Hydraulic Squid -- Electric powered 3rd function hydraulics

[galstaf]

Has anyone ever installed and used one of these? Just curious to see how well it works.

The Hydraulic Squid

 

[galstaf]

 

[Industrial Toys]

You have a capable hydraulic system, and now you are messing around with a 12 volt pump? Seems kind of like four steps back.

 

[galstaf]

Don't get me wrong.. I already have 3rd function on my tractor. I was looking at this for another application. There is very little info online about it and one very short youtube vid of it in use.
Just wanted some of the hydraulic pros on TBN to throw in their opinion. Even better.. someone that has one or has used it!

 

[galstaf]

I did find this article, but it seems more like an ad than a critical look at the capabilities. No specifications available that I have found yet..

FARM SHOW Magazine - The BEST stories about Made-It-Myself Shop Inventions, Farming and Gardening Tips, Time-saving Tricks & the Best Farm Shop Hacks, DIY Farm Projects, Tips on Boosting your farm income, time-saving farming advice, farming tractors


2018 - Volume #42, Issue #2, Page #26
[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story | Read this issue]

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Self-Contained Hydraulic Add-On Kit


Need an extra hydraulic valve on your tractor but don’t want to spend a fortune? Adding an auxiliary valve is quick and easy with the Hydraulic Squid from Bucket Solutions.
The new hydraulic add-on kit includes a pump, multi-functional manifold, reservoir and control valves with power up/power down circuit. All that is needed is a 12-volt power supply. A 2-in. bore, 6-in. cylinder is included for mounting as needed.
“It can be used anywhere you need extra hydraulic power, whether on a tractor, skid steer or fork lift,” says Ted McSherry, Bucket Solutions. “It is an easy way to add a forward or rear auxiliary remote.”
Tractors under 50 hp. are often equipped with only 2 remotes. This makes it difficult and expensive to add a grapple or other attachment.
“I’ve been given estimates of $2,500 to $4,300 to add auxiliary hydraulics to a Kubota tractor,” reports McSherry. “The Squid with its cylinder sells for $995.”
The patent pending Squid is not only lower cost, but makes adding auxiliary power easy. McSherry suggests mounting it under the joystick for the loader. Hoses can then be run to wherever the cylinder is needed.
“In an hour or two, you can be ready to go with a grapple, post puller or other attachments requiring a 2,500 psi hydraulic cylinder. Switch out your toplink with the cylinder and you’ve got down pressure on your 3-pt. hitch.”
The Squid’s 3-liter reservoir provides adequate flow to the 2,900 psi gear pump powered by a 2 hp. 12-volt DC motor. The kit also includes a 2-button remote with 2 hydraulic hoses and fittings.
McSherry points out the Squid is also an easy way to add hydraulic power to an ATV or UTV for a powered snow blade, loader, or other attachments.
While currently intended for use with a hydraulic cylinder, McSherry says the company is working on other hydraulic applications.
“We want to have them perfected before we introduce, them,” he says.
To see the Squid operating a grapple fork, watch the video at FARMSHOW.com.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bucket Solutions, 3440 Youngfield St. #403, Wheat Ridge, Colo. 80033 (ph 720 327-4598; toll free 866 992-2333; Bucket Forks, Tractor Forks, Loader Forks by Bucket Solutions).

 

[Dave M7040]

Don't get me wrong.. I already have 3rd function on my tractor. I was looking at this for another application. There is very little info online about it and one very short youtube vid of it in use.
Just wanted some of the hydraulic pros on TBN to throw in their opinion. Even better.. someone that has one or has used it!

If you need more hydraulic circuits, use a hydraulic selector valve for under $300 with hoses. You share an existing hydraulic circuit.
Hydraulic solenoid operated selector diverter valve 12 volt DC | eBay

Add another control valve. Don't know much if anything about Power Beyond. Order your new single spool valve with the PB feature and install it ahead of your existing FEL valve. Then feed the FEL valve and other stuff past it such as the 3 pt hitch and rear remotes with the PB port in the new valve.

Dave M7040

 

[davedj1]

I don't think I would use it on a tractor unless no other option but I could see it for a smaller tractor, atv etc to add a lift for a plow or boom. I don't think the price is too bad although with some shopping you could package it up for less.

