Hunting a Unicorn loader valve

Jet A Ranch · Mar 31, 2019

Hey guys,

Just joined up to try and tap into some crowd wisdom. I recently purchased a MF 5465 from an estate auction and then found a MF DL280 loader to slap on it. Simple stuff until it seemed like no one could put together the hydraulic set up for it. Including countless MF dealers. The last dealer gave up on a MF setup and went to Whole goods for a bush hog kit. After the tractor sat in their shop for 2.5 months they gave up and said come get your tractor, we cann’t get the parts for it. I finally managed to get a FEL valve part number from AGCO answers, but I’m not sure it’s the correct part either. It says it’s a manifold, not a valve. Not sure what the difference is, but for over $1,000 I’m not willing to risk it.

I suppose my question is really, does it matter what valve I put on the tractor as long as it meets the specs of the tractor and loader? The tractor is a cab unit and I will use a cable joystick. Also, does it matter where the valve is located? I noticed on agcopartsbook that there are several kits available for the 5400 series tractors but all show rear mounted. My New Holland TL90 has the FEL valve mounted just forward of the cab. Does it make any difference where the valve is mounted?

Ultimately, I am going to have a professional mount all this stuff up....if I can find one. I am just not sure if the dealers are simply using OEM sold products and cannot find a simple solution or is this tractor/loader combo a true UNICORN!

Any suggestions would be helpful. Obviously I’m no tractor hydraulics expert, but this seems like it should be a simple issue to solve all other evidence to the contrary.

aczlan · Mar 31, 2019

Valve location is not critical, it just depends on where it's easier to plumb it.
Personally I would look at Surplus Center for valves, the first thing you're going to need to know however is if your hydraulic system is Open Center or Closed Center and how many gallons per minute flow it has.
Looking at Tractor Data, it looks like both were possible depending on how the tractor was ordered and the flow could be 15-29 gallons per minute (GPM).

Surplus Center (surpluscenter.com) carries valves that should work and can be set up as cable valves (Prince RD5000 series valves, cable joystick and cables). The joystick is around $200, a 2 port 25 GPM valve is around $215 and they also carry cable kits of varying lengths.
The valve comes as a Open Center valve and they sell a kit to convert it to a Closed Center valve.

Aaron Z

Jet A Ranch · Mar 31, 2019

aczlan said:
Valve location is not critical, it just depends on where it's easier to plumb it.
Personally I would look at Surplus Center for valves, the first thing you're going to need to know however is if your hydraulic system is Open Center or Closed Center and how many gallons per minute flow it has.
Looking at Tractor Data, it looks like both were possible depending on how the tractor was ordered and the flow could be 15-29 gallons per minute (GPM).

Surplus Center (surpluscenter.com) carries valves that should work and can be set up as cable valves (Prince RD5000 series valves, cable joystick and cables). The joystick is around $200, a 2 port 25 GPM valve is around $215 and they also carry cable kits of varying lengths.
The valve comes as a Open Center valve and they sell a kit to convert it to a Closed Center valve.

Aaron Z

Thanks Aaron, that痴 what I figured. I知 sure the red machine dosent care if a green or any other color part was routing fluid the fluid as long as it could keep up. To your point regarding what system is actually on the tractor....great question. In fact Friday, I posed that same question to Agco answers with the serial number of the tractor so they could look up how it was sold to the original buyer. Hopefully they will get back to me soon with an answer so I can proceed.

aczlan · Mar 31, 2019

Now that I am back on my computer, some links:
25 GPM max Valve ($253): 2 Spool 25 GPM Prince RD526GCGA5A4B1 OC Valve w/Float | Directional Control Valves | Hydraulic Valves | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com
Closed Center adapter plug ($17): Closed Center Plug Prince RD5 Valves 665 | Prince Mfg | Brands | www.surpluscenter.com
Power Beyond adapter ($21): SAE 12 Power Beyond Sleeve Prince 668 | Valve Parts & Accessories | Hydraulic Valves | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com
Cable joystick with switch for grapple ($248): Joystick Controller Lever w/ SPST Switch | Valve Parts & Accessories | Hydraulic Valves | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com
Cable joystick, no switch ($141): Joystick Controller Lever | Valve Parts & Accessories | Hydraulic Valves | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com
Cable 59" long ($51, 2 needed): https://www.surpluscenter.com/Brands/Prince-Mfg/59-Remote-Control-Cable-9-6705-59.axd
Cable to valve adapter ($40, 2 needed): https://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydra...ve-Connection-Kit-RD5000-Series-9-6706-RD.axd

Aaron Z

CADplans · Mar 31, 2019

Rather than a tractor dealer,, I would take the tractor to a hydraulics shop,,
they would understand the needs of the system FAR better than a wrench turner in the back of the tractor seller's showroom,,,

I have at least 4 great hydraulics shops near po-dunk Roanoke,,, I would imagine a larger city would have a dozen or more shops.

Get it done RIGHT,, or you will suffer with poor performance, and leaks for the entire time you have the tractor.

Jet A Ranch · Mar 31, 2019

Cadplans....I think you’re correct regarding a hydraulics shop. While, I don’t live near any “big” towns there is a hydraulic shop in the nearest town. I pinged them on FB yesterday and they think they can help. I will find out tomorrow and report back.

Jet A Ranch · Mar 31, 2019

CADplans said:
Rather than a tractor dealer,, I would take the tractor to a hydraulics shop,,
they would understand the needs of the system FAR better than a wrench turner in the back of the tractor seller's showroom,,,

I have at least 4 great hydraulics shops near po-dunk Roanoke,,, I would imagine a larger city would have a dozen or more shops.

Get it done RIGHT,, or you will suffer with poor performance, and leaks for the entire time you have the tractor.

By the way, I have been to Roanoke many times and never a bad time.

jeepcj7 · Apr 1, 2019

You will need to know 3 things to match a valve to the tractor - then use what ever valve set up works for you.

1. does the tractor have a open center, closed center or pressure flow compensated (PFC) hydraulic system
2. what is the relief pressure of the tractor hydraulic system
3. what is the oil flow of the tractor hydraulic system

Jet A Ranch · Apr 1, 2019

jeepcj7 said:
You will need to know 3 things to match a valve to the tractor - then use what ever valve set up works for you.

1. does the tractor have a open center, closed center or pressure flow compensated (PFC) hydraulic system
2. what is the relief pressure of the tractor hydraulic system
3. what is the oil flow of the tractor hydraulic system

Just got the build sheet for the tractor. It has an open center system with 15 gpm. Not sure of the pressure relief #. It has three OC Spools designated as DA FD KO FL + SA/DA ZL NF + SA/DA.

While I have no idea what those letters designate, since the tractor has three rear remotes, I assume those are them.

/pine · Apr 1, 2019

Jet A Ranch said:
Just got the build sheet for the tractor. It has an open center system with 13 gpm. Not sure of the pressure relief #. It has three OC Spools designated as DA FD KO FL + SA/DA ZL NF + SA/DA.

While I have no idea what those letters designate, since the tractor has three rear remotes, I assume those are them.