Adding Hydraulic Side Links

[3RRL]

Looks fantastic ! But I'd expect no less. I'll be content when i do my remote install if it comes out half as professional looking. Just curious...... do you have a crimper to make your own hydraulic hoses? Or did you actually measure, then order them over the phone and have them the correct length the first time? I've had hoses made in the $90 range (obviously much longer)... so it wouldn't take much mis measuring to waste alot of money.

Nice work Rob ! Now we need some action pictures.

Ductape my buddy....Hahaha action pictures yes. I forgot all about taking a video. The wife and I were Dove hunting in between this installation so we were anxious to get out in the field.

As far as the hoses, here's what I did. I measured (best I could) how long each hose run needed to be and wrote that down. I also made a note of what kind of fitting either end needed so that length and fitting end were for that hose only. Then I looked up either at Surplus Center or Agri-Supply for the least expensive hose that would work, being the correct length too. So on MOST of the connections, I went with Agri-Supply and figured on cutting off one end only to have the special fitting put on, and the other remaining the swivel male NPT. I got connector fittings to go from NPT to whatever and save a ton on making hoses up. I have a hydraulic store who then crimps on the other end for the JIC, Metric or SAE as needed. Many hoses I bought long enough (figured it out in advance) so that when I cut them on my abrasive wheel it made two hoses...each needing only one end put on, reducing waste.
Hope that helps.

 

[MadReferee]

The best way to measure for hoses is to get an old garden hose and use it as a template. It can be routed easily to find the final resting position and cut to the desired length. Measure the length and determine your end fittings. I always have my hoses made with swivel ends of the desired type. It makes installing them much easier.

Once you have the proper length and end fittings determined, call Discount Hydraulic Hose and order the hoses. They have supplied several of us here and give good service. Mention TBN when you talk to them as they are quite aware we exist.

Make sure that you get 2-wire hoses (aka R2). You will probably use either 1/4" or 3/8" hose. STAY AWAY FROM ANY 1-WIRE HOSE purchased from places like TSC, Surplus Center, and others. They are not as strong and will not last as long or take much abuse.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[3RRL]

Hi,
I know there was some concern about the clearance of the clevis ends on the hydraulic cylinders when severely tilted. I realized I had not posted any photos of the box blade mounted but only with the lower arms extended and retracted. This weekend I was able to take a few pictures so you could see the amount of tilt I can get on the box blade and no binding in the clevis mounts.

Here is the first one.

 

[3RRL]

The tilt is very important to me because during the rainy season, I am always cutting and cleaning the gutters on my dirt road. It is not surfaced and without proper gutter drainage, I get a lot of wash out ruts.

It tilts the same in both directions. Surprisingly, the big cylinders react faster than lowering or raising the 3 point. I purposely bought 8" travel cylinders so that I could press down the corner I am cutting with, if I want to get a deep gutter or groove. With the cylinder nearing full extension, I can actually pick up the rear tire of the tractor. Finding this out also makes me feel better about the clearance machining I did on the upper lift arms. They did not break in this test and I only intend to use this feature when the ground is soft and soaked.
Here is another photo of the tilt.

 

[3RRL]

Right now the ground is hard as a rock so I had to take it easy. I spent a few hours running up and down the round to "crown" the road and scrape some of the loose dirt and rocks off. This photo shows how I cut the gutters before the rains. Water finds the path of least resistance and the small gutter helps channel the run-off to the nearest culvert. As the road softens up, I will re- cut them as needed.

 

[3RRL]

One thing I found was very useful with the tilt cylinders. Instead of raising and lowering the 3pt to modify grading the road or a cut in the gutters, I found I could more easily...and with more control...use the hydraulic cylinders by extending or retracting them individually. They responded faster and more accurately. I set the position control on the 3pt so the box blade was several inches off the ground and then lowered each cylinder until I got the desired cut...either level or tilted. The only time I had to use the 3pt was to raise the box blade high.

Here is a video (as Ductape requested) showing the movements I can get with the box blade and the new side tilt cylinders. It may take a bit to download, but it's worth looking at. I can operate one valve lever at a time while looking over my shoulder no problem. They are the levers that used to control the old rear remote valve and are on the left floorboard.

So if you're wondering about why I bent over, it is because I tried to get them to move at the same time. My levers have so much "throw" I couldn't move them fully at the same time without doing that. But moving each lever separately does not require bending over. Otherwise it would be worthless.
Pretty cool huh?
Thanks,...

 

[jinman]

Very nice Rob! All you need is music for that waltz.

But can it slice-n-dice for just $19.95?

 

[Ductape]

Nice ! Its almost as though someone fifty years ago wanted every three point hitch to have two tilt cylinders....... why else would they have made it have so much movement??!! In my defense..... i really only asked for action photos..... like crowning your road, BUT..... video is always better !

Once again, great modification !

 

[texasjohn]

Soooo Sweeeetttt!!! I'm green with ENVY I want one, too!!!

Love the video!!!

I hope some day to do what you did... but there are about 1000 things keeping me from starting right now... tools, skill, understanding...

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Very nice. My complements to your ingenuity and execution.