Adding Hydraulic Valve to Terramite

CarlL · Jun 22, 2011

I have decided to add a hydraulic circuit to my Terramite T9 for a grapple and maybe some other front hydraulic implements. Many people here seem to talk about solenoid operated selector valves off of the curl circuit. The Force America guy up the road recommended a DS SIX PORT TWO POSITION DOUBLE SELECTOR VALVE (DS-08-30) from Metro Machine and Engineering as seen in this catalog for the same purpose:

http://www.metromachine.com/Hydraulics/catalog.pdf

He said my cost would be about $85. The valve can either have a lever or a pull knob to divert flow from curl to accessory (grapple) circuit. The valve would be mounted to the lower part of the dash, about where Terramite mounts their factory 4in1 bucket lever. I would then use the side-to-side motion of the wobble stick to open and close the grapple, leaving the up and down motion of the wobble stick to raise and lower the bucket.

I have absolutely no knowledge in this area and was wondering what you experts thought of this? Once I figure out the valve, I am sure to have a lot more questions about the circuit.

J_J · Jun 22, 2011

Would you rather flip a switch and change flow from the curl circuit to the grapple circuits , and flip/pull another lever/knob while trying to operate the levers on the FEL? They mentioned a solenoid valve, that would do the same thing as the selector valves from Surplus Hydraulics. Whether you use a manual selector or an electric selector, is related to cost and your ability to operate said valves. Are you saying the electric valves are $85, or just the manual valves?

These valves have been used in the grapple circuits before.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-5117-A&catname=hydraulic

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-7852&catname=hydraulic

https://www.surpluscenter.com/Instruct/I9-7852.pdf

CarlL · Jun 22, 2011

What I was told was that the recommended valve does exactly the same thing as the solenoid operated valve, only at a lower price. Instead of "flipping a switch", I would just pull a knob or flip a lever. The operation of the grapple would be exactly the same whether I used the solenoid valve to divert the flow or the six way valve.

The difference would be that there would be no switch to buy and mount with the Metro valve, while one is required with the solenoid valve. Another difference is the Metro valve knob or lever would be dash mounted next to the wobble stick control. A solenoid switch could be mounted on, or replacing the knob, of the wobble stick. However, since this one stick controls all of the front bucket movement, I am a little nervous about adding a switch that might be pressed in error.

Any more info would be appreciated.

J_J · Jun 22, 2011

Using the solenoid valve, you only have to add a thumb switch on the knob, and use the curl and lift levers normally. When you want to use the grapple, you press the switch and the grapple is now operational using the curl circuit. Release the switch, and you are back to curl.

I am thinking you will like that better than a manual push/pull knob.

Gordon Gould · Jun 23, 2011

Here is another way to do it. Add a separate spool valve and a lever to control the grapple.

ak9 · Jun 26, 2011

carl
I used to own a terramite and if I remember correctly mine did not have" real alternator" as mine was a 2cyl. gas 22hp (stator) . This made running electric acc. limited. I don't know if yours is powered the same way?
If you store your machine out side the ele scv & switches would need to be weather tight type. vs. the mech. diverter not as fragile.
MHO is keep it as simple as you can & on this machine I would use a mech. diverter to power the grapple
ak9