from raising up. I thought this wingnut assembly was to keep the bush hog/implement from going too far down. Anyway is there a way to adjust this so that it stays where I put it?

: I've only owned my '30 a short time, but limit chains are really the only way to set the bush hog mower's height on our tractors. The lift control essentially just lowers or raises the lift as you've found -- either all the way up or all the way down.

: The limit chains provide a "stop" for the lower travel of the bush hog. When you lower the 'hog, the chains hold it at the height you want, not the hydraulics.

: The chains also let you worry less about fooling with the hydraulics, and spend more time focusing on other operation of the machine.

: If you search the archives for "limit chains" you'll undoubtedly find more informative posts than this one!

: Good luck,

: Jim

: : I recently purchased a to-30 and a bush hog. It is very difficult to get the height adjusted. It either wants to dig into the dirt, or raise all the way up. I used the adjustment (wingnut) on the up down lever to keep it from raising up. I thought this wingnut assembly was to keep the bush hog/implement from going too far down. Anyway is there a way to adjust this so that it stays where I put it?

Another way to prevent the mower from going all the way down, is to adjust the spring for the third link of the 3 point hitch which is just behind the seat. If adjusted properly this can have the characteristics of a draft control unit. Just experiment with it and let me know if you have any questions.

: : I've only owned my '30 a short time, but limit chains are really the only way to set the bush hog mower's height on our tractors. The lift control essentially just lowers or raises the lift as you've found -- either all the way up or all the way down.

: : The limit chains provide a "stop" for the lower travel of the bush hog. When you lower the 'hog, the chains hold it at the height you want, not the hydraulics.

: : The chains also let you worry less about fooling with the hydraulics, and spend more time focusing on other operation of the machine.

: : If you search the archives for "limit chains" you'll undoubtedly find more informative posts than this one!

: : Good luck,

: : Jim

: : : I recently purchased a to-30 and a bush hog. It is very difficult to get the height adjusted. It either wants to dig into the dirt, or raise all the way up. I used the adjustment (wingnut) on the up down lever to keep it from raising up. I thought this wingnut assembly was to keep the bush hog/implement from going too far down. Anyway is there a way to adjust this so that it stays where I put it?

: Another way to prevent the mower from going all the way down, is to adjust the spring for the third link of the 3 point hitch which is just behind the seat. If adjusted properly this can have the characteristics of a draft control unit. Just experiment with it and let me know if you have any questions.

db,
Can you give me some more insight on adjusting the top link. It has a screwing mechanism if i'm thinking about the rigt thing (Right?) Should I just tighten it up? What is a draft control system?

: : : I've only owned my '30 a short time, but limit chains are really the only way to set the bush hog mower's height on our tractors. The lift control essentially just lowers or raises the lift as you've found -- either all the way up or all the way down.

: : : The limit chains provide a "stop" for the lower travel of the bush hog. When you lower the 'hog, the chains hold it at the height you want, not the hydraulics.

: : : The chains also let you worry less about fooling with the hydraulics, and spend more time focusing on other operation of the machine.

: : : If you search the archives for "limit chains" you'll undoubtedly find more informative posts than this one!

: : : Good luck,

: : : Jim

: : : : I recently purchased a to-30 and a bush hog. It is very difficult to get the height adjusted. It either wants to dig into the dirt, or raise all the way up. I used the adjustment (wingnut) on the up down lever to keep it from raising up. I thought this wingnut assembly was to keep the bush hog/implement from going too far down. Anyway is there a way to adjust this so that it stays where I put it?

: : Another way to prevent the mower from going all the way down, is to adjust the spring for the third link of the 3 point hitch which is just behind the seat. If adjusted properly this can have the characteristics of a draft control unit. Just experiment with it and let me know if you have any questions.

: db,
: Can you give me some more insight on adjusting the top link. It has a screwing mechanism if i'm thinking about the rigt thing (Right?) Should I just tighten it up? What is a draft control system?

The top link length adjustment is for leveling the implement. In the case of a plow, adjusting the right lift link and the top link are how you get the plow to go into the ground, but yet to plow equally on both bottoms. On a bush hog that top link will set how high the bush hog is lifted though there's probably a slot for the pin at the bushhog so the mower can follow terrain. You probably want the length set so the pin is in the middle of the slot on a level surface. So the wheel on the mower and the three point set the mowing height, not the top link.

Gerald