leaving machine raised on hitch

[suffeks]

is it bad if you leave a heavy 2-3t machine raised in the air for extended periods on the back of a tractor when parked? i heard people say its bad for the pump, old tractors i had it would just fall the ground after a few days haha but these new ones must have check valves etc? so no big deal? thoughts...

 

[Lincs Lass]

Wont do the back tyres any good sat in a squatted position for long periods ,,any reason to leave it lifted ,,gravity might get the better of it if a pipe blows and it drops onto a hard surface

 

[KB6930]

Even a new one will make it's way to the ground eventually in my experience ot might not be the first day but it'll get there

 

[Sebastian77]

We leave our hedgecutter on back tractor for about 6 months of the year.. granted put the head down to floor but yeah.. never had any issues.

Anything like a tedder, mower etc, why would you if can be lowered down?

 

[Kidds]

Absolutely hate seeing anyone do that even from just a safety point of view.

 

[GeorgeK]

Front weights are often left up on the linkage, in fact ours don't rest on the ground when lowered anyway

 

[glasshouse]

Front weights are often left up on the linkage, in fact ours don't rest on the ground when lowered anyway

Its unnecessary strain on linkage, just drop it

 

[DrWazzock]

Won’t do your starter motor much good if it is turning the hydraulic pump which is trying to raise 2 or 3 ton back to some raised position and starting the engine. I always lower to ground before shutting off.

 

[Kidds]

I always lower to ground before shutting off.

There is a sticker in all my tractors telling you to do just that, manufacturer put it there.

 

[Moors Lad]

thoughts...

Well, I "think" why not just leave it in a lowered position unless there`s a good reason not to ?

 

[Sebastian77]

Won’t do your starter motor much good if it is turning the hydraulic pump which is trying to raise 2 or 3 ton back to some raised position and starting the engine. I always lower to ground before shutting off.

If modern tractors hold the position when turned off, must be a valve holding the oil pressure in the rams? So surely no pressure required from pump to maintain that level or they'd drop to floor?

Funnily enough I've yet to use a JD tractor that isn't a total PITA to get arms to lower in first place haha, always have to get up and jump on them (off topic)

 

[nick...]

Why leave machines raised,no point really and can be unsafe.as for hedge cutter mentioned above they usually have the weight supported on bars or chains back to top link mount area.
nick...

 

[Sebastian77]

Why leave machines raised,no point really and can be unsafe.as for hedge cutter mentioned above they usually have the weight supported on bars or chains back to top link mount area.
nick...

Yes that's right ours has a (custom made for tractor geometry?) A frame that replaces top link, which makes it pretty much impossible to lower arms more than few inch, but still good half ton on them I'd bet, was more a comment to previous reply about not doing tyres any good.

 

[Flat 10]

Why leave machines raised,no point really and can be unsafe.as for hedge cutter mentioned above they usually have the weight supported on bars or chains back to top link mount area.
nick...

Agree. And I put a tap on my front links to hold them up when the weights are on.

 

[nick...]

Agree. And I put a tap on my front links to hold them up when the weights are on.

I do this too.
nick...

 

[Norfolk Olly]

I always lower things mainly as it flat spots the tyres and for the next day the first few miles rattle you out the seat. Anything thats got tungsten on gets dropped on soft ground or if on concrete chuck some wood underneath, always drop the front weights too as was told that leaving heavy weights raised will flat spot the hub seals for the variogrip