How to control a blower...

[aczlan]

I have a front mount blower that I bought last winter. Will be mounting it on our L3830, but I am debating how to control it.
The L3830 has one hydrualic remote (with float).
The blower will have a cylinder to lift it, and it currently has a hydrualic motor to rotate it.
I would like to be able to control lift, rotation and chute angle (I have a linear actuator to control chute angle).
I see a couple of options to control lift/rotation:
Option 1: Use a joystick valve to end up with a handle sort of like on the B2920, but starting on the floorboard or next to the seat:
This:

But mounted where this hole is (or next to the seat):

Price: Between $250 and $450 (guessing).
Pros:
Neat, easy to use, intuitive, could be used for other things in the summer.
Cons:
Expensive.

Option 2:
Use an electric splitter on the existing remote so you flip a switch to choose if you want to rotate the chute or lift the blower.
Price: $150-200
Pros: Neat, cheap, could be used for other things in the summer,
Cons:
No float for the lift when rotating, could be hard to keep track of which mode its in.

Option 3:
Add a 2nd OEM remote.
Price: $400-600
Pros:
Neat, easy to use, intuitive (not quite as easy as the joystick), could be used for other things in the summer.
Cons:
Expensive

Option 4:
Replace the motor with a winch (I have a small HF winch and winch controller that could work) and use a toggle switch or a joystick to control it. Lift would be controlled by the rear remote.
Would use PowerPole (or similar) connectors to connect the winch to the battery, a 7 pin connector
Price: $50-75
Pros:
Neat, easy to use, intuitive (if I do the switches right), I have almost everything in stock
Cons:
Will it be durable?

Here is what the blower chute looks like:


Anyone used any of these and have an opinion?

Thanks

Aaron Z

 

[chim]

How does the lift work? Is it a cylinder and chain affair like the typical ol' snow plows (float addressed by the chained connection)? FEL connections could be used for up/down and left/right?

 

[aczlan]

How does the lift work? Is it a cylinder and chain affair like the typical ol' snow plows (float addressed by the chained connection)? FEL connections could be used for up/down and left/right?

No FEL on the tractor (if we had a FEL, this wouldn't be a problem). Lift is a 3x16ish cylinder that goes from the tractor to the blower, so if there isn't hydraulic float, it doesn't float.

Aaron Z

 

[farm boy00]

I have a front mount blower that I bought last winter. Will be mounting it on our L3830, but I am debating how to control it.
The L3830 has one hydrualic remote (with float).
The blower will have a cylinder to lift it, and it currently has a hydrualic motor to rotate it.
I would like to be able to control lift, rotation and chute angle (I have a linear actuator to control chute angle).
I see a couple of options to control lift/rotation:
Option 1: Use a joystick valve to end up with a handle sort of like on the B2920, but starting on the floorboard or next to the seat:
This:
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/snow-removal/438284-how-control-blower-kubota_b2920-1_new_500-jpg"/>
But mounted where this hole is (or next to the seat):
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/snow-removal/438286-how-control-blower-img_20150819_190133-medium-jpg"/>
Price: Between $250 and $450 (guessing).
Pros:
Neat, easy to use, intuitive, could be used for other things in the summer.
Cons:
Expensive.

Option 2:
Use an electric splitter on the existing remote so you flip a switch to choose if you want to rotate the chute or lift the blower.
Price: $150-200
Pros: Neat, cheap, could be used for other things in the summer,
Cons:
No float for the lift when rotating, could be hard to keep track of which mode its in.

Option 3:
Add a 2nd OEM remote.
Price: $400-600
Pros:
Neat, easy to use, intuitive (not quite as easy as the joystick), could be used for other things in the summer.
Cons:
Expensive

Option 4:
Replace the motor with a winch (I have a small HF winch and winch controller that could work) and use a toggle switch or a joystick to control it. Lift would be controlled by the rear remote.
Would use PowerPole (or similar) connectors to connect the winch to the battery, a 7 pin connector
Price: $50-75
Pros:
Neat, easy to use, intuitive (if I do the switches right), I have almost everything in stock
Cons:
Will it be durable?

Here is what the blower chute looks like:
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/snow-removal/438292-how-control-blower-img_20150819_185803-medium-jpg"/>

Anyone used any of these and have an opinion?

Thanks

Aaron Z

For your option 1. With the joy stick. Your talking about tapping into the hydraulic system and then using it to add 2 more hydraulic remote??

 

[aczlan]

For your option 1. With the joy stick. Your talking about tapping into the hydraulic system and then using it to add 2 more hydraulic remote??

Yes, there is a block under the floor of the operators station and for $30ish I can get the adapter to hook onto it like they use for the loader valve.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

Pretty sure I am going to use the winch to rotate the chute. I will put the winch/actuator relays in by the battery, then mount a connector there as well so its hidden and out of the way.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

Change of plans, now going with option 1 (loader valve by the floorboard, QDs for two remotes stacked in the back).
Estimated cost is $330 in parts.
Ordered a Cross joystick valve from ebay for $118 shipped. Waiting on a price from the local Kubota dealer for the hydraulic block (Messicks has it for$34 but they want $16 to ship it).

Aaron Z

 

[joeyd]

My guess is that Messick's plus shipping will be less expensive than the dealer.

 

[aczlan]

My guess is that Messick's plus shipping will be less expensive than the dealer.

Actually, it was about the same price from the dealer (might have been $2 more) and shipping is $7 (if it doesn't end up with a regular order).

Aaron Z

 

[GPintheMitten]

Wouldn't hurt to call local dealer. I recently priced an expensive part (loader control valve). Price was the same but local was no shipping.

Edit. .. just saw you last post...never mind.