Snow Attachments Another FEL Attached Snow Plow Project

[kennyd]

Oh yea, forgot to ask . . . does the WR Long system provide for the cross-over relief system that was mentioned earlier? How big of a deal is this?

Short answer is NO, there is no x-over relief in the valve.

Big deal to me, but like everything else 'round here it's up for debate. I say you can't go wrong for the $70 or it'll cost to add one.

 

[kennyd]

As for the cylinders I got them new, Chinese Replacements, off Ebay for $45 each and 2 seasons now not a leak and they work perfect.

Chris

Yup...Or I heard that Baily's has them on sale for $49: Bailey Hydraulic Cylinders Manufacturer

 

[kennyd]

Ok, let's talk hydraulic hookups.

When I bought the tractor new, I had them put on additional front and rear hydraulic hook ups. This will be my first occasion to use the front ones. They are controlled by a toggle switch on the FEL control arm and the quick attach ports are mounted near the front of the FEL.

With the tractor, I received a set of hydraulic lines with quick attach fittings on one end and a 90 degree fitting on the end that would attach to the angle cylinders on the plow. So, my question is . . . What type of fitting would be best to use between these hydraulic lines and the angle cylinder? A straight male to male fitting?, a 90 degree male to male swivel like the one I took off (also in pic)?, or something else. I don't have to adapt the size since the hydraulic lines already match the cylinder (1/4" fitting I believe).

Let me know your thoughts!

Do you know what fittings are on the hoses? I can't tell if they are NPTF or JIC's, If you don't know post a picture looking into the fitting. The cylinders have a 1/4" NPT port.

 

[Dead Horse]

Ok, let's talk hydraulic hookups.

When I bought the tractor new, I had them put on additional front and rear hydraulic hook ups. This will be my first occasion to use the front ones. They are controlled by a toggle switch on the FEL control arm and the quick attach ports are mounted near the front of the FEL.

With the tractor, I received a set of hydraulic lines with quick attach fittings on one end and a 90 degree fitting on the end that would attach to the angle cylinders on the plow. So, my question is . . . What type of fitting would be best to use between these hydraulic lines and the angle cylinder? A straight male to male fitting?, a 90 degree male to male swivel like the one I took off (also in pic)?, or something else. I don't have to adapt the size since the hydraulic lines already match the cylinder (1/4" fitting I believe).

Let me know your thoughts!

When I put my rig together (which I grant you, is anything but "pretty", I dry fit the whole thing before I started cutting hoses and plumbing up fittings. That way I could see how the implement (plow) hoses were going to lay over the loader bucket and down around the frame. I wanted to make sure nothing was going to get pinched. I had one straight fitting and one90 degree fitting. it didn't matter so I used what I had.

Like I said, it ain't pretty but it works good and I don't have a hundred bucks in it....

The oil on the floor is where I "applied" a bit of used motor oil to the pivot points on the old plow frame. Mine does not have fancy grease fittings.....

The last picture is where the big fella sleeps.

 

[Kubota Tee]

I just got back from my friend's shop and he was able to get the plug out of the cylinder. He had to heat it as well as drill a part of it to get it out. He did say that it gave him a little struggle. A little struggle for him means a big hassle for me - GLAD I BROUGHT IT TO HIM!

While I was there, I got to see him and his partner putting the rebuilt tracks back on a bulldozer - NEAT STUFF. Even though they are dealing with some heavy weight equipment, they certainly have developed techniques and tools to get the job done. I was impressed with how quickly they could put those tracks back on!

Here's a picture of the cylinder and the removed plug.

 

[Kubota Tee]

Do you know what fittings are on the hoses? I can't tell if they are NPTF or JIC's, If you don't know post a picture looking into the fitting. The cylinders have a 1/4" NPT port.

KENNYD,

I took a few pics of the hose fitting, including the inside. The threads are a definite match to the 90 degree swivel that came off the cylinder, but I'm not schooled on the whole NPTF vs JIC difference. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[wedge40]

When I put my rig together (which I grant you, is anything but "pretty", I dry fit the whole thing before I started cutting hoses and plumbing up fittings. That way I could see how the implement (plow) hoses were going to lay over the loader bucket and down around the frame. I wanted to make sure nothing was going to get pinched. I had one straight fitting and one90 degree fitting. it didn't matter so I used what I had.

Like I said, it ain't pretty but it works good and I don't have a hundred bucks in it....

The oil on the floor is where I "applied" a bit of used motor oil to the pivot points on the old plow frame. Mine does not have fancy grease fittings.....

The last picture is where the big fella sleeps.

DH - You wouldn't have a photo or two of just the bracket that you mount to the fel bucket. This looks like a quick and dirty way to make the plow hook to the tractor.

Wedge

 

[Kubota Tee]

My QA Plate arrived:thumbsup: so I took an opportunity to do a rough test fit of the A-Frame. My goal is to bring the plow as close as I can to the QA Plate while still allowing plenty of clearance for the angle cylinders to do their thing!

I've decided to go ahead and try to utilize the old angle cylinders. I will clean them up, give them some new paint and hope for the best! They should be relatively easy to replace if I need to get new ones. Again, looking to save anywhere I can!

Speaking of which (saving money that is), my friend at the bulldozer shop said that his business was really slow and he would be happy to work with me on the other aspects of this project. Since he is slow, he said that he would only charge me for materials as long as I would work with him. Seems like a good deal to me!!

 

[Kubota Tee]

Yup...Or I heard that Baily's has them on sale for $49: Bailey Hydraulic Cylinders Manufacturer

KENNYD,

Thanks for the info on Baily's - been looking for a site like this and the prices seem really reasonable.:thumbsup:

 

[kennyd]

KENNYD,

I took a few pics of the hose fitting, including the inside. The threads are a definite match to the 90 degree swivel that came off the cylinder, but I'm not schooled on the whole NPTF vs JIC difference. Any help would be appreciated.

