Joystick float adjustment

[J_J]

jj I looked at the picture of the detent on the valve. I have dial up and it is so slow that my computer and I both go to sleep waiting on it to down load, you lucky folks that have high speed internet. I long for the day that I learn to enjoy watching paint dry or we get high speed internet. Enough of that now JJ on the valve that you show it has an oval sleeve, on the valve that is on mine at least, there is a bolt going into both ends of that oval [not talking about the two bolts that bolt it to the valve block] if you can find one that looks like that on the net could you post it I beleive the two steel balls are pushed in by springs that are under those bolts it would be interesting to see if that is true. JJ I enjoy reading your posts I beleive you said once that you were in the Navy my brother was in the Navy served on Uss Constellation during Vietnam War. If you can find one that might tell us what brand valve block they used on ours and seeing how the parts fit together would help. Thanks.

Toy, My US NAVY days were from 1960 through 1981. Never served on a ship. I was an Aviation Electronics technician for the first half and switched over to Antisubmarine warfare operator . I flew in P2V Neptunes, and P3 Orion. Retired as an AWC

 

[MossRoad]

P3 Orion

One of my favorite planes!

P-3 Orion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[SwampmanLA]

Or click here...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/99637-pt-425-mods.html

Just to clear things up. The valve works fine and I do not believe it needs repair. It just pops out of float on rough ground. So looking at these pictures gave me the idea that all I have to do is apply spring tension to the joystick handle to help it stay in float. Using a bell crank, spring, and adjustment screw I should be able to build a device that applies spring pressure to the bottom rear of the joystick and have it adjustable as well. Well the week is near and maybe I can build it then.

Swamp

 

[J_J]

Just to clear things up. The valve works fine and I do not believe it needs repair. It just pops out of float on rough ground. So looking at these pictures gave me the idea that all I have to do is apply spring tension to the joystick handle to help it stay in float. Using a bell crank, spring, and adjustment screw I should be able to build a device that applies spring pressure to the bottom rear of the joystick and have it adjustable as well. Well the week is near and maybe I can build it then.

Swamp

You have paid good money for the machine and the float mode. Apparently it is not working like it is supposed to . However a band aid fix might help.

 

[kmaz]

You have paid good money for the machine and the float mode. Apparently it is not working like it is supposed to . However a band aid fix might help.

The fact is , it is working the way its supposed to. Like swampman says , over rough ground it bounces out of float , due to the weight of the handle.

Bottom line is,.. it is what it is , and it sounds like hes gotta solution to make it better.

Kris

 

[MossRoad]

The fact is , it is working the way its supposed to. Like swampman says , over rough ground it bounces out of float , due to the weight of the handle.

Bottom line is,.. it is what it is , and it sounds like hes gotta solution to make it better.

Kris

I do not think it is due to the weight of the handle at all. I think it is due to a faulty detent in the valve. It is the owner's choice to repair it or find a workaround that he/she is happy with.

 

[kmaz]

I do not think it is due to the weight of the handle at all. I think it is due to a faulty detent in the valve. It is the owner's choice to repair it or find a workaround that he/she is happy with.

well I sure wish someone (not me) would try to have theirs repaired then because i would love to know if that is the case!! I do know this has come up for years on these forums and to my knowledge theirs never been a definitive fix.

 

[J_J]

well I sure wish someone (not me) would try to have theirs repaired then because i would love to know if that is the case!! I do know this has come up for years on these forums and to my knowledge theirs never been a definitive fix.

I think the reason is. that no one wants to go into the valve and attempt a repair or clean out. The detent part of the valve is an option, and all of the parts can be replaced. Terry hinted at an older version like mine, and a newer valve, and I believe what he is talking about is a one piece valve verses a bolt together units.

If your valve is like the Prince valve, the detent section screws into the bottom of the first spool, and is secured with locktight. Now, if this came loose, then you would not have the distance to properly set the little balls in to the detent grove. Perhaps it is a simple fix, like cleaning, maybe some new parts are necessary. I don't think anybody stays in float that much to wear out the detent parts.

If you can get the parts breakdown, it should be an easy fix.

 

[SwampmanLA]

Here is my attempt to add a bit of pressure to the joystick assembly to hold it in float mode. Pictures save me thousands of words so please have a look at what I attached.

In short, my joystick has a block at the base and a piece of round bar stabilizing the movement of the joystick. Leveraging those two features I cobbled together a die to cut 7/16 x 14 threads into the rod as far up as I could go, cheap HF tools made it easy to sacrifice a socket and die to the welder. Then I played around with springs till I found something that pushed the joystick forward while in float mode but also allowed full travel of the joystick. The joystick is a bit tighter but so far no other unintended consequences have emerged. It's raining here so I don't think I'll get to test it out this weekend but once I do the report will be posted here.

 

[kmaz]

Hey swamp, that looks great!! good pics too. I actually thought of the exact thing but didnt know how to thread the guide rod in that tight space...ingenious!! I think that will work nicely. JJ's got me thinking now that maybe something isnt right . Whats weird is that mine does lock into float with a pretty positive feel, so im just not sure. Im still leaning towards the excess play of the joystick in float AND the weight of the handle.

Kris