Single acting cylinders to double

[bdog]

My new to me landpride R2512 12’ batwing shredder has three hydraulic cylinders. One raises and lowers the main deck and the other two raise and lower each wing. All three are t’d together with a single hose going to the tractor. It relies on gravity to lower things.

My tractor has three remotes so I intend to separate the wings from the main lift. That part is simple enough. The hydraulic cylinders look like normal cylinders to me with plugs where the second hoses would go. Is there any reason I couldn’t add additional hoses and make the cylinders double acting so I could have power up and down?

 

[96snma]

If they were power down would it be able to flex and articulate over uneven terrain?

 

[Richard]

You have "ONE" hose that does both, raise the cutting height AND raises the wings?

I'd be changing that today. I'd want those functions independent of each other. As for the power down.....why? Gravity will bring the wings down. Also, as "96" above says, it might impede your movement (though you could put them in float). Putting them in float though, still opens the door to bump things and knock it out of float.

I'd think you're adding more complexity where/when it's not needed.

 

[Tx Jim]

I agree with both replies. You loose the ability for wings to float in order to follow the terrain plus on some 1 way cylinder the extra fitting orifice is for a breather. It's possible cylinder piston seal is designed for pressure in only one direction

 

[Tinhack]

I think the cutting height is set mechanically through fixed adjustments. The transport wheels' cylinder works in opposition to the wing cylinders. When pressure is applied to raise the wings, the transport wheels are lowered--Higher riding height. When pressure is released, the wings lower and the transports wheels raise to a preset deck cutting height. At least, that's the way it looks in photos.

New R2512

 

[RickB]

I think the cutting height is set mechanically through fixed adjustments. The transport wheels' cylinder works in opposition to the wing cylinders. When pressure is applied to raise the wings, the transport wheels are lowered--Higher riding height. When pressure is released, the wings lower and the transports wheels raise to a preset deck cutting height. At least, that's the way it looks in photos.

New R2512

Not that way at all. The wing cylinders don't change the deck height. They fold the wings from/to whatever deck height the lift cylinder is set at.

 

[Tinhack]

I didn't say they did. I said the deck MOWING height is set mechanically--Separate from raising or lowering the transport wheels. Look at the photos. The hydraulic lines on the wings are plumbed opposite to the transport wheels.

 

[Zebrafive]

Not that way at all. The wing cylinders don't change the deck height. They fold the wings from/to whatever deck height the lift cylinder is set at.

For the LandPride model Tinhack posted, one hydraulic line goes to all three cylinders.
You set mowing height with collars on the wheel cylinder's rod. When the Hydraulic valve activated, the wheels lift the mower to full height AND fold the wings up. Release the pressure and wings go down and height drops to setting of collars on the lift cylinder rod.

 

[Richard]

I agree with both reptiles.

Reptile eh? Well then, you're a crustacean! Take THAT!

 

[Tx Jim]

Reptile eh? Well then, you're a crustacean! Take THAT!

If you live long enough your typing skills & eyesight will probably fail similar to mine

 

[Richard]

Well, that and trying to type using claws with no opposing thumbs is its own challenge.

 

[KWentling]

I have the same mower. I run the wings separately like you want via the 2nd and 3rd remotes. Those 2 remotes need to have float positions. If you have the owners manual for the mower it shows a kit for the hoses and fittings to do this. I just bought hoses and fittings myself and installed them. Works perfect.

 

[RickB]

I didn't say they did. I said the deck MOWING height is set mechanically--Separate from raising or lowering the transport wheels. Look at the photos. The hydraulic lines on the wings are plumbed opposite to the transport wheels.

 

[bdog]

Thanks guys. I will stick with the gravity down and add a hose to separate the lift and wings. Should be easy enough.

 

[KWentling]

I guess I missed stating that I made all the cylinders double acting, so I have power down also.

 

[Tinhack]

Thanks guys. I will stick with the gravity down and add a hose to separate the lift and wings. Should be easy enough.

You may want to examine that more closely. If the wings aren't already at a gravity applying angle when up, they may not come down. Being now plumbed with the transport wheels, pressure from that cylinder may be aiding the wings to go "over center".

As KWentling states, he went with double acting cylinders for operator control rather than gravity. You may need to do the same. Check it out before you make changes to an "engineered" function. Just sayin'.

 

[KWentling]

Just to clarify, I took the vents out of the existing cylinders and ran hoses so they operate as double acting.

 

[bdog]

My problem is my wings don’t go down to well with gravity now. I guess the hinges are stiff? They have no grease fittings. You can easily pull them down by hand but they won’t drop on their own.