Electric Hydraulic

[anesthes]

I asked this in another forum but realize this might be the better place.

I want to discontinue using the hinge and linkage to my loader valve, and I'd like to run an electric switched setup. I'm curious if I could purchase something that is electric that would push/pull the valve arm rather than replacing the entire valve with an electric operated unit.

Any info or links you folks could provide would be greatly appreciated.

I know WR LONG for example sells a kit with the handle, rocker switch with self center, and valve for grapples and things like that. I don't need or really want to replace the valve however, I'd rather find something to push/pull on it.

Thanks!

-- Joe

 

[J_J]

The springs in a standard valve, take quite a bit of force to actuate. Try pulling or pushing on a spool with your fingers, and you will see what I mean. So you want a solenoid of a DC motor to shift the lever for you. I don't recall seeing anything like that. You would probably lose the ability to feather, and you would need two solenoids or a reversible DC motor, and it would be rather slow.

A DC solenoid hyd valve to replace the one you have would probably the way to go, using a switch to activate. You will lose the feather ability with electric, unless you get a proportional solenoid valve.

Just for the heck of it, a threaded rod attached to the lever, connected to a 12 v electric reversible drill might work. Mount the drill solid and pull the trigger for fwd or rev. That is just for one spool.

 

[anesthes]

The springs in a standard valve, take quite a bit of force to actuate. Try pulling or pushing on a spool with your fingers, and you will see what I mean. So you want a solenoid of a DC motor to shift the lever for you. I don't recall seeing anything like that. You would probably lose the ability to feather, and you would need two solenoids or a reversible DC motor, and it would be rather slow.

A DC solenoid hyd valve to replace the one you have would probably the way to go, using a switch to activate. You will lose the feather ability with electric, unless you get a proportional solenoid valve.

Just for the heck of it, a threaded rod attached to the lever, connected to a 12 v electric reversible drill might work. Mount the drill solid and pull the trigger for fwd or rev. That is just for one spool.

So maybe the way to go is replace the valve.

The 12VDC valves that northern sells, would they work for this application? I'd imagine I'd want to use a float center on the boom, and a normal spool for the bucket?

-- Joe

 

[SSdoxie]

Float in center would drop your lift when trying to carry a load. Go to Hydraforce website, look up "electric proportional control valve". Quite a bit of information there on how it works and what would be needed. No prices, they sell only through hydraulics dealers, but by the time you get variable resistance paddle switches for the control, electronic control module to reduce voltage to the paddle switches and convert signal from them back to variable amperage 12v to acitvate the valve, plus price of the valve; you may seriously consider just replacing all your mechanical linkage with new.

 

[Villengineer]

you may seriously consider just replacing all your mechanical linkage with new.

Or the entire loader. Proportional valves and all their components are NOT cheap.

 

[anesthes]

Or the entire loader. Proportional valves and all their components are NOT cheap.

It's a skid steer. Kinda stuck with what it is unless I trade in the machine.

-- Joe

 

[mikeinwi]

You could try one of these:

Surplus Center - 1.96" STROKE 107 LB. 12 VDC LINEAR ACTUATOR

Hooked directly in-line with the spool it should have plenty of force and since most spool valves have about 3/8 inch stroke from center to one of the operating positions, it would take about 1/2 to one second to shift the spool.

Thinking out loud:

It would not naturally return to neutral like a normal spring return, lever operated valve but would be more like a detent valve where it stays in position until you move it back.

A solenoid operated valve would at least snap back to the neutral position when you removed power from the coil.