Optional Remote Hydraulic valves in Build My Kubota

IslandTractor · May 8, 2012

Look at the photo in my avatar. That is a standard grapple controlled via rear remote with valve about 8-12 inches from FEL. Kioti CK20.

Much better to have the joystick near your right thigh rather than on the dash. There shod be a slot for rear remote valve controller set up nearby on the Kubota B too.

Search IslandTractor and grapple or remote and you'll find lots of discussions of this topic I have participated in over the years.

jim_wilson · May 8, 2012

IslandTractor said:
Look at the photo in my avatar. That is a standard grapple controlled via rear remote with valve about 8-12 inches from FEL. Kioti CK20.

Much better to have the joystick near your right thigh rather than on the dash. There shod be a slot for rear remote valve controller set up nearby on the Kubota B too.

Search IslandTractor and grapple or remote and you'll find lots of discussions of this topic I have participated in over the years.

Thanks - I will do some searching and check those out.

Ductape · May 9, 2012

I'm going to agree with Island Tractor. I don't want to talk you out of your aspirations of a pedal operated grapple, hydraulic thumb, etc. I do think you'll want to do your research, and figure out just how much money you want to spend on these things. You may find the custom hydraulic set-ups will cost as much as your backhoe...... especially if you are paying shop time for the dealer to set up your tractor this way. Like IT suggested, a rear remote valve can be used to operate the grapple. Also, alot of guys use an electric / hydraulic third function from a company such as W.R. Long. The W.R. Long kits run around $900, without including any labor to install. I can certainly see a custom installed left foot pedal set-up costing 3 - 4 times as much as the Long kit. When it comes to the backhoe thumb, I'm going to suggest you get the Woods BH-80X instead of the Kubota backhoe...... as long as you are buying a B3030 / B3200 / B3300 or larger tractor. On the B3200 / B3300 it will not be as integrated, but the Woods hoe is available with a hydraulic thumb kit from the factory. I'm afraid making the thumb on the Kubota hoe hydraulic will run into large $$$$, considering it will need custom plumbing, valving, and likely a custom made or modified hydraulic cylinder to get the geometry correct. Again.... it's possible to make the Kubota thumb hydraulic, but how much are you willing to spend ? The option on the Woods hoe is around $1500 ....... are you willing to spend several times that to convert the Kubota thumb? At least a couple rear remotes are not a huge deal. The two available factory remotes on a B3030 are about $1300. Of course you can do a custom set-up ..... but I recommend the factory remotes when available, as you will end up with a sanitary installation.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

IslandTractor · May 9, 2012

I agree with Ductape on the Woods BH. I have the 90x on my tractor and am very happy with it. If you are building a stone wall, a hydraulic thumb on a BH is much more useful then a grapple bucket for precise placement of rocks.

My Hoe · Sep 29, 2012

Subscribed.

AGTtactical · Sep 30, 2018

Hi guys. I am ordering a L6060 with 3 remotes, all three float detent double acting valves, and a TNT kit. All ordered and installed by Kubota, probably at the dealership.

Two guys on a another thread have had leak problems with their valves, and leaks/fitment problems with the TNT. Have any of you had the same problem?

SDT · Sep 30, 2018

jim_wilson said:
On the B3200 and B3300 they put the loader joystick right next to the seat. I was thinking foot pedal because that would put my right hand on the FEL joystick, left hand on the steering wheel, right foot on the Hydro pedal - and left foot on the grapple pedal. I will be using a rock grapple to build stone walls - and I was thinking I would need the flexibility to operate all things independently.

The easiest and most convenient way to operate your grapple and other front mounted hydraulic accessories is to install the (expensive) Kubota third function valve kit. This is a separate hydraulic circuit on the FEL operated by a thumb switch on the joy stick. I have it on my B3350 to operate the hydraulic angle on my snow plow.

Rear hydraulic remotes for B series tractors are available but are Rube Goldberg set-ups.

SDT

Rustyiron · Sep 30, 2018

AGTtactical said:
Hi guys. I am ordering a L6060 with 3 remotes, all three float detent double acting valves, and a TNT kit. All ordered and installed by Kubota, probably at the dealership.

Two guys on a another thread have had leak problems with their valves, and leaks/fitment problems with the TNT. Have any of you had the same problem?

They are dealer installed. I have read about a few guy's with valve leakage, but what's your option? Your dealer will take care of you. You might express your concern about this when your sitting in front of them ordering these fairly expensive valves. I have all 3 with no problems after 8-9 years but I am getting a little "drift" in the 3 pt itself. As for the tnt, I have no experience other than the top link that I built, no issues with that and it (and the valve) gets a workout.

AGTtactical · Sep 30, 2018

Well, good to hear it Rusty. I googled "Kubota rear remote valve leakage" along with several other similar searches, and not much comes up at all. Doesn't sound like its that much of an issue. I'm getting 3 remotes...all with a float detent option.

I might skip the TNT until I see what options there are...I thought the Kubota branded one would be best, but maybe not.