Bobcat CT2040 backhoe and 3rd function

[heavyhammer]

Hi everyone,

I have been looking through the forum here, but there is a lot to search through. I purchased a Bobcat CT2040 with FL8 Loader last year and the BH76 backhoe attachment. I opted to install the backhoe myself to save some money, but I am not a hydraulic or diesel mechanic. Despite my inexperience, I got the backhoe hooked up without a hitch and have been using it to clear my land. I now want to add a front grapple and plan to purchase the Summit hydraulics 3rd function kit and install it myself. Problem is, it appears to me that it uses the same connection points as my backhoe hoses. I know that the tractor will support a backhoe and a 3rd function because I have seen a CT2025 outfitted like this. I went to my local bobcat dealer and asked about how this would be accomplished, but they weren't very helpful. They stated the 3rd function hoses attaches completely separate of the backhoe hoses, and quoted me the Bobcat 3rd function kit plus installation costs. I'd prefer to do it myself as the Summit kit is $400 less and my labor is free. I have attached a few pages from the instruction manual for the backhoe as well as the Summit 3rd function kit and they definitely appear to be the same connecting points.

So my question is, is there some special fitting I need to make this work? Or do I need the Bobcat brand 3rd function kit? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ss4010]

To get to the gist of your question... There are no special unique fittings or items in the Bobcat kit. The main advantage would be that everything is sized just right, and there will be instructions. Many here have used various vendor kits (or created their own).

Most tractors use open center hydraulics. For open center hydraulics, the pump runs all the time pushing fluid through a pressure line that flows back to the reservoir (tank). When a control lever or solenoid is activated, the fluid flows into the circuit, creating movement. The opposite side of a cylinder, in this case, would be open to another line that flows back to the tank. You may find markings P or T at various points indicating which line.

Keep in mind that everything is in series in an open-center configuration. So if you activate a circuit closer to the pump, none of the circuits further from the pump will have pressure available.




[Reservoir]
↓
[Hydraulic Pump]
↓
[Main Control Valve Block]
├─► [Lift Cylinder] (e.g. loader arms)
├─► [Tilt Cylinder] (e.g. bucket tilt)
│
└─► [Auxiliary Hydraulic Circuit]
↓
[Quick Couplers] ─► [Attachment (e.g. auger, snowblower)]
↓
[Return Line] ─────►
↓
[Third-Function Valve] (optional – added to control additional hydraulic function)
↓
[Attachment Actuator (e.g. grapple arm)]
↓
[Return Line]
↓
[Reservoir]