3-Spool Hydraulic Valve Control For a Root Grapple

[kubotal3350]

Hello everyone, I'm a new member here. I've purchased a regular 3-spool hydraulic valve control to replace the existing 2-spool that controls the FEL on my Kubota L3350. The reasons are that I want to use a grapple on my tractor and it is more economical compare to the 3rd function with joystick. I can live with operating one function at a time, no need to use multiple at the same time. In theory it should work! My question is: will it work?

Thanks, Dan

 

[TractorGuy]

:welcome: to TBN

3 spool valve should work fine.

 

[kubotal3350]

Thank you very much for the quick response, TractorGuy. I'll report back when installed and how it works.

 

[Dave M7040]

Did your existing FEL valve use 6 or 7 hoses?

7 means it has power beyond likely to feed the rear of the tractor.

Your new valve can possibly have power beyond as an optional feature..... a sleeve or plug.

Dave M040

 

[K5lwq]

Welcome to TBN!

That is what I did on my Kioti. Works really well and it is nice to be able to feather the grapple. Do let us know how it goes. Pictures are appreciated.

 

[old and tired]

... I've purchased a regular 3-spool hydraulic valve control...

Do you have a link to what you bought? Does it have Power Beyond? If it does, it will work... if not, can it accept a power beyond plug (sleeve)?

 

[ericm979]

An even cheaper way would be to add a single spool valve to the system after the loader valve. That also would let you keep your high quality Kubota loader valve. Yes you can get by without being able to do two loader operation at the same time but it sure is nice.

3rd function kits are expensive but if you can assemble hydraulics and fab a bracket you can make your own 3rd function for a fraction of the price.

 

[old and tired]

Also, do you know if the Flow of the valve is compatible with your tractor? I think your tractor says the Pump flow: 9.3 gpm - If that is true and you put a hydraulic valve that is only rated at 8 GPM. Your oil will heat up due to the constraints in the new valve.

If the valve is good, (power beyond and flow rate), I would recommend just adding it to your system (yes, a bit more money since you'll need to plumb it in) You'll have extra valves for hydraulic Top link and Hydraulic side link... that's what I did... I had the grapple first, and I mounted mine just above the FEL control...



Removed the cover of the FEL, mounted flat steel plate above the FEL. Used holes that were there to tie it in. Marked where to mount the new valve to the plate, and bolted it together.

Then, I disconnected the high pressure line out of the FEL, called power beyond line, and attached it to the Power beyond port of the new valve. Then I bought a new hose and looped it from where I disconnect the Fel power beyond and attached into the "In" of the new valve.

Only thing left was to tie both the FEL and the new Valve's low pressure, Return to tank, together (with a "T" fitting). I blocked off the other two valves until I got the T-N-T a few years later...

 

[kubotal3350]

Did your existing FEL valve use 6 or 7 hoses?

7 means it has power beyond likely to feed the rear of the tractor.

My existing valve has only 6 ports. 2 ports coming from the distribution unit under the tractor. I assume 1 is the load and the other is the return. The other 4 ports on the valve go to the FEL. The new 3-spool has 8 ports, 2 for load&return, the other 4 for the FEL and the remaining 2 ports for the grapple. No PB port. I got it from Amazon sold by Summit for about 150 bucks. The max flow rate is 11 gpm where the rate on the tractor is 9.3 gpm. My Kubota was designed to have a backhoe, so I do have one unused remote above the PTO coming from connections on another heavy duty distribution unit under the seat. I'll use this remote to power Top- n-Tilt links. I've also purchased a new 2-spool valve to operate the links. I'll route the hoses from the remote to the valve where I'll install on top of the right rear fender, then more hoses from the valve to drive the T-n-T. The 2-spool unit is 120 bucks.
What do you guys think?

Old and tired: Here is the link to Amazon page: Amazon.com: Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 3 Spool, 11 GPM, SAE Ports: Home Improvement

 

[LouNY]

Did your existing FEL valve use 6 or 7 hoses?

7 means it has power beyond likely to feed the rear of the tractor.

My existing valve has only 6 ports. 2 ports coming from the distribution unit under the tractor. I assume 1 is the load and the other is the return. The other 4 ports on the valve go to the FEL. The new 3-spool has 8 ports, 2 for load&return, the other 4 for the FEL and the remaining 2 ports for the grapple. No PB port. I got it from Amazon sold by Summit for about 150 bucks. The max flow rate is 11 gpm where the rate on the tractor is 9.3 gpm. My Kubota was designed to have a backhoe, so I do have one unused remote above the PTO coming from connections on another heavy duty distribution unit under the seat. I'll use this remote to power Top- n-Tilt links. I've also purchased a new 2-spool valve to operate the links. I'll route the hoses from the remote to the valve where I'll install on top of the right rear fender, then more hoses from the valve to drive the T-n-T. The 2-spool unit is 120 bucks.
What do you guys think?

Old and tired: Here is the link to Amazon page: Amazon.com: Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 3 Spool, 11 GPM, SAE Ports: Home Improvement

Per the amazon spec you can get the power beyound,
it does NOT have a float position on any valves.