1957 JD 520 Powertrol

[DonWorrell]

Please help me understand how this works and what it exactly does?

Don

 

[beenthere]

Others may also be trying to figure out a little more about what you are asking.

Can you fill us in a bit more on the details?

As I remember, there is a lever that stays in neutral, forward to get one direction, and back for the other direction. Two couplings for a 2-way hyd. cylinder. How close am I?

 

[DonWorrell]

Others may also be trying to figure out a little more about what you are asking.

Can you fill us in a bit more on the details?

As I remember, there is a lever that stays in neutral, forward to get one direction, and back for the other direction. Two couplings for a 2-way hyd. cylinder. How close am I?

Very correct on the operation. But I am wondering if there is anyway to have two leaver which work indepedent of each othrr. I want one pump but two hydraulic units. I have read about a Baker Valve but don't know if that would work either.

Here is my problem I have a peice of equipment that require two seperate hydraulic pistions that work indepent of each other.

I realize I am asking a 53 year old tractor to work like a new model. But harm in trying.

Don

 

[Farmerford]

I have experience (ancient) with a JD "B", which is the forerunner of the 520 and I think its system is similar. Control lever on the right side of the seat with two hydraulic ports on the rear above the PTO shaft, with plugs that are kept in with a twist lever. I think the control lever has a pressure detent so when moved to the full up position it will stay there until the pressure in the system builds to near the maximum; then it springs back to neutral.

The pressure will be lower than modern systems, probably in the range of 1,000psi to 1,500psi.

If you connect an open center, two spool, three position (or four position if you want float), four way directional control valve to the hydraulic ports at the rear of the tractor and then tie the control lever (by the seat) all the way forward, hydraulic fluid should flow through the in and out ports of the directional control valve, and you can then independently control two hydraulic devices (cylinders) with the directional control valve.


Just about every tractor manufacturer had its own design of quick disconnect coupler in those days, so you may not be able to use a standard disconnect, but hose end male connectors for those old tractors are generally available.

 

[grnspot110]

Pretty big IF, but if you could find one (possibly at a salvage yard), dual remote hydraulics were an option on the 520's! I think it should bolt right up to any 520, then you would have two levers, one outside the other. Might be hard to find! ~~ grnspot110

 

[TravisTractor]

are you sure that model is not closed center hydraulic?

 

[rScotty]

are you sure that model is not closed center hydraulic?

No, not closed center yet. All the old ones up through the '30 series have simple open center hydraulics. We've had an old 1958 model 530 for 20 years now as our backup tractor. Darn thing is the most reliable tractor I've ever seen, operated, or owned in spite of having so many hours that the hourmeter wore out and had to be replaced. It was used for a decade as a stationary irrigation engine, so estimates on the hours from the old boy I got it from were; "gotta be over 10,000 at least". It is just amazing to see it start immediately at -20. As a backup tractor is would be hard to beat as it will do just about anything. It has the old original loader, a really great cat. II 3pt, wide front, and dual remotes.
r_Scotty

 

[texasjetman]

Good info on this post, I have a 1958 late model 520 single pair of remotes, always wondered if that dual was possible, Would like to see that 30 series with 10,000+++ hours on it, post a picture ScottR

 

[rScotty]

Good info on this post, I have a 1958 late model 520 single pair of remotes, always wondered if that dual was possible, Would like to see that 30 series with 10,000+++ hours on it, post a picture ScottR

Hope you are as satisfied with the 520 as I am with the 530. One of the things that makes it good is the heavy duty cat II 3pt. Same one was used on the larger '30 series, so the 3pt and hydraulics are super.
In fact, there isn't much a brand new tractor will do that this one won't and it is quieter while doing it too. I'll admit that loader work is a pain with that shifter, but at least the seat is comfortable. Both of those because it was designed as a field tractor and not a utility.

These pictures are from before I got the dual hydraulics from a Green Magazine vender. I wonder if JD still sells that option? The wide front if from a much older two cylinder and bolted right up. Some years later we had added the #46 quick change loader. It bolted right up too! It's just amazing just how interchangeable those old two cylinder parts are.

Here's some pictures from ten or 15 years ago. Looking at them reminds me just how many changes this tractor has been through. Wish I had some really old pictures. Seems like every time I look at some part of that old tractor I realize I've done something or other too it. Hope you post some of the 520.
rScotty

 

[Hilts4]

You can also use an A/B valve or port replicable. I believe that Fasse Valve has a 12 volt unit.