Understanding Tractor Settings - Float/Draft Control

[cutman]

I have a lot of experience on various tractors over the years, and I feel like I generally do a pretty good job with my projects whether they be bush hogging, discing, planting, or spraying. One thing I don't fully understand, however, is how to properly use the draft control lever and float setting on the 3 pt hitch.

The tractor in question is a JD 5075E. I have read the manual numerous times, and it sort of makes sense to me, but I'm still not 100%. My understanding is that when using "Ground Engaging Implements," the draft control lever should be engaged (and adjusted to the desired setting). What is a ground engaging implement? I know the obvious ones like plows and discs, but what a about a 3 pt planter?

On top of that, should I use float mode more often than I am? I don't think I've ever used it for anything, but it makes sense to use it for the planter so that it can more accurately follow the contour of the field. My tractor manual says float mode is established by pushing the draft control lever and 3 pt position lever all the way forward. Should I do that then adjust the level of the planter with the center link?

 

[OkieKubota]

I don't have a planter but the only times I don't use the float setting is when I am brushhogging and when I am just wanting to tickle the top of the soil with the disk...Most everything else is all the way down and following contour...

 

[E_308]

I always use it on the brush hog with the bigger tractors.

 

[lakngolf]

I never consider the 3pt hitch to have a float per se. Except that all the way down the implement will flow to the resistance. I use float on FEL to smooth things while backing up.

 

[Longleaf]

The main thing about draft control is to manage the lift to maintain traction in hard/soft ground. It is going to be more helpful when you are pulling something like a bottom plow, v-plow or a disk that is near the upper end of what your tractor can handle. As the force on the implement increases it will eventually reach a point where the tractor looses traction and starts to spin. Think of draft control as managing the amount of tension between the implement and the tractor before the lift starts to raise- thereby lowering the tension until traction is regained.

I do like E-308 in that when I am bush hogging I use "float" mode which is basically just putting position control down to the level I need it, then pushing draft control all the way forward so it takes the minimal amount of tension between the bush hog and tractor to raise the lift. If the bush hog starts to dig in it doesn't take long before the lift will raise slightly.

I don't worry about draft control with a planter. The drive wheels are doing more to maintain depth and handle ground contours than the lift can, and the coulters are not going to create enough drag to break traction under most conditions. If you ever did find yourself having trouble pulling a planter though, you could quickly adjust the draft control to raise the lift just prior to loosing traction.

 

[Smallplot]

Most 3 point arms float naturally. One can grab a side and lift it from a lowered position. there is only gravity and the weight of implement / lift arm to lower it. Very few 3 point systems have actual down pressure which would need assistance in floating during use.

Draft is also something I never use. Honestly I don't want the implement lifting in the ground and not functioning at the chosen depth. If there is a constant need for draft control, consider either a bigger tractor or smaller implement. On my tractor for instance I need to change one pin which allows the top link to be slightly movable on a spring. As the base of the spring moves, the implement raises and lowers on its own. Can honestly say the pin has always been set in the solid mount position and the only time I move the lever is if it is in the way or if I am board.


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[Longleaf]

Smallplot you are correct that on many lift arms there is no effort required to pick up on the lift arms. Keep in mind though that draft control is about the resistance the implement is creating against the tractor.

The bottom plow is where draft control apparently originated. When a bottom plow gets into soft/boggy soil or when it encounters a sudden incline it will start to dig deeper. The deeper it digs the more resistance it creates against the tractor until it reaches a point where the tractor looses traction or stalls. Draft control is a means of keeping the plow running at a constant resistance which means it also helps to manage the depth of the plow.

Anyway - I'm getting off in the weeds when I didn't really mean to.

 

[Smallplot]

Smallplot you are correct that on many lift arms there is no effort required to pick up on the lift arms. Keep in mind though that draft control is about the resistance the implement is creating against the tractor.

The bottom plow is where draft control apparently originated. When a bottom plow gets into soft/boggy soil or when it encounters a sudden incline it will start to dig deeper. The deeper it digs the more resistance it creates against the tractor until it reaches a point where the tractor looses traction or stalls. Draft control is a means of keeping the plow running at a constant resistance which means it also helps to manage the depth of the plow.

Anyway - I'm getting off in the weeds when I didn't really mean to.

Most big boy plows actually have depth set at two locations. The front is with the lift arms and they basically set the depth and cant of the plow. The rear of the plow is set by hydraulic ram with the trailing wheel. Always easier it make very small corrections with the tail wheel than with lift arms.

The other bad part about draft control you just pointed out. Different soil conditions (even in the same field) make the implement run at max set depth or lighter. Even in small food plots one can likely find enough differences in soil to give inconsistent depths. Key setup issues such as running the wrong tires and weight of tractor can influence depth irrelevant of operators choice when using draft control.

These are my reasons for doing, or not doing something. Each person is able to do what ever they choose and I provide some insight from my perspective.



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[Rare breed]

I have a JD 5075E as well and have the exact same question. The manual is unclear. When you say all the way forward that says off on this model meaning the draft is not engaged at all. You have to pull it backward to engage the float

 

[cutman]

I have a JD 5075E as well and have the exact same question. The manual is unclear. When you say all the way forward that says off on this model meaning the draft is not engaged at all. You have to pull it backward to engage the float

This is what my manual shows:

Float position is clearly both levers pushed all the way forward.


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[TreeDaddy]

is this the same on ALL brand tractors? Specifically Kubota?

bill

 

[swat1018]

I have a JD 5075E as well and have the exact same question. The manual is unclear. When you say all the way forward that says off on this model meaning the draft is not engaged at all. You have to pull it backward to engage the float

Float and draft control are two totally different things.

 

[Mennoniteman]

I was browsing old posts and stumbled upon this question on 3 point draft control that didn't seem to have a clear answer for someone trying to figure out draft control. Only found on bigger ag tractors, the draft control lever has an important purpose in three point implements, it controls the height/ depth that the implement is working at. For proper use while doing field work, the three point lift lever should always be all the way down and the working depth of the implement set with the draft control lever. Take a plow for an example, when ready to start plowing you put the three point control lever all the way down, then adjust the draft control lever to the plowing depth desired. What you get to the end of the field you pull the lift lever all the way up, but don't move the draft control lever, that way your plowing depth setting is retained when you start the next furrow, again putting the lift arm lever all the way down. As you continue to plow the field you make minor adjustments to the draft control lever as needed for plowing depth. The other function that draft control has that ties right into this is a sensitivity control that automatically raises the plow if it starts to run to deep. Most tractors sense the pull through the top link by a little hydraulic control cylinder behind the top link mounting bracket, but some tractors do this sensing through the lower three point arms. A lot of Ag tractors will have a third lever called a sensitivity control lever to adjust how sensitive or how often the three point hitch makes these minor adjustments on it's own. A properly adjusted three point draft control hitch pulling a plow is constantly making minor depth adjustments on it's own with no operator input, maintaining a more uniform depth and making the plow easier to pull, saving fuel and operator fatigue. While designed for plowing and chiseling, this feature can also be used with three point discs, mowers, no-till drills, box blades, etc. When not using draft control the lever should be down all the way. With the way three point hookups are made most of them will automatically float on their own when the implement is lowered to the ground, some also have a special position at the bottom of the lift lever range specifically for floating implements.