Gordon Gould
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2007
- Messages
- 6,208
- Location
- NorthEastern, VT
- Tractor
- Kubota L3010DT, Kubota M5640SUD, Dresser TD7G Dozer
I have had my Fit Rite Hydraulics TnT system for about a year. It is a great tool and has really enhanced the
capability of any of my dirt working impliments. It took me a while to get the knack of making fine adjustments on
the fly but once I did I was able to a better job easier and faster. Which is more fun.
I had no flow restrictors in the hydraulic lines to the TnT cylinders. The hydraulic flow rate on my tractor is only
about 7 GPM. When the tractor was at idle speed the adjustment rate of the two cylinders was pretty reasonable
and I could control the blade adjustment while using a large range of valve opening, from just cracked open to full open.
However at work rpm's, I like about 2200 rpm grading on my geared tractor, the adjustment speed of the
cylinders was very fast because of the increased hydraulic flow at higher rpm. It took a very quick and soft touch on the control levers to be able to make fine adjustments. I used my ears too, listening to the valve for feedback and kind of anticipating when to release the lever. If I watched the blade and released the lever when it looked right I would be to slow and the adjustment would be to big. So I had to release the lever early. It sounds a little hard to do but like any tool you just get the feel of it after a while.
After seeing some discussion on TnT systems where Brian recommended flow restrictors I decided to try them. They are cheap enough so I had nothing to loose. I put the two restrictors on today. They are small in-line fittings. They add about 1.75 inches to the hose length. I put them between the male quick coupler and the hose end fitting on the line going to the welded end of each of the two TnT cylinders.
Just for a fun test I tried to put a crown on my packed snow driveway with a rear blade. Just as if it were dirt.
All I can say is WOW, what a difference. It is just so much nicer to have such positive control. I could actually
watch the blade move and release the lever when the blade was where I wanted it instead of trying to inticipate where the blade would end up when the valve finally closes. Because the hydraulic flow is restricted to a low level the ram speed of the cylinders is now independent of the engine rpm's. It is nice and slow all the time.
In hind sight, if I knew how controlable making adjustments with the flow restrictors would be I would have
never said that I did not feel the need for them. Which I naively believed. I think they are a serious improvement.
At least in my case.
This was my experience and I thought I would share it.
capability of any of my dirt working impliments. It took me a while to get the knack of making fine adjustments on
the fly but once I did I was able to a better job easier and faster. Which is more fun.
I had no flow restrictors in the hydraulic lines to the TnT cylinders. The hydraulic flow rate on my tractor is only
about 7 GPM. When the tractor was at idle speed the adjustment rate of the two cylinders was pretty reasonable
and I could control the blade adjustment while using a large range of valve opening, from just cracked open to full open.
However at work rpm's, I like about 2200 rpm grading on my geared tractor, the adjustment speed of the
cylinders was very fast because of the increased hydraulic flow at higher rpm. It took a very quick and soft touch on the control levers to be able to make fine adjustments. I used my ears too, listening to the valve for feedback and kind of anticipating when to release the lever. If I watched the blade and released the lever when it looked right I would be to slow and the adjustment would be to big. So I had to release the lever early. It sounds a little hard to do but like any tool you just get the feel of it after a while.
After seeing some discussion on TnT systems where Brian recommended flow restrictors I decided to try them. They are cheap enough so I had nothing to loose. I put the two restrictors on today. They are small in-line fittings. They add about 1.75 inches to the hose length. I put them between the male quick coupler and the hose end fitting on the line going to the welded end of each of the two TnT cylinders.
Just for a fun test I tried to put a crown on my packed snow driveway with a rear blade. Just as if it were dirt.
All I can say is WOW, what a difference. It is just so much nicer to have such positive control. I could actually
watch the blade move and release the lever when the blade was where I wanted it instead of trying to inticipate where the blade would end up when the valve finally closes. Because the hydraulic flow is restricted to a low level the ram speed of the cylinders is now independent of the engine rpm's. It is nice and slow all the time.
In hind sight, if I knew how controlable making adjustments with the flow restrictors would be I would have
never said that I did not feel the need for them. Which I naively believed. I think they are a serious improvement.
At least in my case.
This was my experience and I thought I would share it.