Instructions to add extra spools to L2800 for grapple.

ctgoldwing · Nov 12, 2010

Thomas said:
Also being L2800 owner I thank you for sharing...now you got me to thinking.

Being a L3400 owner, ditto & thanks for nice write up

TDVT · Jan 4, 2011

Hey Teg, this is great! Thanks for taking the time to post it all.

I am most interested (at the moment) to add a bucket grapple thumb (which I see you have) but if I'm mucking with the hydraulics it makes sense to me to add additional capability for 3PH attachments at the same time.

I like where you mounted the additional spool (I have an L3400) & most of it all makes sense though I don't have hydraulic experience beyond the automotive kind.

Questions though.....

You used a 3 spool control; one for the grapple, two for rear-remotes?

What are the needle valves for?

I was wondering what you have hooked up, in one of the pics it looks as though there is only one circuit unused?

Thanks again, Ted

teg · Jan 4, 2011

TDVT said:
...but if I'm mucking with the hydraulics it makes sense to me to add additional capability for 3PH attachments at the same time.

Ted ...it made sense to me, too. :thumbsup: It was not much more $$$ for the 3 - If I were to do it again, a fourth valve is $40... and only sticks out an 1" more. I would plug it until I needed it.

TDVT said:
I like where you mounted the additional spool (I have an L3400) & most of it all makes sense though I don't have hydraulic experience beyond the automotive kind.

I had NO hydraulic experience... Take time to read many of the threads on TBN. ...and above all asked before you buy!!!

TDVT said:
You used a 3 spool control; one for the grapple, two for rear-remotes?

...I'm in the process of buying the Top and Till hydraulics for the 3ph... but the part I like, I can route the lines to either the front or back very easily (if I were to do it again, I would use 96" instead of 84" but as it is now, I'll add extra hose on the TnT)

TDVT said:
What are the needle valves for?

...to be able to slow down the hydraulic flow. The same can be done by feathering the valve... but this is idiot proof... so I got it for the wife

.

TDVT said:
I was wondering what you have hooked up, in one of the pics it looks as though there is only one circuit unused?

...Actually until I place my order, two valves do nothing :confused2: The valve that you see "un-used" will actually be the grapple. That is so when I drop the FEL, the grapple will disconnect right there. It was also planned that I can hook a log splitter up to it... (thus, nice to have 4 valves).

Oh, BTW... the bucket grapple is very nice, drive up to a pile of brush and let the tractor pick it up...

Gordon Gould · Jan 4, 2011

Thanks for this super writeup. I am looking to do a similar thing. I want to get my grapple off the rear remotes, I have two, so I can use them for TnT. I have bought my valve and decided I want the new grapple control near the FEL lever. I was trying to figure how to do that when I saw this thread. I will be using a lot of your ideas. Thanks again and great job :thumbsup:

gg

Mande1992 · Apr 7, 2011

This is just what I have been looking to add to my L3400. Thanks :thumbsup:

teg · Apr 11, 2011

Mande1992 said:
This is just what I have been looking to add to my L3400. Thanks :thumbsup:

Glad to post it... need to update but don't have much time. Have the top part of TnT and working to weld up the 2nd "T" tilt...

I would skip the Needle Valve if you want to save money since I can control the valves pretty easy by feathering them. (still it's a good "safety" device for my wife - slows it down for her).

jokergerm · Jul 26, 2011

With the increase in pressure how much more lift does it give you

teg · Jul 26, 2011

Some where on TBN I think it was calculated to be about 1 lbs per 1 PSI... so for me 150 psi = 150 lbs. (I hope I have that right)

teg · Aug 7, 2011

Someone asked about how the return line is hooked up and it is a bit Hidden so I'm adding a little write up: The links in the writeup are to the photos above, but I'm adding some extra ones just in case.

For the return line, Follow the Gray Tape from your hydraulic block (hopefully it the same - check your manual so you follow the correct one). The return line goes to the bottom of the FEL of my L2800.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...xtra-spools-l2800-tractor-hydraulic-plate.jpg

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...d-extra-spools-l2800-before-fel-hyraulics.jpg

Whatever the style connector that kubota uses for the FEL (I think JIC), I got a "T" with the same connectors, I unhooked the return line from the bottom of the FEL valve, put in a male to male "T" with the 3rd leg of the "T" being a Female swivel. You can't really see the third leg of it which is pointing downward:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...add-extra-spools-l2800-xx-fel-connections.jpg

There is a hydraulic hose that loops under from the other side that is the return line from the new spool. That hose was 3/8" NPT coming out of the new spool with a 3/8" JIC female end on the other that connect into the bottom of the "T".

Feel free to ask questions...

teg · Aug 7, 2011

If I were to do it again, I would skip the needle valve like I said before. I would look into using 1/4" lines instead of 3/8". I would not change the location and I'm sort of glad I didn't have a 4th spool... it would have been very crowded with a couple more hoses around there.

I have disconnect the loader a couple of times and there were no problems connecting backup. I have the cylinder for the sidelink, I need to weld on it but it's low priority right now. The hydraulic toplink is done and I love it for grading.