Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)

   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320) #1  

lost in wisconsin

Silver Member
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
158
Location
Wisconsin
Tractor
John Deere 2520 (2011)
In response to Deere 2520's post last week regarding installation of a rocker switch for an electric actuator, I thought I would finally post how I handled this task. I completed this task in January of this year. This is by no means an original idea of my own but instead my plan after reviewing other's posts, ideas and suggestions.

First, is a list of my BOM...

Bill of Material

Linear Actuator (15 lbs, 12v, 4 inch Stroke)
Source - Firgelli Automations (Linear Actuators, Linear Motors, Micro motors, Electric Motors)
PN - FA-MS-15-12-4
Cost - $75.00

Momentary Contact Rocker Switch
Source - Firgelli Automations (Linear Actuators, Linear Motors, Micro motors, Electric Motors)
PN - MAN-RS2
Cost - $18.00

16 Gage Wire (2 colors for a someone like me to keep straight)
16 Gage Heat Shrink Butt Connectors and Quick Disconnectors
In Line 12v Fuse Holder
2 Wire Flat 12v Connector

Hardware
2 Stainless Steel Hex Head Bolts 1/4 x 1 1/2
4 Stainelss Steel Nylock 1/4 Nuts
Flex Tubing and Kwik Clips
 

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   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Assembly of Actuator

a) Prior to ordering the actuator I measured my upper and lower limits of my deflector which was right at 4 inches. Once the actuator arrived, I started by drilling out the holes of the actuator with a 1/4 bit to fit my fasteners.

b) There was a pre drilled hole already located on each side of the deflector. (pic 818) I assume these holes are for the mechanical Remote Spout Control from JD. I chose the right hand side of the spout for my actuator since my switch would be located on the right hand side of the dash and by using the right hand side, I was also able to the secure my wiring to the hydraulic lines with cable ties.

c) I removed the hand tightener for the deflector and fastened the actuator to the pre-drilled hole with a 1/4 x 1 1/2 bolt and 1/4 nut. I did not use a locking nut at this time as this was for reference only. I then placed the actuator in its upper limit and marked the place on the spout where the lower bolt holding the actuator would be located. (pics 811, 819, 813)
 

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   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)
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#3  
d) I also placed the actuator at its lower limit to confirm the location of my mark. (pic 820) It was at this point I noticed I was going to have a clearance issue with the deflector hitting the housing of the actuator when in its lowest position (I will address this issue later). (pic 821)

e) After I drilled the 1/4 hole where the mark on the chute was located, I secured the lower portion of the actuator with a 1/4 x 1 1/2 SS hex head bolt, two 1/4 SS Nylock nuts and a lock washer (the lock washer was used as a spacer and not to lock a nut in place). I placed an 1 1/2 bolt through the bottom hole of the actuator, added the lock washer, and threaded a Nylock nut on to the point where the lock washer added a little tension between the nut and actuator. I then slid the remaining part of the fastener through the hole I drilled on the chute and then added a final Nylock nut. (pic 814)
 

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   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)
  • Thread Starter
#4  
For the top fastener, I secured it to the actuator and deflector in the same manner as the lower fastener. Again, the reason I went with 1 1/2 bolts and used 2 Nylock nuts was to give me clearance between the deflector and top of the actuator housing when they were placed in the lower positions. From the pic below (deflector in raised position) you can see the clearance I gained with using 2 Nylock nuts. (pics 823 & 897)

Also note that I did add a Nylock nut on to the fastener I removed back in 'c' (pic 896). This kept the deflector from extending further as it wanted to with the hand tightener removed. It also provided the 祖hannel when the deflector rides up and down. Again, I did not over tighten the Nylock nut to allow for free travel.

And finally, a pic of the actuator setup before electrical. (pic 825)
 

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   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Rocker Switch Placement

a) I removed the steering column, rubber boot, throttle control (pic 826) and 4 fasteners and then started with the most trying portion for my steady hands (not), cutting a hole in the dash for the rocker switch. I heated an Exacto knife to cut through the dash and followed up with filing it down for the final cutout. I chose my location on the right hand side since my left hand always seems to be on the steering wheel and my right on the joystick control.



b) Once I had the switch in place, I also prewired the jump connections on the back of the switch as directed in the schematic below.
 

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   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)
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#6  
Wiring

a) I laid out 4 lengths of wire from the switch to the front of the tractor. 2 that would run from the battery to the switch and 2 that would run from the switch to the actuator. Ensuring I had ample length of wire, I placed them inside the plastic flex tubing and fished it up behind the dash on the right hand side. I then crimped the quick disconnectors onto the wires. I left enough slack in the wire to allow for some play when it came to placing the dash back on. (wow, was it sure dirty behind my dash.) (pics 835 & 836)

b) For the wiring from the actuator, I placed a butt connector on each wire from the actuator. As previously mentioned, I used 16 gage wire. Since the wire from the actuator was 18 or 20 gage, I stripped twice the length I normally would and at the halfway point of the exposed wire, bent the exposed wire 180 degrees before sliding the wire into the butt connector and crimping. (pics 829 & 830)
 

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   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)
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#7  
c) I decided to make my entry under the hood near the battery at the front of the tractor. You can see in the pic below, JD fabricated a notch for the negative battery cable on the platform holding the battery. I pulled back the weather-molding and removed the rubber grommet. This seemed the most convenient place for the wires from the battery, the actuator and the switch to meet. (pic 832)


d) With the wiring from the switch and the actuator complete, I joined them underneath the battery platform and also connected with the wiring to/from the battery. As noted in the wiring schematic, I used a flat 2point connector. This connector will allow me to disconnect the wiring when the snowblower is removed. I decided to locate the flat 2 point connector onto a steel brace near the battery. With all the wiring now inside the flex tubing, I ran it next to the negative battery cable and replaced the weather-molding. (pics 862 & 864)
 

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   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)
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#8  
e) I also completed my wiring from the battery and added a weatherproof In-Line 12v fuse holder. I placed these wires inside the flex tubing and attached to my battery using Kwik Clips. (pics 838 & 839)


f) After completing all the wiring, placing it inside the flex tubing and then securing it with Kwik Clips and cable ties
 

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   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)
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#9  
g) I then secured the flex tubing running from the front of the tractor to the dash along the right hand frame of the tractor. (pics 860 & 842)


h) I finished placing the wiring to the actuator inside the flex tubing and again secured it with cable ties (to the hydraulic lines) and Kwik Clips on the snowblower spout. Note: the reason for the screwdriver in the 3rd pic is to show that I left enough slack in the wiring in the event snow would build up there and place stress on the wiring and connectors. (pics 847 & 845)
 

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   / Electric Actuator for Spout Control (JD 2320)
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#10  
i) I finished by placing the quick connectors on the switch (behind the dash). I understand the picture below may be hard to comprehend but imagine standing on the platform to the right of the open station (looking down) and the dash is still loose and upside down (resting on the seat). Note the steering arm at the top middle of the picture and the throttle control near my wiring. (pic 837)

j) I then secured the dash back to the tractor and placed the steering wheel and throttle control.
 

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