Is this an odd set up?

[SylvainG]

When I bought my (new to me) tractor and (new) snow blower, the dealer added a (wood chipper) control valve to control the chute's direction. This valve uses the backhoe hydraulic input. Last weekend, I disconnected the blower and reinstalled the backhoe. Now to work the backhoe, I have to put the blower chute control valve in its detent position so the fluid reaches the backhoe. The backhoe out port connects back to its original location at the back of the tractor, leaving one of the chute port open (need to get a cap, I know). Is this an odd set up? How would you connect the chute if it were you?

BTW, in this picture, you can see the lever used to disconnect the rods that attach the backhoe to the tractor. Taking off or putting the backhoe is only a matter of moving this lever. It's a very cool setup.

This is what the chute control valve looks like. It's a PLS50T4JRSH by Brand Hydraulics. The right hose connects to the back of the loader control valve and is the backhoe input (Power Beyond). The left hose connects back to the main valve block tank return port. The top top hose is what the backhoe connects to (through that fender mounted quick connect) and bottom top hose is the one left unconnected when using the backhoe. When the snow blower is connected, it connects to one of the blower chute motor port, the top top port connects to the motor other port.

 

[SylvainG]

Hmm, no answers If that can help, here's what they did. It's the hydaulic circuit diagram of my tractor to which I've added in the red rectangle what represents the chute control valve and how it connects into the circuit.

 

[SylvainG]

Circling back to this. What I find odd is when I'm using the backhoe, I have to leave the blower chute valve (red rectangle above) in its detent position to allow the fluid to reach the backhoe, but there is no hose connected to the B port of the valve (see 'B' in the red rectangle above). I've added a plug to prevent dirt from entering the quick connect but since this line connects to the tank port on my hydraulic block assembly, I'm afraid it could suck in air or small dirt particles. Am I worrying for nothing or is this really an odd set up?

 

[WranglerX]

Actually has to be plumbed the way it is in red block as with back hoe removed the PB port of chute control has to return to tank.... With back hoe in place you have to open a port on chute valve to create a new PB path to hoe, ie: chute valve body in detent to create flow through path to P port for hoe valve body...

Dale

 

[SylvainG]

Yes, the valve IS a log splitter valve (PLS50T4JRSH). With this valve, the pump unloads to tank when the lever is in neutral. That's why I have to move the lever to its detent position (ie, the position to retract the cylinder on a log splitter) when I connect my backhoe instead of the blower. I had to increase the release pressure of the valve otherwise by just moving the backhoe, it would trip the valve to its neutral position The soil here is still frozen but now I can easily lift the back of the tractor or pull the tractor with the backhoe without tripping the valve.

My worry though is more with the quick connect that is left open. Because of the lever in its detent position, the return to tank port is now an open path to the tank and that's why I'm afraid contaminant could be sucked in if the hydraulic reservoir is under negative pressure. If the reservoir not under negative pressure, then I guess it shouldn't be a problem if the quick connect is capped.

 

[oldnslo]

Hmm, no answers If that can help, here's what they did. It's the hydaulic circuit diagram of my tractor to which I've added in the red rectangle what represents the chute control valve and how it connects into the circuit.

According to this schematic it is functioning correctly. The flow is coming out of the loader valve power beyond to the blower chute control valve. The chute control unloads to tank in the center condition. Shifting the valve provides oil to the back hoe valve. On your tractor the Hydraulic Block assembly is used to select loader valve or three point hitch so power beyond in the chute control valve is not required.
Plugging the unused "B" is not required but is a good idea to keep dirt, moisture, etc. out of the quick disconnect.

 

[WranglerX]

Never hurts to fill un connected QC with plugged "mate" (male) to plug port to keep it clean...

Dale

 

[SylvainG]

Ok, thanks, that's reassuring.

I was thinking of rerouting the valve to make it behave like a remote control valve instead, by disconnecting the return to tank on the valve and bringing to the back of the tractor and connect the backhoe to it. That way, the backhoe would function with the valve in its center position. When disconnecting the backhoe, I would simply plug that quickconnect to the vent port at the back of the tractor (where it would have gone originally). My only concern is the valve says its output port should be connected to tank so not sure how it would handle seeing high pressure on that port (there is a safety relief valve between the in and out port).

 

[oldnslo]

Your chute control does not have power beyond so you can not pressurize the tank line of that valve. If the chute valve had power beyond you would still require separate line for tank plus have to install jumper hose whenever the backhoe is not attached

 

[grsthegreat]

If that valve were to pop out of detent, could you not deadhead the hydraulic pump. Not a good thing.

 

[oldnslo]

If that valve were to pop out of detent, could you not deadhead the hydraulic pump. Not a good thing.

No it would not. Chute valve in center position unloads the pump to tank.

also main system relief is hydraulic selector block

 

[SylvainG]

Indeed, when the valve is in center position, it flows back to the tank.

Can I instead of flowing it back to the tank, feed the backhoe? It would mean the output of the valve would be under pressure when the backhoe is in use. Not sure if that's ok.

 

[oldnslo]

Indeed, when the valve is in center position, it flows back to the tank.

Can I instead of flowing it back to the tank, feed the backhoe? It would mean the output of the valve would be under pressure when the backhoe is in use. Not sure if that's ok.

No you can not use the tank port of chute valve to supply backhoe.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

If it were me, I'd add a quick disconnect pair in front of the blower valve and move the PB hose from valve to BH as necessary. Logically, then you have either your normal BH inserted into the hydraulic loop or your valve. This is exactly how I have my rear remotes plumbed. Can't use 'em with BH connected, so having them out of the loop is fine.

 

[SylvainG]

Thanks but because of the place they've put the valve, adding quick connects would make it cumbersome to get of the tractor from its right side. The hose are already in the way and adding 1/2" quick connects would reduce that clearance even more. Too bad my tractor didn't come with a remote valve where the 3PH lever is (it was an option at purchase but that tractor was purchase new from someone else 10 years ago without that option). It would have been so much cleaner.

 

[WranglerX]

If that valve were to pop out of detent, could you not deadhead the hydraulic pump. Not a good thing.

Not as its configured in diagram in first post because thru path would be to tank when it comes out of detent...

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Thanks but because of the place they've put the valve, adding quick connects would make it cumbersome to get of the tractor from its right side. The hose are already in the way and adding 1/2" quick connects would reduce that clearance even more. Too bad my tractor didn't come with a remote valve where the 3PH lever is (it was an option at purchase but that tractor was purchase new from someone else 10 years ago without that option). It would have been so much cleaner.

Think outside the box. No one said the QDs had to be just right there. I propose you move the original hydraulic lines back to their original locations. Without your valve, I assume you would have a PB loop with a male/female QD pair in the back when the BH is absent. Put that back. Add hoses with QDs from that location to your valve. Use 90 degree fittings or whatever to get your right side clearance. So basically you are swapping in or out either the BH or valve into the hydraulic loop.

This is not hard. Picturs help post some more.