Hydraulic pressure gauges- How to add one to a tractor?

[gordon21]

Has anyone added a hydraulic pressure gauge as a permanent accessory?

Since my knowledhge of hydraulics is virtually nonexistant, I have several questions.

Would the pressure fluctuate while using the FEL?
Is this even a worthwhile project?
Cost?
Could the gauge be mounted on the dash area and have lines run to it?
Advantages to having one/
Do big tractors over 60HP have them?

 

[shaley]

Has anyone added a hydraulic pressure gauge as a permanent accessory?

Since my knowledhge of hydraulics is virtually nonexistant, I have several questions.

Would the pressure fluctuate while using the FEL?
Is this even a worthwhile project?
Cost?
Could the gauge be mounted on the dash area and have lines run to it?
Advantages to having one/
Do big tractors over 60HP have them?

Lets see.
Yes
No
$15
Yes
None
Some

Wise guy aint I.
But seriously
You can just purchase one on-line for about $15 and screw it into a male QD and plug it into your remote and get a reading to check the relief valve setting.
Oh, Where is Lake Lure?

 

[gordon21]

Western NC about 30 minutes from Asheville. It is a man made lake w/power dam dating back to 1927. Steep mountains surround the lake. There are places where there is a 500' rise in elevation less than 2/10 of a mile from the shore. The movie Dirty Dancing and the waterfall scene from the last Mohican was filmed here.

Thanks for the answers, but now I have another question. If I attach a gauge to only one QD fitting, won't that cause pump damage with no completion of the fluid circuit? I have the JD power beyond system where I could easily attach the gauge on a temporary basis.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Why worry about what your hyd. pressure is? Run it and forget it. If at some point you feel there is a problem then check it.

 

[dirtworksequip]

I would be more worried about hydro trans temperature.

 

[gordon21]

Confession time.

I want to add some shims to the Hyd pump but am afraid to do this without knowing the actual results of each shim as I go. Threads from a few months ago warn not to go much above 2500 PSI from the factory setting of 2050. I asked the dealers mechanic and he agreed there would be no harm in 2500PSI, but to get my checkbook ready if I ran it hard with a 3000PSI setting. This is sanctioned in theory by JD because they have the shim kit as an authorized part. He assisted me in getting the right shim kit ordered.

This is why I want a gauge and to know the new pressure as each shim gets added.

 

[dirtworksequip]

I think your asking for trouble turning up the pressure on the pump. I can just see the parts flying now! Failed hoses, o-rings and ripping the floor out of your hoe bucket. Get a bigger machine if you want more power. Don't over tax the one you have now.

 

[TCBoomer]

Putting a gauge deadheaded on a QD fitting would have the same effect as having nothing connected to the fitting.

If you want to check and adjust the relief pressure, just install the gauge at a QD fitting and then remove it when your done.

 

[dirtworksequip]

A company that I just recently worked for turnes up the hyd. pumps on their Cat 777 dump trucks (rated 100 ton load) to the max. pressure as per CATERPILLAR spec. so they can easily dump a 120 ton load. They get about 1 year out of a hyd.pump. But thats the price of doing business. So, have fun! Its your money.

 

[JerryG]

I had a gauge mounted on my last tractor. I haven't installed it on the tractor I have now. When you check the pressure , you may be surprised to find out that it is below the recommend setting. A couple of years ago, a member on TBN loaned his gauge setup out to other members. It was shipped around the country for what I would guess was about a year. A large percentage of the members that used it found out that their pressure was low.