Adding "The Thumb" to Davis 102 Loader

[Last Chance]

So I ordered up a small "Thumb" from Ebay. As far as adding another spool valve for it, my loader being a Davis 102 has two levers on the hydraulic controls, and is fed via a Cesna 20 GPM pump on the front of the tractor. When I add this thing, do I just put it in line after the loader controls, and run a return line to one of the "bungs" on the hydraulic tank? The control "blocK" that is there has a large NPT plug in either side, could I take hydraulic pressure from there? I'm a little lost here. I thought about just putting the valve in line ahead of the loader controls, as you would not move the thumb at the same time as the loader.

Thanks.

 

[J_J]

You would be better off with a PB out port on the FEL valve.

Match the valve flow with pump flow.

However if you do not have a PB out on the FEL, and you will not be using both valves together, then just add a hose from the OUT port on the FEL valve to the IN port of the new valve, and run the OUT hose to a return hose or tank.

If your new valve has a relief valve, set it the same as the FEL relief. Depending of hyd flow of 20 GPM's, you might need to reduce the flow using a hyd needle valve and adjust it to your satisfaction.

You could also add a diverter valve to the loader valve and push a button for grapple. You still need to reduce the flow.

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

A 3ed function valve would work also after the FEL.

 

[Last Chance]

I currently have a diverter valve on the tractor for an old BH that is no longer there. The thumb comes with a hydraulic flow reducer, so I imagine that is fine:

NEW Bucket Thumb Grapple FOR Skid Steer Loader Tractor | eBay

As far as identifying power beyond, I'll take a picture of my FEL valve block and post it here. It has a very large 1" NPT Allen keyed plug on either side, maybe that's where you would take it from?

I'll take some pics and post them.

 

[J_J]

A FEL valve with PB and with two spools will have 7 hoses.

Hoses

1-in port
2-out port
3-4 first spool two work ports
5-6 second spool two work ports
7-PB port

There may be additional plugged ports, but they are duplicates.

There may be letters on the ports to identify each.

 

[Last Chance]

Ok. So assuming I have PB, I just get myself a spool with the same flow rating (20GPM), plumb this thing in out of the PB hole, get my local hydro shop to whip up some hoses, and tie into a return line, and either open a can of worms or never get off my arse to lift up brush again.

BTW, anyone looking at this unit, it just showed up on my doorstep today. For $348, I couldn't build one. Looks good.

I will post pics of my FEL valve if I can't ID the PB block.