Compact valve gpm?

[RyanL]

Hi, im building a forklift and have been thinking bout mounting a compact valve from a john deere 318-430 in the dash tower for a cleaner look. Rather than a big spool valve out in open. My question is will this valve flow enough? I dnt need super fast but dnt want it to take 5 min to raise mast. Im already goin be using the compact steering valve from a 318.

 

[RyanL]

Well guys i jumped the gun i think and posted before doin much research. The valve from a deere 430 garden tractor is a dukes fluid power model 1637 i think. I looked the specs up for this and it says up to 10gpm and 3000psi. So i think this will work.

 

[wdchyd]

Ryan, you have to be concerned with the flow rate in the pressure line feeding that circuit from the pump..

If the flow rate is too much then you'll have too much resistance in the core of the valve possibly resulting in prematurely wearing out your pump....(assuming it's an open center flow)

Best to size the control valve to the greatest flow your valve will encounter, (to include flow into valve and return flow coming out of the retracting lift cylinder)

 

[J_J]

What is the engine HP that you are considering?

Do you have a pump selected for the engine?

 

[RyanL]

It is a ford 1700 tractor, the factory engine driven pump. I have no specs on pump

 

[J_J]

It says 5.8 gal, but that might be the tank capacity, or flow.

TractorData.com Ford 1700 tractor information

That valve flow should be OK. Do yo need PB, or do you have another valve downstream.

If you can pump 10 GPM's at 2500 psi, it will take about 17 HP.

If you used all the tractor HP to turn the pump at 2500 psi, it would take all of your 25 HP to pump 14.5 GPM's

 

[DiskDoctr]

I suggest you also consider installing check valves on the lift cylinder(s). In a line failure it could be quite dangerous.

You can also check Craigs List. Sometimes they sell the mast and such. Or a blown up forktruck in the junkyard

- JC