 

[galstaf]

If you need more hydraulic circuits, use a hydraulic selector valve for under $300 with hoses. You share an existing hydraulic circuit.
Hydraulic solenoid operated selector diverter valve 12 volt DC | eBay

Add another control valve. Don't know much if anything about Power Beyond. Order your new single spool valve with the PB feature and install it ahead of your existing FEL valve. Then feed the FEL valve and other stuff past it such as the 3 pt hitch and rear remotes with the PB port in the new valve.

Dave M7040

Of course! Already added a kit to the tractor. This isn't for the tractor tho.. no existing hydraulics on board.

 

[galstaf]

I don't think I would use it on a tractor unless no other option but I could see it for a smaller tractor, atv etc to add a lift for a plow or boom. I don't think the price is too bad although with some shopping you could package it up for less.

Agreed. Just want to know if anyone has used this kit or something similar they made up themselves that runs completely off battery power.

 

[ericm979]

Isn't that what hydraulic dump trailers use? A 12v powered hydraulic system I mean, not that specific one. But a dump trailer doesn't move the cylinder often... like up and down once each to dump. I think it'd take something burlier to power a cylinder that moves often.

 

[galstaf]

Isn't that what hydraulic dump trailers use? A 12v powered hydraulic system I mean, not that specific one. But a dump trailer doesn't move the cylinder often... like up and down once each to dump. I think it'd take something burlier to power a cylinder that moves often.

Isn't that what hydraulic dump trailers use? A 12v powered hydraulic system I mean, not that specific one. But a dump trailer doesn't move the cylinder often... like up and down once each to dump. I think it'd take something burlier to power a cylinder that moves often.

I guess it would be, but a dump trailer typically only uses a one way cylinder and lets the weight of the dump bed/load push it back down into place. I am looking for something that can power the cylinder in both directions.
I am mostly curious to know what kind of force this sort of system could exert and how fast it would activate the cylinder.

I am guessing noone round these parts has bought a "hydraulic squid". I hate to drop that kind of cash on something that has very little in the way of reviews.
The website also seems a little sketchy, which doesn't help. The lack of good pictures/videos/instruction manuals is off-putting

 

[LouNY]

Sounds about like a glorified snow plow pump and valve.
Surplus Center has over 20 hydraulic power units.
DC Power Units | Hydraulic Power Units | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com

 

[davedj1]

Agreed. Just want to know if anyone has used this kit or something similar they made up themselves that runs completely off battery power.

Yes, my dump trailer that I built uses this same set up. Well mine has power up and gravity down but you get the idea, it is rather quick too. My bed is 10' long and 6' wide. I have a 4" x 24" stroke cylinder and it's been in service since 2011 with zero issues. I do have it set up so it charges off of the truck when it's plugged in.

 

[davedj1]

I guess it would be, but a dump trailer typically only uses a one way cylinder and lets the weight of the dump bed/load push it back down into place. I am looking for something that can power the cylinder in both directions.
I am mostly curious to know what kind of force this sort of system could exert and how fast it would activate the cylinder.

I am guessing noone round these parts has bought a "hydraulic squid". I hate to drop that kind of cash on something that has very little in the way of reviews.
The website also seems a little sketchy, which doesn't help. The lack of good pictures/videos/instruction manuals is off-putting

I can tell you that it will generate plenty of force to work a blade either up and down or side to side. It would work for a top link to I would think. I have dumped loads as much as 5000 lbs without issue. I may have missed it but what exactly are you wanting to do with it? Have you looked into a Meyer plow pump? They can be had reasonable during the off season and are easily rebuildable. My last Meyer pump worked a 9' blade with no problems.
Basic rule of hydraulics is the power comes from the size of the cylinder.
Principles of Hydraulics

 

[oldnslo]

Force depends on cylinder size and operating pressure. Suspect that DC unit would produce around 2,500 PSI but would have very low flow at that pressure. These typically have a very low duty cycle of like 2 minutes on 10 off.

DC units are very common for tail gate lifts and some of these functions require double acting cylinders.