Touch Control Adjustment

[LeeC]

I have a Franken-Cub somebody did extensive work on before I got it. One of the things I noticed is the touch control does not lift my mower high enough and the rock shaft does not rotate as far as my other Cubs. Looking at the manuals, it looks like the procedure for adjusting the control valve operating lever stop on the touch control calls for a pressure gauge that I do not have. Is there a shade tree mechanic way to make the adjustment without putting the unit in danger of something undesirable such as inducing excessive pressure? Any hints or cautions would be appreciated.

[Rudi]

Lee:

I built one for my Cubs after I kept blowing gaskets. Getting a stream of high pressure - yes 1500 PSI is high pressure .. shot of hydraulic fluid can not only hurt, it can debilitate or do worse damage to your body!

A pressure guage is a 6 dollar item usually at Harbor Freight or a bit more at an Autoparts store. Add in a fitting and it might come up to 10 bucks or so.

Never mind shade tree mechanics .. do it properly by the book.

Here is an example of a suitable guage available on the net

ProSense™ Dial Pressure Gauges (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 Inch Dials)

All you need is in this thread: Touch Control Troubleshooting Pressure Gauge

[LeeC]

Thanks Rudi, good input. I had not thought it would be that inexpensive to get the proper gear.

[LeeC]

To follow up on my post. My cubs are 165 miles from me, so I cannot step out my back door and work on them. I borrowed a gauge from a neighbor and hooked it up per the procedure. Turns out the previous owner did not adjust the control rod correctly and the lever was stopped by the end of its forward travel vs. operating lever stop on the touch control unit. I shortened the control rod at the adjustable yoke per the instructions, checked to make sure the gauge did not show high pressure at the forward lever position, and called it a day. This gave me the additional lift I was looking for. I suppose that the operating lever stop could be set too far back allowing the rockshaft to move to its extreme position, but it has been that way the entire time I have owned the tractor. My guess is that the operating lever stop position has not been changed since the touch control unit came from the factory.

[sburre]

I have rebuilt the the touch control and the pump, will not lift. Is the pressure regulator in the touch control supposed to be screwed in until it is tight or is this an adjustment? Have had it apart three times and cannot find a problem, no pressure for some reason, suspect fluid is just flowing in a loop. Have installed a second pump with same results. Touch control was completely disassembled and cleaned in a professional parts cleaner. I am using sae30 motor oil. I need some help from those with experience.

[Crimson Tim]

I'll be the first to admit that I don't have a lot of experience working with the TC, but two thoughts come immediately to mind here:
1. Are you really running motor oil as your hydraulic fluid? Why? It should be Hytran or equivalent/compatible hydraulic fluid. I am pretty sure motor oil does not count as equivalent. Given that, it still seems like it should do SOMETHING for you, and not just cease operations entirely.
2. What was the status of the TC system before the rebuild? Was it functional then?

[Slim140]

I'll be the first to admit that I don't have a lot of experience working with the TC, but two thoughts come immediately to mind here:
1. Are you really running motor oil as your hydraulic fluid? Why? It should be Hytran or equivalent/compatible hydraulic fluid. I am pretty sure motor oil does not count as equivalent. Given that, it still seems like it should do SOMETHING for you, and not just cease operations entirely.
2. What was the status of the TC system before the rebuild? Was it functional then?

I know a Cub doesn't use motor oil as hydraulic fluid but I had a Case 1845C skidsteer and the hydraulic oil was 30WT. non detergent motor oil it's also what goes in the lift on some older John Deere tractors (A,B,G etc.).

[Bob McCarty]

The early manual called for 30 wt non-detergent oil in the touch control. Your unit should work with it although after you get it working you might want to switch to a hydraulic oil.

[sburre]

the system had a leak and did not work before rebuild, after rebuild it has small amount of movement trying to lift, appears to be low pressure. The pump was also rebuild, same result. Put on another used pump, same results.

[Crimson Tim]

The early manual called for 30 wt non-detergent oil in the touch control. Your unit should work with it although after you get it working you might want to switch to a hydraulic oil.

I stand corrected. I learn something new on this site every day!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Shade tree version of how to do the adjustment is to run the engine slow and listen for it to load down and unload. It will lug the engien down when at high pressure, and unload it at low pressure.

[Bob McCarty]

The early manual called for 30 wt non-detergent oil in the touch control.

Ed posted 10 wt in another thread, I looked it up and that's correct. CRS

[tmays]

The early manual called for 30 wt non-detergent oil in the touch control.

Ed posted 10 wt in another thread, I looked it up and that's correct. CRS

Yep, but I have run them with 30 wt with no issues. But keep in mind, I don't live where the snow flies.