Hydraulic Top Link: Project Completed!

Bill_in_MI · Mar 6, 2006

Well, thanks to many TBN'ers who have gone before me and recent support on a couple of issues, I have completed the addition of the hyd top link to my Kubota B2910. Could not have been done without the loads of info and wisdom available here. Basic sub-projects were:

Install Tee in transmission case for return
Install rear hydraulic block option
Modify CCM Cylinder (See also in this section: Hyd Top Link: This Can't Be Right?)
Move rear lights to outside of ROPS and add home made valve bracket
Buy a boatload of fittings, a few hoses, and figure out how to best do the plumbing...or at least find a way to make it work.

Valve, fittings and hoses from Surplus Center
Top Link Cylinder from CCM
New weld-on Cat 1 ball link from Union Farm Equipment
Knowledge to do it from all of you

I'm real happy with how it turned out and, so far, works. It's fun to just "play" with it. So far no oil on the floor.

Thanks again to all for sharing your experiences.

ShaneD · Mar 6, 2006

Very slick! Looks nice.

GuglioLS · Mar 6, 2006

Great job -
I see you used Quick connects for the Top Link - that will come in handy for when you need to remove it for when you use a PHD. And you have a 3 spool valve to expand your system for other hydraulic goodies you see necessary.

Very clean installation /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bill_in_MI · Mar 7, 2006

Thanks. Yes, I did forget to mention the extra spools on the valve, but you are correct. Maybe a side link in the future, but I do have an idea about making a pair of hydraulic independently adjustable gauge wheels for my rake and box blade. Maybe next winters project. Anyway, I do anticipate other usees for the extra spools.

dullpain · Mar 7, 2006

So what did it cost you? Nice job!

Bill_in_MI · Mar 7, 2006

I have not yet done an exact total, but I think it's within $20 bucks either way of $700. The 3 spool valve bumped it up a bit. Also, I'm not counting what I "overbought" on fittings. I now have quite an inventory for future projects. Thanks for the nice comment.

JSUnlimited · Mar 7, 2006

Nice job Bill! I almost went with 3 spools like you did but I was on a tight budget for this "add-on." Isn't amazing how much hydraulic hoses and fittings are?

Bill_in_MI · Mar 7, 2006

The fittings really add up. Especially for me since in my haste to get this done I bought a bunch of "just-in-case" fittings. I wanted to be prepared for the unknowns and not have to wait out another order cycle. I could be a second distribution site for Surplus Center. It's a bunch of misc. stuff or I would consider e-Bay. I thought the hose costs were actually quite reasonable compared to the fittings.

eberlej · Mar 10, 2006

This looks like what I have imagined for my B7800. Any chance of posting the part #'s of the valves to save someone like me the trouble of ordering the wrong one? Looks like a very nice setup!

Thanks!

Bill_in_MI · Mar 10, 2006

First, download the pdf catalog from Surplus Center. Then send me a PM with your e-mail. We can go from there.

deere_x475guy · Mar 10, 2006

Nice job Bill! I want to do the same thing to my 4110. I just sent you a PM.

zapper · Mar 10, 2006

I have ordered the top link cylinder from CCM, connectors and hoses from Surplus center and my block connector from Kubota dealer with advice from Bill. I have a b2910 and cant wait to get started putting everything together. This was my parts for surplus center.