What you have is a JIC fitting on that hose, notice that inside the nut is a 37* taper? Although it threaded onto the NPT 90* from the old cylinder-it will NOT seal.

You will need a NPT to JIC adapter-straight, 45* or 90* I can't answer, so here is links to all of them:

SAE 37? Flare (JIC) x Male Pipe Swivel (NPTF) 90? Elbow

Steel Fittings: JIC 37? Male x NPTF Male Pipe

Steel Fittings: JIC 37? Male x NPTF Male Pipe 45?

Here is a thread chart to help you determine the sizes: Fluid Port Size Charts > Discount Hydraulic Hose.com

 

[Kubota Tee]

What you have is a JIC fitting on that hose, notice that inside the nut is a 37* taper? Although it threaded onto the NPT 90* from the old cylinder-it will NOT seal.

You will need a NPT to JIC adapter-straight, 45* or 90* I can't answer, so here is links to all of them:

KENNYD,

Thanks for response and the education!! The links were above and beyond the call of duty! My hats off to you sir.:drink:

I certainly see what you mean about the taper. I'll figure out which fitting I need and get them ordered up. Since the hose fittings already incorporate a 90 degree bend, I'm thinking that all I will need is the straight NPT to JIC adapter. They are also the cheapest!:thumbsup:

 

[kennyd]

KENNYD,

Thanks for response and the education!! The links were above and beyond the call of duty! My hats off to you sir.:drink:

You are quite welcome...glad to help.

Now, when you are bored, do a search on the term "regen", you will need to know about it when you get it all hooked up or you will be back asking why you plow will only angle one way!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Glad you got the plug out of the cylinder but I hope heating it did not damaged any of the seals.

Chris

 

[Dead Horse]

DH - You wouldn't have a photo or two of just the bracket that you mount to the fel bucket. This looks like a quick and dirty way to make the plow hook to the tractor.

Wedge

wedge, I will take a picture. What I used is what is left of a plow frame from my smaller plow that I usually mount on my Kubota 3710. And THAT came off an old Willies jeep I have back in one of the barns,.

By using long enough pins and some washers I made what I have work.. (kind of a constant theme with me.) That way the Fel mount can be used on either tractor and either plow.

I will take some pictures when I get back in town on thursday. It is simple set up though, nothing special at all. just bolted to the loader bucket.

 

[Kubota Tee]

Glad you got the plug out of the cylinder but I hope heating it did not damaged any of the seals.

Chris

Chris,

I had the piston pulled all the way out when I dropped it off. I was able to cycle the piston back in and out after I brought it home - thought about the whole seal / heat potential issue as well. I guess I won't know for sure until I get everything hooked up and try it out.

Also looking into this whole REGEN issue that KENNYD introduced. I thought all I would have to do is just hook up each cylinder from the extra ports on my FEL and I'd be ready to go More research!

 

[4shorts]

Chris,

I had the piston pulled all the way out when I dropped it off. I was able to cycle the piston back in and out after I brought it home - thought about the whole seal / heat potential issue as well. I guess I won't know for sure until I get everything hooked up and try it out.

Also looking into this whole REGEN issue that KENNYD introduced. I thought all I would have to do is just hook up each cylinder from the extra ports on my FEL and I'd be ready to go More research!

Well your not the only one that's confused. All I'm using is my 3rd function set up and when I did my plow conversion I hooked up the two angle hoses and it worked perfectly as I expected it to do. I've plowed with it commercially for two seasons now and haven't skipped a beat.

 

[kennyd]

Also looking into this whole REGEN issue that KENNYD introduced. I thought all I would have to do is just hook up each cylinder from the extra ports on my FEL and I'd be ready to go More research!

Well your not the only one that's confused. All I'm using is my 3rd function set up and when I did my plow conversion I hooked up the two angle hoses and it worked perfectly as I expected it to do. I've plowed with it commercially for two seasons now and haven't skipped a beat.

\
I may have mis-led you both...The regen will only be a problem is you are using the dump/curl circuit on the FEL valve. I see 4shorts is not but not sure about you KT? I may have made a bad ASSumption, sorry to confuse you if I did.

 

[jgrreed]

Hey Guys,

How careful do I have to be with the gator blade on my loader to avoid twisting my the arms?? It's 8' wide, and certainly doesn't sit as tight to the loader as the custom ones seen here.

-Jer.

 

[Kubota Tee]

\
I may have mis-led you both...The regen will only be a problem is you are using the dump/curl circuit on the FEL valve. I see 4shorts is not but not sure about you KT? I may have made a bad ASSumption, sorry to confuse you if I did.

KENNYD,

No worries my friend! I know your intentions were good:thumbsup: and only trying to help. Yea, my setup is pretty much the same as 4SHORTS with an independent third function valve that is operated by a toggle switch on the FEL joystick.

Good to know I shouldn't expect any problems in this area - already have quite a few things to keep me busy on this project!

 

[dstig1]

KENNYD,

No worries my friend! I know your intentions were good:thumbsup: and only trying to help. Yea, my setup is pretty much the same as 4SHORTS with an independent third function valve that is operated by a toggle switch on the FEL joystick.

Good to know I shouldn't expect any problems in this area - already have quite a few things to keep me busy on this project!

Well OK, but you have me curious now as I have a diverter on my Curl/Dump circuit... No plow - not at least for a couple years until the new place gets built. So how does regen affect the plow angle cylinders? Is this a situation where you need double acting cylinders to allow fluid flow on both sides of each cyl?