Drop Rate Lever (Response Lever)
This is the control that adjusts only the lowering speed of the three point hitch. It slows the descent by restricting the return flow of oil from the cylinder to the tank; it does not affect the lifting speed, because lifting is determined by pump flow. In the fully closed position the hitch barely descends even with a heavy implement.
The drop rate lever is effective in both position and draft control and generally manages a friction-type restrictor valve. Slow lowering lets the implement settle softly without hitting the soil; fast lowering saves time at the headland.
- On sensitive implements (seed drill, sprayer) a medium-slow setting is preferred.
- A lever left fully closed is the most frequent and most innocent cause of the "the hitch won't come down" complaint.
- Closing the lever during road transport slows any self-lowering of the implement but does not take the place of a mechanical safety device.
When you fit an electronic retrofit kit this lever stays in circuit. The LFT20 and LFT54 trigger the quick-lift mechanism by pulling the cable; the return speed of the oil is still set by the drop rate lever. So in a "I fitted the kit but the arms come down very slowly" situation, the first place to look is not the electronics but this lever.
The context in which this term is used: Converting a tractor hydraulic lever to electronic control