shaley
Platinum Member
Hey Gang,
I wanted to build an electrical control switch for a 3rd function hydraulic valve for use with my FEL grapple. I needed to mount it on my loader joystick but did not want a rocker switch type. I also wanted the ability to stack two or three at a time. This is what I came up with.
The unit is made out of 1x1 steel tubing with a pie slice cut out of it and folded together and then welded.
Next, I added a ½” split shaft collar in order to mount it to the loader stick. The ends are standard plastic capplugs for sq tubing with ribs. They are amazingly snug and secure.
The push button switches are IP67 rated for dust proof and waterproof. I placed heat shrink tubing over the solder lugs after soldering the wires so even if the end caps leak a little moisture the inside is waterproof anyway.
The metal housing is bead blasted, zinc plated inside and out, and then chromated for corrosion resistance in a tractor type environment.
Belden PVC cable runs from the switch box to a relay pack for power switching and interlocking. The connections are soldered and covered in heat shrink with outside covering being marine grade adhesive lined.
The relays provide the switching logic in order to allow only one valve spool to be active at one time regardless of whether both buttons are pushed.
Here is the unit installed on the tractor.
So tell me what you think. What kind of improvements you would suggest or other uses. Do you think it will hold up on a tractor?
I wanted to build an electrical control switch for a 3rd function hydraulic valve for use with my FEL grapple. I needed to mount it on my loader joystick but did not want a rocker switch type. I also wanted the ability to stack two or three at a time. This is what I came up with.
The unit is made out of 1x1 steel tubing with a pie slice cut out of it and folded together and then welded.
Next, I added a ½” split shaft collar in order to mount it to the loader stick. The ends are standard plastic capplugs for sq tubing with ribs. They are amazingly snug and secure.
The push button switches are IP67 rated for dust proof and waterproof. I placed heat shrink tubing over the solder lugs after soldering the wires so even if the end caps leak a little moisture the inside is waterproof anyway.
The metal housing is bead blasted, zinc plated inside and out, and then chromated for corrosion resistance in a tractor type environment.
Belden PVC cable runs from the switch box to a relay pack for power switching and interlocking. The connections are soldered and covered in heat shrink with outside covering being marine grade adhesive lined.
The relays provide the switching logic in order to allow only one valve spool to be active at one time regardless of whether both buttons are pushed.
Here is the unit installed on the tractor.
So tell me what you think. What kind of improvements you would suggest or other uses. Do you think it will hold up on a tractor?
