What is this knob used for?

[Dreamcatcher 102]

I was looking over my new to me 310-8 and noticed the knob to the left in the picture.  The other end of it does not seem to be attached to anything.  What is the purpose of this knob as it hasn't seemed to affect mowing with the tractor.

[953 nut 55,198]

It is used to set the height of cut for the snow blade etc.

[Dreamcatcher 102]

The threaded rod of the knob is not connected to anything.  @953 nutshould it be attached to something now?

 

I have a snow blade that attaches to my 417 but  don't think there is a mechanism that would accomodate this adjuster.

[squonk 41,079]

20 minutes ago, Dreamcatcher said:

The threaded rod of the knob is not connected to anything.  @953 nutshould it be attached to something now?

 

I have a snow blade that attaches to my 417 but  don't think there is a mechanism that would accomodate this adjuster.

The rod is L shaped. The lift arm will contact it if you turn it clockwise to shorten it. Then the lift drop is controlled by the knob.

 

Lower you lift. Turn the knob. you should eventually feel it contact the arm and start to lift it. If it doesn't , Somethings broke

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by squonk

[Dreamcatcher 102]

The 'L' is not currently connect to anything. I will have to take a look at this

[squonk 41,079]

10 minutes ago, Dreamcatcher said:

The 'L' is not currently connect to anything. I will have to take a look at this

 

The "L" #34 is not connected to anything but the knob. The lift arm with the black grip and button on the top will hit it when you lower it providing the knob is tightened up enough to raise the "L" portion to contact it on older tractors. In this picture it is supposed to be in the curved slot in the lift arm. Look at # 46. The curved slot is there

Edited July 27, 2023 by squonk

[Dreamcatcher 102]

I could be missing #37 and it's related fasteners because I can lift #34 in and out of the center console using the knob.

[squonk 41,079]

Is the "L"  portion still there? How about a pic? 

[953 nut 55,198]

Your 417 is probably a hydro and they only use the height adjuster on manual lift tractors.On a manual lift the short hook on threaded rod (34) should go through the slot in Part #1

[squonk 41,079]

2 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Your 417 is probably a hydro and they only use the height adjuster on manual lift tractors.On a manual lift the short hook on threaded rod (34) should go through the slot in Part #1

 

His pic shows an 8 speed. 

 

I stared at that diagram for 10 minutes looking for the number of that lift rod! 

[Dreamcatcher 102]

Mystery solved, my brain has not been working all week!  Everything works as it should.  The reason for all the play in the L shaped rod is that the mower deck was in teh up position.  When I lowered the deck it took up all the slack and loaded the L rod/knob. Slapping my forehead here...such a bonehead.  Thanks fellas!

[953 nut 55,198]

8 minutes ago, squonk said:

His pic shows an 8 speed

That is his 310,                  not the 417.

[dcrage 628]

Yes. Part #34 will freely move up and down when it is loosened (knob backed all the way to the top of the threaded shaft). 
 

My reply was late to the game!!

Edited July 27, 2023 by dcrage

[953 nut 55,198]

1 minute ago, Dreamcatcher said:

Mystery solved, my brain has not been working all week!  Everything works as it should.  The reason for all the play in the L shaped rod is that the mower deck was in teh up position.  When I lowered the deck it took up all the slack and loaded the L rod/knob. Slapping my forehead here...such a bonehead.  Thanks fellas!

None of us were born knowing anything, we all learn from one another.

[Dreamcatcher 102]

Not sure if it is appropriate to change subjects on the thread but.....

My snowblade came with my 417A and I'd also like to use it on my 310-8.  Will the same brackets from my 417A fit my 310-8?  I happen to have an extra set of brackets.

[Handy Don 12,216]

43 minutes ago, Dreamcatcher said:

Not sure if it is appropriate to change subjects on the thread but.....

My snowblade came with my 417A and I'd also like to use it on my 310-8.  Will the same brackets from my 417A fit my 310-8?  I happen to have an extra set of brackets.

Short answer is yes, it should fit nicely.

One thing to consider is the lift. On the hydro lift tractors, it’s common to use a chain connecting the rock shaft to the plow frame (yours likely already has this). Many folks prefer a solid link when using a manual lift so that they can apply down-pressure on the plow for extra “dig”. The shape and length of the link depends on the exact model of plow.

[Dreamcatcher 102]

1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

Short answer is yes, it should fit nicely.

One thing to consider is the lift. On the hydro lift tractors, it’s common to use a chain connecting the rock shaft to the plow frame (yours likely already has this). Many folks prefer a solid link when using a manual lift so that they can apply down-pressure on the plow for extra “dig”. The shape and length of the link depends on the exact model of plow.

On they hydro, I don't have a chain.  There is a bar wotj a pin on each end. One end connects to the plow frame and the other to the lift on the hydro tractor. What is the rock shaft?  I've heard of it but not sure what it is.

