Challenger 35, Challenger 45 and Challenger 55 Agricultural Tractors Caterpillar

Illustration 1	g00488155

The machine utilizes an electro-hydraulic system in order to operate the three-point hitch linkage. Electronic switches and a microcomputer are used in order to control the hydraulic system. The three-point hitch is standard equipment on the machine. Machines that are not equipped with a three-point hitch can be equipped with a wide swinging drawbar. Machines that are equipped with three-point hitches have the standard drawbar.

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Movement of hitch linkage and implements can cause personal injury. Before operating the three-point hitch, ensure that no person or object is in the area of the implement or hitch.

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Accidental lowering of the three-point hitch linkage while roading can damage the road surface and implement and cause an accident resulting in personal injury. When transporting three-point hitch mounted equipment, raise the implement by placing the three-point hitch control lever in the fully rearward position. Set the adjustable stop against the front edge of the lever to help prevent accidental forward lever movement. Set the three-point hitch raise/lower switch to the raise position as an additional transport position safeguard.

The three-point hitch is operated from the side console. The following items are used in order to control the three-point hitch: three-point hitch control lever, three-point hitch lower rate control, height limit control, three-point hitch raise/lower switch, external position control switch and draft/position control knob.

Three-Point Hitch Control Lever

Illustration 2	g00512477

Height of the implement and depth of the implement is controlled by the three-point hitch control lever (1). The three-point hitch control lever activates the external position control switches when you push the lever fully forward. Pull the lever in the rearward direction in order to raise the hitch. Push the lever in the forward direction in order to lower the hitch.

Note: The engine must be running in order to lower the three-point hitch.

An adjustable depth stop is located on the right side of the control lever. The depth stop sets the lower travel of the lever. In order to adjust, loosen knob (2) and slide the stop in order to contact the lever at the desired position. Tighten the knob once the depth stop is in the correct position. If necessary, the three-point hitch control lever can be pulled sideways in order to bypass the depth stop.

Three-Point Hitch Lower Rate Control

Illustration 3	g00512484

The lower rate control is used in order to vary the speed of lowering the three-point hitch. Rotate knob (3) in the clockwise direction in order to increase the rate of lowering. Rotate knob (3) in the counterclockwise direction in order to decrease the rate of lowering.

When you adjust the rate of lowering, start by rotating the knob fully in the counterclockwise direction. Rotate the knob in the clockwise direction until the desired rate of lowering is attained.

Height Limit Control

Illustration 4	g00512485

Height limit control (4) will limit the maximum height for the three-point hitch. Use height limit control (4) in order to prevent large implements from striking the rear of the cab. Rotate the knob in the clockwise direction in order to increase the lift height. Rotate the knob in the counterclockwise direction in order to decrease the lift height.

Note: The height of an implement can affect productivity when you turn the machine. Only use the minimum that is needed to allow a turn. The time that is required to raise the implement and the time that is required to lower the implement is minimized.

Rotate knob (4) fully in the counterclockwise direction in order to set height. The hitch will raise approximately to 1/2 of the full upper position. Pull the three-point hitch control lever fully in the rearward direction. Slowly turn the height limit control in the clockwise direction in order to raise the implement. There should be 100 mm (4 inch) of clearance between the machine and implement.

Three-Point Hitch Raise/Lower Switch

Illustration 5	g00349484

Three-point hitch raise/lower switch (5) allows the operator to rapidly raise the implement to the position that is set by the height limit control. Switch (5) allows the operator to lower the implement to the position that is set by the three-point hitch control lever. Switch (5) is located next to the programmable upshift/downshift switch. The switches can be used together at the end of the field when you are turning. Pressing the front of the switch lowers the implement and pressing the rear of the switch raises the implement.

Note: The three-point hitch raise/lower switch should be placed in the RAISE position when you are transporting equipment.

Float (if equipped)

Illustration 6	g00634347
Three-point hitch raise/lower switch that is equipped with a FLOAT position

The three-point hitch may be lowered below the depth that is set by the three-point hitch control lever. Press and hold the front of switch (6) in order to allow the three-point hitch to float. This will not disturb the depth that was selected by the three-point hitch control lever. When switch (6) is released, the three-point hitch will return to the depth that was set by the three-point hitch control lever.

Use the FLOAT position for quicker penetration of the ground when you are using semi-mounted implements.

