Kubota "Shockless Ride", SoftDrive or equivalent accumulator?

[mikester]

i have 'Soft Ride' on my Quicke (ALO) loader. i had to wait for it so got to use the machine for almost a year without it. Now having it, it is a nice feature. I road a lot into town. Even with the empty bucket/forks it helps with bounce.
Doing precise work is not easy with it 'on' as the loader is spongy feeling and will bounce a bit when you stop moving.
I'd likely get it again, but could live without it if I had to. it was a $1000 touch here in canada.
View attachment 666367

Does your accumulator setup have only one manual valve and a pressure tank? Do you have a part number on your reservoir? How do you discharge the reservoir?

 

[Thunder chicken]

Does your accumulator setup have only one manual valve and a pressure tank? Do you have a part number on your reservoir? How do you discharge the reservoir?

yes, a manual shut off valve on the accumulator. I'm on the road for work till end of august so can't look but if you look on Quicke's website you should find the soft ride kit, maybe look in their manual section. There is no discharging the accumulator. The instructions say to lower the loader to the ground, shut off tractor, relieve hydraulic pressure then turn the valve (on or off). mine came from an AGCO dealer.
A friend just got a JD pay loader (6yd bucket?) and he loves the load damper on it.

 

[Tinhack]

Nice feature. It is useful on washboard travel or at road speed even empty; anywhere that FELs tend to get bouncy. It takes about 75% of the bounce out.
That should reduce wear on the whole loader & hydraulics....maybe on the front axle pivots too.

JD calls their version "Comfort Ride". It engages/disengages when stopped via a dashboard solenoid switch. The solenoid switch makes it handy.

I'd get it again, especially at Kubota's add-on price. And I'd combine it with an aftermarket Grammer air ride suspension seat.
rScotty

Looks like it's just an "air bubble" in the load side of the front cylinders. Since air will compress, it provides the cushion for the load. This also means the loaded cylinders are moving all the time you're in motion. I don't see how that could possibly reduce wear. In fact, it adds to the cylinder wear.

 

[rScotty]

Nice feature. It is useful on washboard travel or at road speed even empty; anywhere that FELs tend to get bouncy. It takes about 75% of the bounce out. That should reduce wear on the whole loader & hydraulics....maybe on the front axle pivots too.[/U]

Looks like it's just an "air bubble" in the load side of the front cylinders. Since air will compress, it provides the cushion for the load. This also means the loaded cylinders are moving all the time you're in motion. I don't see how that could possibly reduce wear. In fact, it adds to the cylinder wear.

I think that by "loaded cylinders" you mean that the FEL pistons are moving in the cylinders as it damps. Nice observation; that does makes sense. Luckily cylinders and pistons are set up to move like that with little wear.

The wear I was referring to is more destructive. It's the result of the impact forces that happen with an undamped FEL. Mechanical hammering on the pins and bushings of the loader plus front axle, and hydraulic hammering against the loader valve & all the FEL hydraulic parts. Damping should reduce both of those.

But on our big tractor, I think the larger benefit is how it travels in high gear on the road. Bucket loaded or not, the FEL damping reduces the front end bouncing. It makes the steering safer and the ride better. Without damping we road a lot slower.
I still think the difference is mostly worth it for going fast on rough roads. I have it on one TLB but not the other.
rScotty

 

[Tinhack]

Yes, of course the cylinders/pistons are designed to move. But in this case, the movement is in a short range and maybe multiplied 1000 times or more each time you drive. It's why shock absorbers on cars don't last forever. I'm just saying you're adding wear not removing it. As far pins or whatever, that still occurs. They're still in the circuit/mechanism.

Forgot to mention: Whoever said is was safe to drive a loaded tractor at full speed? You're playing Russian Roulette if you do.

 

[Smokeydog]

Russian roulette is appropriate. A gun and fired bullet see the same force. Which end to you want to be on?
Suspension are not just for creature comfort but help equipment to perform better and last longer. From stagecoaches to trains.

Think this would make a great improvement on the Kubota M59. High powered medium size TLB. My poor 1 ton 4x4 Power Wagon dump truck just sits in the weeds since getting a grapple 25 years ago. Can carry brush faster.

 

[Smokeydog]

Maybe jumped in over my head. The KRS from Kubota for bigger tractors is interesting. Several KRS systems offered on eBay along with new and used accumulators. Watched an installation of one accumulator bulb system on a Massy look easy and made a noticeable difference. Something similar for the M59 would be nice.

Made offer on a LA1953 KRS kit. Slightly higher loader specs than my TL1350. I suspect this kit was NOS from an older loader model. Most people add this to a new tractor purchase.
The dealership took my $200 offer and should get it this week. It will not most likely bolt on my M59 but comes with accumulators, lots of lines, valve and brackets. I’ll have time handle the parts and to think about modifications and installation when the work load slows during the winter. To use one or two accumulator bulbs or if they are the same is an unanswered question.

Hopefully helps not only smooth loader carrying operation but with bush hogging and grading too.

