Front hydraulics?

[treesmith]

I am interested in installing front hydraulics on my Kubota L4240. I want the capability to use a brush grapple, or at least mount a thumb on my bucket. I don't have rear remotes, so I will have to do some rigging to get flow of hydraulics. My question is, how/where do I tap in to the system? I know it can be done, I just don't want to mess something up doing it wrong the first time. There are two attachment points on the bottom of my loader valve bank that I THINK will get me into the flow. Anyone here done this before? Any advice/suggestions? Pics of attachment point would be greatly appreciatied.

Before anyone suggests it, I am not interested in taking it back to the dealer for "Dealer Installation". I purchased a Case JX1070C from the same dealer several years ago, and the "Facotry-Trained techs" mounted the loader control joystick incorrectly. I had to disassemble/remove it and reinstall it for it to work correctly. I am going to do this myself, as I get the time and parts.

While I'm begging advice, I've got another question. Most self-leveling loaders do so through the use of linkage of some sort. As the loader raises, the rods/bars etc. allow the bucket to tip forward. However, I saw one many years ago that had been modified by the use of "T" fittings installed in the lines that performed the same feat by merely transferring the fluid from the lift cylinders to the tilt cylinders. Does anyone know exactly how this should be configured? I think I remember the basic layout, but I'm not about to start modifying my lines until I'm certain I've got it right.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Charlesaf3]

wr long makes a kit I think - you might check that for ideas at least. Diverts ?curl? flow. Thats how my m59 is set up factory. THink my leveling is hydraulically balanced as well.

ON b3030, a hose was run from rear remote to front with cable ties. Not as neat as the joystick button type, but gets the job done fine and gives a rear remote as well

 

[countrybumpkin]

It's really not a big deal to do, are you wanting to add a electric type of valve so you can have a switch on your loader handle or are you wanting to add a manual valve? Also you can go about this two ways either a diverter valve or a full function third valve. As mentioned above W R Long makes both styles of kits depending on what your after, I've never used one but they are supposed to be bolt on system with everything you need for your tractor.

Valve Kits

Or you can source the parts yourself, like I did.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/148280-thoughts-selector-valve.html

I'm getting ready to do a post on the install

On your loader valve you have a high pressure hose coming IN, a high pressure hose going out (call power beyond) and feeding you 3 point hitch, and then a low pressure return to tank hose. The other four hoses of course go to the cylinders of your loader.

With a full function third valve you take the Power beyond hose lose from were it connects back to the tractor and run it to the new valve, then have a new hose run from the new valve back to the tractor were the power beyond hose was. then run your cylinder hoses to the front from the new valve.

Or you can use the diverter style this simply "Diverts" the flow of fluid from one of the loader functions to the grapple or what ever when you press a button. whit this system you select either the grapple or say the bucket curl function (if that's the loader function you use) but you can't do both at the same time.

 

[J_J]

treesmith,

One ways to go, is a diverter valve, that shifts the output from say the curl cyl, to the grapple cylinders. If your current valve is a joystick valve, then with switch in primary position , the curl works normally. With the switch in the grapple mode, the left and right on the joystick now controls the grapple. When in the grapple position, if you push the joystick to the 10 o-clock position, both the bucket and the grapple will close. That is if you position the hoses correctly. Left is up, and right is down.

The other way is you have to install a PB sleeve in the current valve and run a hose to the input of the grapple valve, and run both returns to tank. That set up will take two hands to operate, or by shifting hand to the other valve.

Another way, is valve is a 12 v electric valve, also connected to the PB outlet, then a switch on the joystick valve would open and close the grapple. Which ever valve is operated first will work, but the main valve will have priority.

 

[treesmith]

J J, what exactly is a diverter valve and where would it mount? Would it provide a switch on my joystick?

What is a PB sleeve and where would it install?

Where would a 12v valve mount, and would it provide flow at the same time the joystick is in use?

I thought about mounting a lever below the seat to be foot-operated since the grapple will not be a full-time attachment.

If it were your project, which approach would you take?

 

[countrybumpkin]

Both the diverter and the full function third valve are described on the w r long site.

Both are electric and both would have a switch on the joy stick. As for using all three functions two for the loader and third for the grapple at the same time, only limiting factor is the GPM of your tractor, The higher the GPM the better they will work at the same time.

 

[J_J]

treesmith .

Can you take some pictures of your valve. Look on the valve, and see if there is a port that is capped off. or a port that has PB stamped on it. If it has this port, then a PB sleeve or fitting will screw into that port and give you Power Beyond, which will allow fluid to pass through that valve and go to another valve.

The link below will show a selector/diverter valve. This valve can be mounted in a convenient location. preferably close to the FEL valve. The curl cylinder hose and the grapple hose connect this valve, and you run new hose to the input of the valve. Normal mode works like the joystick is supposed to work. When you flip the switch, latch or momentary, the fluid is routed to the grapple cylinder.

It really is a choice of how much you want to spend, and your ability to hook everything up.

Hydraulic Cylinder Components, Products

valve #280-166 Bottom of page.

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN Treesmith

Everything you are asking has been discussed 100's of times before...Please do a search on these terms for HOURS of reading, then ask some specific questions if you still have them.

diverter
3rd function
grapple
4n1
WR Long
remote


I am not blowing you off, but there is such great info in those older posts that it would be very beneficial for you to read them.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Have the WR Long valve kit on the L3130 for grapple and brush bucket. It works good and they should have a similar kit for the 40 series, took a few hours to install and nothing complicated.

David Kb7uns

 

[J_J]

Kennyd,

Although most of what you say is true, I don't think that everyone needs to go back through the complete forum on hydraulics, and 60 hours later post new questions. Some people might like that, and some will not. However, we all learn by doing. seeing and reading.