External Position Control Switch

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Clearance in the three-point hitch linkage area increases and decreases with the movement of the linkage. To prevent injury, do not stand on or near the implement or between the implement and machine when operating the external position control switches. When moving to the opposite side of the machine, move around the machine or implement to avoid entering the hitch area. Never allow an assistant to use the control switch on the opposite fender when attaching equipment.

Illustration 7	g00634093

External position control switch (7) is provided in order to assist the operator in attaching an implement. The switches (7) are located on the rear of the fenders. When the switches are released, the switches return to the OFF position.

In order to activate the external position control switches, the following conditions must exist.

• The parking brake is applied.

• The transmission control lever is in the NEUTRAL position.

• The PTO is disengaged.

• The engine is at low idle.

Note: The three-point hitch status display and the hitch disabled symbol are displayed when you activate the external position control switch.

In order to use the switch, stand at the side of the machine while you press and while you hold the top part of the switch in order to raise the hitch. Press and hold the bottom area of the switch in order to lower the hitch.

Note: Operation of the switches will cause the hitch to move at a slower rate.

In order to transfer the control of the three-point hitch back to the three-point hitch control lever, use the following procedure.

1. Toggle the three-point hitch raise/lower switch to the LOWER position. If the switch is already in the LOWER position, toggle the switch to the RAISE position and back to the LOWER position.

2. Move the three-point hitch control lever slowly in the rearward direction in order to capture the hitch. If necessary, move the three-point hitch control lever slowly in the forward direction in order to capture the hitch. The hitch enabled symbol is displayed on the Machine Performance Monitor. The three-point hitch status display turns off. The three-point hitch linkage is now phased with the three-point hitch control lever.

Draft/Position Control Knob

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To avoid injury from unintentional hitch movement, always set the draft/position sensitivity to position 1, position control detent (fully counterclockwise) when not using draft control, such as when working near the hitch and attached implements, or when transporting or roading equipment.

Note: The operator may notice that the implement drops slightly when the draft/position control knob is turned to the position control detent.

Illustration 8	g00634096

Draft/position control knob (8) adjusts the sensitivity of the optional electronic draft control. Rotate the knob fully in the counterclockwise direction in order to operate the hitch in the position control detent. Rotate the knob fully in the clockwise direction in order to operate the hitch in the most sensitive setting. The hydraulic system will respond to changes in draft load with large movements of the implement. Turning the knob in the counterclockwise direction will progressively decrease the amount of linkage movement that is relative to changes in the draft load. The rate of linkage movement will also decrease.

Observe the implement while you pull the implement through the ground. If the reaction from the hydraulic system is too great, reduce the sensitivity. In order to reduce the sensitivity, turn the draft/position control knob in the counterclockwise direction by a few degrees. Continue this process until the amount of implement movement is acceptable.

Note: The draft/position control knob (8) causes the implement to raise with increasing draft load. If necessary, readjust the three-point control lever after you change the setting of the draft/position control knob.

Slip Limit Override Control

Illustration 9	g00634369

Note: If the machine is equipped with a slip limit override control, the machine must also be equipped with a ground speed sensor.

Slip limit override control (9) allows the operator to vary the depth of an implement if the track slippage exceeds a certain percent. The depth of the implement can be varied manually or the depth of the implement can be varied automatically. Slip limit override control (9) and lamp (10) are located on the right hand console. This feature allows the operator to select a limit for track slippage. If this percentage is exceeded, the electronic draft control is overridden. When the selected track slippage has been exceeded, the three-point hitch will raise until the track slippage falls below the preset value. Once the track slippage is reduced, the three-point hitch will return to the depth that was originally selected by the three-point hitch control lever.

Lamp (10) is illuminated whenever the percentage of track slippage exceeds the selected limit. The slip limit override control can be turned off by rotating control (9) fully in the clockwise direction to the detented OFF position. The limit for track slippage can be set in the range of 8 to 20 percent. Rotate control (9) in the counterclockwise direction in order to select the limit of track slippage. The dashes on the decal represent increments of three percent. A digital display of the track slippage may be viewed on the Machine Performance Monitor. See Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Electronic Monitoring Center" for more information.

If the machine is equipped with electronic draft control, the slip limit override control will work when the draft/position control knob is in the position control detent.

Note: The slip limit override control will not operate below a ground speed of 0.8 km/h (0.5 mph).

Note: The slip limit override control will deactivate when the three-point hitch is raised with the three-point hitch raise/lower switch or the three-point hitch control lever. The slip limit override control will activate once the three-point hitch is lowered and a significant draft load is produced.