 

[rScotty]

Great deal! I'll be watching to see how it does on our M59s.

 

[Smokeydog]

Got a big box of parts Kubota KRS kit for a LA1953, 2008 year manufacture.

The accumulators bulbs have different charge pressures. 290 and 580psi made by Bosch. Basically giving two different springs to cushion a broader range of weight. Lighter capacity loaders may get by with one accumulator.

The valve is two quarter turn valves mechanically linked manual valves.

Leaning toward using a N0 solenoid valve that I can operate without getting off the tractor.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yes, of course the cylinders/pistons are designed to move. But in this case, the movement is in a short range and maybe multiplied 1000 times or more each time you drive. It's why shock absorbers on cars don't last forever. I'm just saying you're adding wear not removing it. As far pins or whatever, that still occurs.They're still in the circuit/mechanism.

Forgot to mention: Whoever said is was safe to drive a loaded tractor at full speed? You're playing Russian Roulette if you do.

Id much rather wear my hydraulic loader cylinders than front axle components. The 3 range of travel on the loader cylinders is nothing compared to solid shock hits on a front axle. Then thereç—´ operator comfort and handling. Itç—´ a world of difference running 2 900lb round bales across a field at 20MPH versus a non shockless ride loader at 10 MPH. Double speed is more profit and much easier on the body after long hours. You know, other components get rocked without an accumulator. Metals get stressed, too. An accumulator takes off a great deal of stress on them.
Been running accumulator (shockless ride) on my hay bale loading tractor for 8 year and loaded/unloaded over 12,000 4x5 round bales.
When you say “ as far as pins or whatever, that still occurs “ , yes, it does, but if it occurs at a much slower rate, that saves me money. Money is what keeps my business going for 35 years now.

As far as running tractor at full speed, yeah you have to run at full speed to make money in my business. Every farmer that. I know knows rain is always coming and working long hours into the night running full speed makes the difference between higher profits and less profits.

 

[Smokeydog]

Does anyone have a installation instructions manual for the 1954 loader KSR kit? Plumbing diagram?

 

[powersrp]

I mow with my bucket removed but i leave the FEL arms on the tractor, it does bang and slam at times, while this is a good idea, it adds complication, guess ill have to slow down while mowing.

 

[npalen]

I would guess that the reason for dual accumulators is that they can be pre-charged with nitrogen to different pressures. The lower pressure one would take the initial load when hitting a "road bump" and the higher pressure one would take the "high end" of the shock. This would be similar to variable rate shock absorbers as well as rubber spring cushions on some road vehicles. {Keeps things from bottoming out}

It's interesting how things like the idea of accumulators to cushion the shock load on FEL's evolve over time. It reminds of running a Deere 7720 combine about 35 years ago, give or take a year or two. There was a large accumulator mounted on the side of the chassis that I noticed was connected to the header lift cylinders with a manual valve in between. I figured that had to be cushion for the header so opened the valve one day to give it a try. I was amazed at the effect, it acted like a giant counterbalance spring cushioning the header. (platform as some call it) Not only that but when crossing terraces even at an angle it would prevent on end of the sickle from gouging and picking up dirt due to the balanced floating action.
Nowadays, of course, the newer combines have automated all of this and the operator can electronically dial in the amount of pressure the header exerts on the ground. Also the headers have built-in flex for cutting "on the ground" for short crops such as soybeans. (All at a price of course) The new Deere X9 combines are approaching one million dollars when fully equipped for field operation.

 

[ptsg]

One thing about dual accumulators. It's either connected in series for extra volume or I've seen one connected to extending side of the cylinder and other to the retract side of the cylinder. The theory is that prevents hose collapsing and pulling the rubber inside on the retract side, when the accumulators are only connected to the extending side.

 

[npalen]

One thing about dual accumulators. It's either connected in series for extra volume or I've seen one connected to extending side of the cylinder and other to the retract side of the cylinder. The theory is that prevents hose collapsing and pulling the rubber inside on the retract side, when the accumulators are only connected to the extending side.

Good info.

 

[Smokeydog]

I’m trying to fit a 1954 loader KSR kit to a TL1350 loader on a M59.

From Messicks I can see the parts diagram. Two different charged accumulators. Mounted inside the structural lower tubes of the the loader bracket towers. Connected with hoses and metal lines. Then hoses to the loader valve and supplied manual valves for the KSR. The KSR valves are linked together to operate together, on or off.

I first thought the accumulators were connected together for more range. But why the two valves? ptsg May be right, one for extension side and one for retraction side? Problem is I can’t see the flow pathway thru the loader valve or the KSR valves from a parts diagram. Collapsing rubber doesn’t sound good.

I got the KSR kit mainly for just the accumulators knowing the brackets and hoses would not fit my loader.

Not interested having additional lines under the tractor or having to dismount the tractor to turn the KSR on or off.

