Buying Advice Hydraulic Connections on Kubota MX - what are they for?

[Dr G]

In the process of "building" a Kubota MX online, one of the options is for various hydraulic connections at the back of the tractor.

How does one know if they need any of these?

Specing a backhoe does not require the selection of any of these connections.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance. Gustave

 

[jeff9366]

Rear remote hydraulic ports are most frequently used to replace manual Top Link and right Lifting Rod adjustments at the rear of the tractor with hydraulic operation from the operator's station.

Top Link length, manual or hydraulic, changes fore and aft tilt on Three Point Hitch implements. (One pair)

Lifting Rod adjustment, manual or hydraulic, changes left or right tilt from neutral position on Three Point Hitch implements. Usual goal is to level an implement. (One Pair)

For Box Blade operation a third pair of rear remotes may be installed to raise and lower Box Blade scarifiers.

While there are myriad other functions for paired rear remotes above probably covers 80% of compact tractor applications.



For casual tractor operators nice to have rear remotes, not essential. Most of the time manual adjustments are made with the implement on the ground so no tension, or minimal tension, is on the Top Link and right Lifting Rod components.

For pros, power adjustments from operator's station increases productivity.

I am on my third tractor. My first two tractors did not have rear remotes. My current Kubota L3560, same weight as MX series, has one pair of rear remotes to raise and lower scarifiers on a TR3 rake. I use my open station tractor 250 to 300 engine hours per year.

 

[attract her]

As you know DG, it depends on what you hook up to it.
I run a rear-mounted snow-blower. The hydraulic control is to steer the snow-blower exit chute where you want it, so you don't have to get out of your heated cab, and crank the handle. It helps speed things up a little.

 

[Dr G]

OK, thanks gents. Another wrinkle in the decision making. I started to click on the options to see the cost, and that popped up windows with more options.

I think I'll try to sort this out with my sales person at the dealer.

Gustave

 

[attract her]

Your problem DG is you're just too darned sensible!

One question you might like to ask him/her/it, is of the attachments you're considering, what does that control do for each.

Independence Day
Next week.
Enjoy our celebration !

 

[ericm979]

Unlike regular spring centered valves, detent valves will stay on. They're useful if you want to run a hydraulic device that has its own valves, like a 3pt log splitter. Float valves have a float position like the loader valve. An example use would be a bank flail mower. The connection for the backhoe is usually it's own connection, often a loop of hose with quick connects it that you disconnect to plug the backhoe into the circuit. Though you can run it off a detent valve.

Top and tilt are both useful. I use tilt for box blading on a slope when I want to cut a different slope than what the tractor is on. It's also useful when attaching an implement. But it does need repositioning at times. I use the top link cylinder all the time- my barn has a short steep ramp on the exit and I use the top link to pull the 3pt chipper up so it won't scrape. It's also very useful for box blading- top link length changes the blade's angle of attack.

 

[Dr G]

Unlike regular spring centered valves, detent valves will stay on. They're useful if you want to run a hydraulic device that has its own valves, like a 3pt log splitter. Float valves have a float position like the loader valve. An example use would be a bank flail mower. The connection for the backhoe is usually it's own connection, often a loop of hose with quick connects it that you disconnect to plug the backhoe into the circuit. Though you can run it off a detent valve.

Top and tilt are both useful. I use tilt for box blading on a slope when I want to cut a different slope than what the tractor is on. It's also useful when attaching an implement. But it does need repositioning at times. I use the top link cylinder all the time- my barn has a short steep ramp on the exit and I use the top link to pull the 3pt chipper up so it won't scrape. It's also very useful for box blading- top link length changes the blade's angle of attack.

I am sort of gathering that the valves can be used in two ways (depending on type): (1) to power equipment attached to the 3-point or (2) to power hydraulic actuators which replace the struts on the 3-point mount so as to allow equipment to be repositioned. Is that the right idea?

 

[ericm979]

Regular selective control valves have three positions- center (off) and one on either side. When connected to a cylinder, one on position will move the cylinder rod in. Moving the valve past center to the other on will move it out. (there are also single acting cylinders that only go one way under power). You can use detent valves to move cylinders, there's just an extra position past one of the on positions where the valve stays on instead of springing back to off when the handle is released. If you're moving cylinders you'd want to avoid using the detent since it will deadhead the system when the cylinder reaches the end of it's travel.

Deadhead is when the hydraulic flow dead ends somewhere instead of flowing back to the tank. There's relief valves to keep things from breaking under the force but it's hard on the hydraulic oil and often keeps other valves from working. Momentary is ok, but not for long.

There are other things cylinders are used in besides top and tilt. For example to slide a side shift flail mower from side to side. Ditch bank mowers have two cylinders, one to set the angle of the mower and one to extend/retract it. I have three valves- two factory ones between the seat and fender that I use for top and tilt and a third dealer added valve on the fender which is currently used to operate a grapple attachment on the loader.

The factory valves are usually the cleanest installation as far as fitting on the tractor. They're often expensive though Branson's were not bad. The levers are next to the seat but they operate a linkage that goes to the actual valves on the back of the transmission case.

 

[Dr G]

OK, thank you Eric.