Hydraulic accumulators...

[5030]

My ultimate goal is less hard bounce when transporting round bales from the field and loading them on to trailers as well as roading when bumps in the road cause the loader to jump even when not loaded. Not sure if I'll bracket it to loader or just let it hang on the hydraulic hoses. Roads around here aren't that smooth, typical Michigan secondary roads. It will be a spring time install no matter what so it's a couple months out which will give me ample time to collect all the components like hoses and fittings.

 

[jonsstihl]

piston or bladder types make a difference too. you are not supposed to bottom out a bladder type and piston types are sometimes rebuildable. usually you install them vertically with the fitting at the bottom so that any debris in the system does not wear out the seals constantly

I have two on the loader, one set to dampen unloaded (that one bottoms out when loaded) and one set to dampen when close to full capacity. then I have one on my 3 pt hitch all are piston type.
I used a gauge to get the hydraulic system pressures before buying the accumulators and talked to a hydraulic shop that does a lot of these and discussed the charge settings. it is a certain percentage of the hydraulic system that is the ideal charge setting. If you do the math I end up somewhere around 60% of the working pressure as a charge setting when loaded. except for the max load because I wouldn't really go far with a max load in the loader so I set the system with teh most common load which would be a bucket full of material.


my empty loader pressures are 500psi no bucket, 700PSI with empty bucket, grapple empty is 800, bucket full of damp dirt 1200 forks empty 600PSI and my max lift pressure is 2400PSI. I know My pump is a little weak but thats all she's got in her. For now the pump replacement is on the back burner. it still works well and hasn't gotten worse.

loader accumulator charged at 300psi and 800 psi. works great,
3pt set to 700psi works well with my 1200 lbs blower, has maybe just a little too much bounce maybe I would try 800 next time.

these are settings on a grand L4740 with a la854 loader and they seem to work well with my attachments. definitely a great mod makes the ride a lot smoother even though I don't road my tractor often I do have a lot of trails in the woods.

 

[5030]

Bladder accumulators are also rebuildable, You replace the bladder via the top fitting. I'd lean towards the bladder type simply for the simplicity.

 

[hayden]

Do you guys have on/off valves installed so you can turn the suspension on and off? The bigger Deere tractors all have this as an option including a control switch in the cab.

 

[ptsg]

Do you guys have on/off valves installed so you can turn the suspension on and off? The bigger Deere tractors all have this as an option including a control switch in the cab.

I have a ball valve on mine, rated for hydraulic pressure. Since I mounted mine, more or less under the control valve, I can easily access the ball valve to turn on/off as needed.

 

[Smokeydog]

Do you guys have on/off valves installed so you can turn the suspension on and off? The bigger Deere tractors all have this as an option including a control switch in the cab.

Ball valve below the gauge.

 

[jonsstihl]

Ball valve for both of mine. I would have loved to go with an electric solenoid valve and a switch in the cab but that added complexity in wiring especially since my loader is quick attach and I do remove it sometimes.
for your info , I have not shut them off since I installed them.


If you do go with a dual set up on the loader with one set up for unloaded conditions you really should go with the piston type. the bladders get cut on the valve when they bottom out and the low load charged accumulator will always bottom out with a load. I think some bladder types can be bottomed out but I doubt the cheap ones are designed like that. I would rather disassemble a piston type and change seals than try to stuff a bladder through the fitting hole. I have never done that but it doesn't sound like fun.

 

[screamin400]

I am running 900 psi in my 3 pt hitch with a 2k blower that sticks back quite a ways. I notice a little more bounce when the blower is encrusted in snow. I would guess an additional 3-400 pounds. With NY roads the way they are it rides great. Just slowly goes up and down. I also have a shut off inline but have never used it.