So far looking at a mounting area right side, inside the loader frame and engine. Building off the third function valve cover box. The accumulators are teed together, needle valve for flow control and damping, ball valve for off and on. Can reach the ball valve from the operator station. Then a line teed to the lift port of the loader cylinder. Haven’t installed it yet. Still in the thinking/mockup mode.

Aftermarket soft ride systems use one accumulator similarly plumbed with good effect.

There is probably an orifice plate needed somewhere. The bouncing load energy is stored and released by the spring-like action of the accumulators. An orifice would help dampen the force and convert some of the mechanical energy into heat. Thinking needle valve would give an adjustable orifice-like flow control.

I’m not in a hurry and taking time to gather information and consider design issues before installing. Whole lot more I don’t know than understand at this point. Any advise will be welcome.

What I know so far;
The accumulators are precharged to 290psi on one and 580psi on the other. Made by Bosch. Threads British straight with O-ring similar to SAE type. Needed a good hydraulic shop to figure that out.

 

[ptsg]

The ones I've seen are pre-charged with 40 Bar or 580 PSI.

If you're doing your own kit, you can simply add a 12v Solenoid shut off valve instead of a manual shut off valve. Run the wires to the cab, with a switch and you're good to.

I've thought about adding this soft ride feature to my homemade loader as I road the tractor quite often. It would cost me less than 100€ ($120) for the pre-charged accumulator, hoses, fittings and manual valve. But haven't go around to do it yet.

 

[Smokeydog]

At first I thought about using a solenoid valve. Mounting placement I could use either and maybe could throttle a manual valve. In a position I can reach. Needed about 2” height for my mockup so adding a needle valve for flow control was a solution. Trying to keep simple. Users of KSR have reported infrequent need of turning off.

Your point of maybe needing accumulators on each side of the cylinder is interesting. To give cushion on one side would produce vacuum on the other. I could do that too. Would require two valves to turn off or on.

 

[npalen]

Any safety issues to consider with the KSR other than those normally associated with charged accumulators?

Edit: Talks about the reason for two accumulators:
W.R. Long, Inc. | Comfort Ride

 

[rScotty]

I知 trying to fit a 1954 loader KSR kit to a TL1350 loader on a M59.

From Messicks I can see the parts diagram. Two different charged accumulators. Mounted inside the structural lower tubes of the the loader bracket towers. Connected with hoses and metal lines. Then hoses to the loader valve and supplied manual valves for the KSR. The KSR valves are linked together to operate together, on or off.

I first thought the accumulators were connected together for more range. But why the two valves? ptsg May be right, one for extension side and one for retraction side? Problem is I can稚 see the flow pathway thru the loader valve or the KSR valves from a parts diagram. Collapsing rubber doesn稚 sound good.

I got the KSR kit mainly for just the accumulators knowing the brackets and hoses would not fit my loader.

Not interested having additional lines under the tractor or having to dismount the tractor to turn the KSR on or off.

So far looking at a mounting area right side, inside the loader frame and engine. Building off the third function valve cover box. The accumulators are teed together, needle valve for flow control and damping, ball valve for off and on. Can reach the ball valve from the operator station. Then a line teed to the lift port of the loader cylinder. Haven稚 installed it yet. Still in the thinking/mockup mode.

Aftermarket soft ride systems use one accumulator similarly plumbed with good effect.

There is probably an orifice plate needed somewhere. The bouncing load energy is stored and released by the spring-like action of the accumulators. An orifice would help dampen the force and convert some of the mechanical energy into heat. Thinking needle valve would give an adjustable orifice-like flow control.

I知 not in a hurry and taking time to gather information and consider design issues before installing. Whole lot more I don稚 know than understand at this point. Any advise will be welcome.

What I know so far;
The accumulators are precharged to 290psi on one and 580psi on the other. Made by Bosch. Threads British straight with O-ring similar to SAE type. Needed a good hydraulic shop to figure that out.

OK....SmokeyDog and I started talking and we've ended up with the exact same kit which we plan to put on our Kubota M59s. Somehow, neither one of us ended up with a copy of Kubota's formal installation instructions that was supposed to come with this kit. So if anyone has that literature it would be helpful. Otherwise we plan to just put our heads together and figure it out.

We've both got a good mechanical background, but I'm laid up right now and will probably be another 6 months before I can get back into the machine shop or to tractoring. Right now it falls to SmokeyDog & I'm just going to have to follow along while he has most of the fun.

On tractors with heavy loaders and buckets having a way to reduce the bouncing with a hydraulic "Comfort Ride" is real valuable.
We all know that not only does some damping make traveling more comfortable, but it really reduces the impact loading of the bounce on the front end and loader parts. I've seen these dampers put to good use on tractors from about 35 to 100 hp. We have it as a factory kit on our 90 hp JD.

For some reason there are a large number of these Kubota "Shockless Ride" or "Easy Ride" Kits out there on aftermarket and on Ebay, and they all work more or less the same. Prices are good.... maybe as low as half the asking price. So there's a good opportunity here for anyone else who wants to join in the fun. You can't loose much, or hurt much of anything, and it may just work a treat.
rScotty