Dirt Moving Installation of Rear Hydraulic Connections on a JD 4500

mgrablin · Nov 18, 2016

My Gannon box scraper needed a set of rear connections which were not present when I bought the tractor and attachments. One solution proposed were long hoses connected to the quick disconnects for the front end loader.

While it would seem to be a workable solution it's not without cons. One of course is the fact that your tilt on your bucket loader is inoperable while you are borrowing that circuit to the box spreader. For about twice what the long hoses would have cost, I purchased a kit called Selective Control Valve, JD part # LVBM18820. In Colorado it was $280.50 plus tax. By the time I added the quick disconnects and hoses to match the box scraper to the kit the total cost was just under $400.

Installation of the kit was straight forward and the instructions were clear. After removing the required floor panels the kit bolts into the third circuit on the hydraulic mixing valves below the front loader control lever. A lever attached to a new right fender arm rest controls the pressure between the two supplied female quick disconnects.

Pay very close attention to the lever adjustment on the control cable. What seemed like my valve was stuck turned out to be a needed adjustment on the control lever cable.

The project was a success and the scarfs on the box scraper work as intended.

ovrszd · Nov 18, 2016

For clarity, can you explain how this system works??

Without uncoupling/coupling any hoses you can now run the rear remote with the lever on the fender console?

And you didn't lose any simultaneous use of your FEL?

If so, very nice and very reasonable price to have a factory system.

beenthere · Nov 18, 2016

Sounds like the OP added the 3rd SCV kit and it uses the extra control valve that came with the tractor.

mgrablin · Nov 18, 2016

The kit used the third valve already supplied with the stock tractor. I simply removed the two plugs on the bottom of the control sssembly and connected the two metal lines supplied with the kit. The control cable connected to the existing plunger at the front of the valve assembly via a bracket supplied in the kit. I retained full use of the FEL.

ovrszd · Nov 18, 2016

That's awesome!!!! Best scenario in my opinion. I'm not a fan of Diverter valves unless it's a necessity. Never could quite understand losing a function to gain a function.

Nice work. Thanks for posting the thread with pictures.

jenkinsph · Nov 19, 2016

These tractors come with a factory installed three spool valve assembly as standard. The kit adds the rear lines and couplers along with lever and linkage for the third spool.

When I got my 4520 home from the dealer I removed the fel steel lines from the mid mounting and replaced these with hoses to the rear. That way I have three sets of rear couplers for top n tilt and the rippers..

mgrablin · Nov 19, 2016

My only challenge has been to ensure depressurization of the attachment prior to uncoupling the quick disconnects. After decoupling my box scraper without thinking of depressurization it would not couple on next use. I had to partially loosen the line at the box scraper cylinder to release the pressure enough for the male coupling to release the pressure lock ball to allow the female end to snap to the locked position.

beenthere · Nov 19, 2016

mgrablin
Would be nice to have a tool modified to slip over a male coupling end and press that tip to release the pressure (of course there will be a squirt of oil so a good rag wrap is in order).
I wrap a rag around the coupling and tap that tip with a hammer.. most of the time avoid some oil spray but not always.

Removing in cold temps and trying to hook up when warm will create pressure build-up, even if depressurization when uncoupling is done.. I find.

ovrszd · Nov 19, 2016

I tap the ball end of the hose against a metal object.

Shut the tractor off, then move the valve lever to each position to relieve pressure, then uncouple. Float will do the same thing if equipped.

mgrablin · Nov 20, 2016

Great minds think alike and I tried pressing the tip of the male connector to the lower arms of the three point hitch. With all my 175lbs behind it I couldnt get a drop. The last time the box scraper was removed I moved the lever in both directions with the tractor off. That did the trick.