To Be Picked
2 9-4503 3 SPOOL 5 GPM EATON CESSNA 30923 OC VALVE 1 $247.95 To Be Picked
3 9-5404-6-6 5404-6 3/8" HEX NIPPLE 1 $.95 To Be Picked
4 9-5605-6-6-6 3/8 X 3/8 X 3/8 NPTF TEE 1 $2.95 To Be Picked
5 9-2404-6-6 JIC 6 TO 3/8 NPT 2404-6-6 1 $.79 To Be Picked
6 9-5406-P-6 3/8" NPT PLUG 1 $.49 To Be Picked
7 9-6901-6-4 6901-6-4 SAE 6 TO 1/4 NPTF RT ANGLE SWIVEL 2 $6.18 To Be Picked
8 455-GG HEX NIPPLE 1/4" NPTM 122-4 2 $1.78 To Be Picked
9 9-6314 1/4" NPT QUICK COUPLER S40-2 2 $22.50 To Be Picked
10 9-6901-8-6 6901-8-6 SAE8 X 3/8" 90 SWIVEL 3 $13.35 To Be Picked
11 9-5502-6-6 3/8 NPTM to 3/8 NPTF 90 ELBOW 1 $2.25 To Be Picked
12 9-6408-6 6408-6 SAE 6 9/16-18 ORB PLUG 4 $2.76 To Be Picked
13 916-1430 1/4" X 30" 1/4 NPTM X 1/4 NPTM 2750 PSI HYD HOSE 2 $13.50 To Be Picked
14 918-3224 3/8" X 24" 3/8 NPTM X 3/8 NPTM 4000 PSI HYD HOSE 1 $7.00 To Be Picked
15 918-3230 3/8" X 30" 3/8 NPTM X 3/8 NPTM 4000 PSI HYD HOSE 1 $7.75 To Be Picked
16 903-3848 3/8" X 48" 3/8 NPTM X 3/8 NPTM 2250 PSI HYD HOSE 1 $9.60 To Be Picked
17 455-II BUSHING 3/8X1/4" NPTF 3220-6-4 2 $1.18 To Be Picked
18 9-5405-4-6 1/4 NPTM TO 3/8 NPTF ADAPTER 2 $3.90 To Be Picked

MadReferee · Mar 10, 2006

Just for your information, The Eaton-Cessna valve you purchased is a 5 gpm valve when your implement flow on the B2910 is 6.4 gpm. Will it make a difference? Maybe, maybe not.

I don't see the power beyond plug listed on your parts. You NEED the power beyond plug.

Bill_in_MI · Mar 10, 2006

I have not perceived any performance difference in my systems...fel, 3pt lift, etc, wit this valve in the loop.

MadReferee · Mar 10, 2006

You have restricted the continuous flow in your implement system by 20%. Excess heat will be generated, and the pump may get over worked continuouly pumping thru the 20% restricted system, thus shortening its life. You might have even voided your warranty, or at least may cause a claim to be rejected if you get a hydraulic failure.

But then again, it might work ok forever. Based on my knowledge of hydraulic systems and the money invested in the equipment, I would not have used that valve. When I did my remotes I rejected that valve for this very reason.

Bill_in_MI · Mar 10, 2006

That's an interesting projection. I have to admit that I am unsure of the rating as it applies to the open center flow vsrsus the work ports. However, when I discovered that the rear block outlet provided by Kubota had 1/4 in pipe ports, I was not too worried about any restrictions that I might be applying. Perhaps those that are just now taking the plunge can check this out more thorougly. I'm not worried.

eberlej · Mar 10, 2006

I'm one of those oddities without a FEL on my Kubota...so the power beyond and continuous flow rating shoudn't be an issue...right??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I think.

MadReferee · Mar 10, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm one of those oddities without a FEL on my Kubota...so the power beyond and continuous flow rating shoudn't be an issue...right??? I think. )</font>

Wrong. All valves except the last MUST have power beyond. The 3pt is the last valve in the circuit.

Any valve that you attach to the circuit should be at least capable of passing the gpm of the implement circuit. Failure to do so may cause premature problems with the hydraulic pump.

Bill_in_MI · Mar 10, 2006

I believe Mad is correct about the circuit position of the bock and the 3pt. As far as the valve rating goes, these are somewhat arbitrary based on pressure versus flow curves. They make the call based on a resaonably acceptable cutoff of pressure increase from inlet to outlet, for example. Based on my uneducated guess(somewhat educated guess..as I am an engineer and slept in a Holiday Inn Express recently) I presonally am not worried about an increase of a couple of hundred psi in the continuous flow situation in a system that sees a couple of thousand when working hard. I would liken that to worrying about a blood pressure increase of 1mm of mercury. Not a big deal to me...but some would head off to see the doc.

JerryG · Mar 10, 2006

You need to prevent the build up of heat in the hydraulic system as much as possible. Increased heat will cause premature failure of your seals, as well as your pump and the hydraulic fluid. If you use a valve that has a lower rating than your pump, you will be increasing the heat as well as the constant load on the pump.