Soverign: Hydraulic Lift Direction

[john]

My new Sovereign hydraulic works backwards to what I think it should. It also works opposite the arrows on the dashboard. To raise the mower deck I must pull the lift lever back toward me. To lower it, I must push the lever away from me. I would think to lower the deck the lever should be pulled back (down) toward the operator. To raise the deck, the lever should be pushed forward (up). I suspect the hydraulic lines were reversed when they were connected to the hydraulic valve at the factory. Can someone tell me the correct directions the control lever is supposed to move to raise & lower the mower deck. Is there any reason not to reverse the lines at the control valve to make the lift work in the directions I want it to? Also, my new tractor ate a mower drive belt today. I don't know if it was install wrong or I fried it mowing with the deck up due to the above. Thanks, Roy

[Guest]

Hi Roy, Congrats on your new Sovereign, I got mine in August. My wife says it has to last 25 years or else. Hmmm. "To raise the mower deck I must pull the lift lever back toward me. To lower it, I must push the lever away from me. I would think to lower the deck the lever should be pulled back " Is this your first tractor? Every fullsize farm tractor is like this. Do you pull up your pants or push up your pants. :) It feels more natural with a dozer blade or rototiller. For some reason the old Simplicity's had this backwards, go figure. I'm $ure your dealer could rever$e the connection$ to the control. $$$ "Also, my new tractor ate a mower drive belt today." You fried it. This can happen when the mower isn't all the way down on the ground. Make sure the rollers are touching ground. Look at the "Green & Red Height" indicator by the PTO clutch and make sure you are in the green when you mow. Cheers, Joe Barron

[Kent]

Joe, Thanks for the reply. They old Simplicitys may have had it backwards but I have twenty some years of operating an Allis Chalmer B-1 that way. It's going to be a hard habit to break! I think you are right. I probably fried the belt due to my confusion on which way the lift lever works. Roy

[Al]

Roy, The old Simplicity tractors lever went forward to raise the mower and when you were using the tractor for other things the lever was out of the way to get on and off. If it works fix it. Then either a govt or some group standard decided that the standard should be back to raise. The 3400s etc up all pull back to raise, and almost wound you when you get on and off with the deck up. Always a sore spot with me. The hydraulics are set up the same way. I don't know I guess it is supposed to be progress. At least the lever is out of the way unlike manual lift levers. Good luck with wour new tractor. Maybe it'll be like getting married, you need to learn to live together. My 2 cent s worth and its free. That should tell you something. See ya, Al

[dlcentral]

Al, Is it possible to simply switch the hydraulic lines at the control valve to reverse the operational direction of the lift lever?? Or: Can the lines be reversed where they come of the main hydraulic system?? I'm with you. I like the old B-1 lift lever directions. Thanks, Roy

[Al]

Roy, I would need to look, but it might be easiest to swap the lines at the cylinder, if not just see how hard it would be to swap them at the valve body. Either end would do it. Might nned to get one made longer. Good luck, Al P.S. let us know if you do it.