[mrc 812]

in wheelhorse lingo that knob is your 'dial-a-height' adjustment.  it lets you set the attachment height anywhere you desire.

[Handy Don 12,216]

4 hours ago, Dreamcatcher said:

On they hydro, I don't have a chain.  There is a bar wotj a pin on each end. One end connects to the plow frame and the other to the lift on the hydro tractor. What is the rock shaft?  I've heard of it but not sure what it is.

Having the bar with pins is unusual on hydros because it can be tricky to get the right amount of down pressure on the blade (too little, snow left; too much, excessive blade and driveway wear).

 

The rock shaft (#46) goes through the middle of the tractor actuated either by the long manual lift arm (as shown here) or by the hydraulic cylinder. A sleeve attached to it (#19) has two small arms to which the implements attach (the end of your lift bar, for example).

 

[Dreamcatcher 102]

@Handy DonI am starting to understand.  Here are my follow up questions. I'm looking at pictures of the kits, noticing they are different for hydro vs manual lift.

1. Is the sleeve in the second part of your description part of the rock shaft kit?

2. Does the rock shaft kit need to be removed when mowing?

3. What makes a better plow machine; hydro or manual trans?

4. What makes a better snowblower; nydro or manual trans?

 

I don't want to ask my wife for two rock shaft kits.  You all know where I'm coming from

 

[Handy Don 12,216]

14 hours ago, Dreamcatcher said:

@Handy DonI am starting to understand.  Here are my follow up questions. I'm looking at pictures of the kits, noticing they are different for hydro vs manual lift.

1. Is the sleeve in the second part of your description part of the rock shaft kit?

Aha! Apologies for not being clearer up front.

There can be two separate rock shafts--the one in the image I posted (either manual or hydraulic) is built into the tractor at manufacture.

The second, additional, rock shaft is optional (sold as kits like the image below or, as I did, self-fabricated). These are relevant only if you are using rear-mounted implements like a dirt plow, harrow, or tiller that needs lifting.

 The rear rock shaft is not needed for mowing or snowplowing. If installed, it connects to the center rock shaft with a cable for lifting. (Rear hitch lift cable noted in the picture I posted)

 

2. Does the rock shaft kit need to be removed when mowing?

If you have (or install) a rear rock shaft, it can stay in place continuously even when not being used. It does not interfere with mowing deck or snow plow or snow blower usage at all.

 

3. What makes a better plow machine; hydro or manual trans?

Lots of debate on this (search topics here for lots of opinions). Consensus seems to be that snowplowing/snowblowing with a hydro, especially one with a pedal-operated motion control is most convenient because of the easy speed and reversing control. For tilling, I think more folks prefer geared over hydro for better speed control. For dirt plowing, I suspect geared is preferred but the hydros are fully capable of pulling a plow. Important note: models that use the Eaton 700 transmission should NOT be used for plowing snow or soil but are fine for blowing and mowing.

 

4. What makes a better snowblower; nydro or manual trans?

For me, hydro hands-down, even with a lever motion control. The hydro lift makes lifting easy. Both transmissions, though, are more than strong enough for blowing, even models with the Eaton 700 hydro (since the transmission is just moving the tractor back and forth while the PTO-driven blower does all the throwing).

 

I don't want to ask my wife for two rock shaft kits.  You all know where I'm coming from

Unless you are also adding a rear hitch (either a brinly-style sleeve/clevis hitch or a slot hitch, for lifting rear-mounted implements, you do NOT need a rock shaft kit.

 

Notes in Blue

 

I must also point out that if you scan postings about rear hitches, you’ll find that many members have built/bought bolt-on rear hitches like this that help them with towing, since the standard drawbar rear hitch doesn’t always suit. 

Edited July 28, 2023 by Handy Don

[Dreamcatcher 102]

I don't plan on running a rear mounted implement anytime soon so it sounds like the rock shaft I need to run the plow is already build into into both of my tractors.  I'll need to take a picture of how the blow attaches to the lift now.  It ssounds like i'm missing some pieces to correctly attach it to the lift.

[Handy Don 12,216]

1 hour ago, Dreamcatcher said:

I don't plan on running a rear mounted implement anytime soon so it sounds like the rock shaft I need to run the plow is already build into into both of my tractors.  I'll need to take a picture of how the blow attaches to the lift now.  It sounds like i'm missing some pieces to correctly attach it to the lift.

I’m not sure what parts you’re missing. Implements for 310-8 and 417 are interchangeable using the same parts.

Only bit in question, as I understand the thread so far, is personal choice of using a solid link or chain for lifting the snowplow.

[oliver2-44 9,743]

As said, the Dial A Height is for Snow Blades and other implements, but it is not to be used to set the height of the Mower deck.  

The rear wheels on the deck set the height and the carriage on top the deck letss it float. 

Edited July 28, 2023 by oliver2-44

[D_Mac 8,610]

wish my 310-8 had one. wonder why all models didnt come with it.