FEL self leveling valve

   / FEL self leveling valve #1  

mbu

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Tractor
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Has anyone here installed one of these "self leveling" valves (or similar) on their FEL?

Self Leveling Valves

Thanks...
 
   / FEL self leveling valve #2  
Just to be clear, this only adjusts your bucket as it raises and lowers. It does not make your bucket level to the ground.
 
   / FEL self leveling valve
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Just to be clear, this only adjusts your bucket as it raises and lowers. It does not make your bucket level to the ground.

Correct, that is what I want. In other words, it will maintain a bucket position as the boom is raised or lowered.

Eton called it "Self Leveling" so I just followed suit.
 
   / FEL self leveling valve #4  
Not on a tractor but the buckets on our ladder trucks have them. It would take a lot of dirt moving to justify the install. What’s the cost of the Eaton valve?
 
   / FEL self leveling valve #5  
Our John Deere has this horrible cumbersome arrangement of tubing to accomplish that. My Kubota has the cylinders sized and plumbed to accomplish that without a valve. I think it's not always perfect.
 
   / FEL self leveling valve #6  
My backhoe has this feature on the loader. I don't know how it works but I like it. I don't think mine is a separate valve but probably built into the SCV.
 
   / FEL self leveling valve
  • Thread Starter
#7  
I'm wanting to install it on a Kubota M7060.

Kubota makes a similar valve for the M series tractors but it is integral with the joystick valve - meaning one must order the valve with the loader. This adds about $800.00 to the cost. If one gets the valve thru a Kubota Wholegoods number (M7999) than one will need to buy a completely new valve and the cost will be around $1,800.00. That is why I'm looking at the Eton valve since it appears that it can be installed using the existing valve.

The Eton valve in the link would cost around $850.00. Eton brand is known for having "high" costs so I'll check if other manufacturers offer the same valve at less cost. Kubota's valve and the Eton valve works on both the boom and down motions. Please note: this valve is NOT the same as Kubota's "spill guard" that is offered on their L series tractors.
 
   / FEL self leveling valve #8  
The Eaton units only work if you have the correct geometry of loader lift vs curl and cylinder ratio sizes that match the leveling valve adjustment range(if adjustable).

I am not sure the data sheets will define loader geometry requirements and cylinder ratio or not. Majority of these provide decent performance over a limited range of movement like from 20% raised to 70% raised. These can be challenging to tune in.

Some Eaton systems are level on raise only if level in both directions it might disable the float function. Again depends on system parameters

If Kubota offers hydraulic leveling option for your FEL then I suspect the Eaton unit might work
 

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