Kubota L35 Third Function Valve Install

[2506shooter]

I finally broke down and picked up a third function kit and a grapple for my Kubota L35.
I bought this kit from Summit Hydraulics
summit-hydraulics.com/product/hydraulic-third-function-valve-kit-w-joystick-handle-for-tractor-loader-21-gpm/
And I got this grapple:
mtlattachments.com/attachments/72-mtl-hd-root-grapple
Also got the WR Long quick tach pin on adapter.

And then the adventure began. I made a mounting bracket, twice. Two trips to the tractor parts store for hydraulic hoses. Two trips to Napa for fittings because I forgot one. And one reorder because they left out some of the electrical components when Summit shipped the valve.

And it still doesn't work.

The backhoe works fine and the third function has pressure but the front bucket valve has so little pressure it won't move. I'm using the power beyond port out of the FEL valve to feed the new valve and the power beyond port on the new valve to feed the backhoe. Backhoe works fine so the pressure is correct passing through.
I'm at a loss.
Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

 

[downsizingnow48]

I did a similar installation on my B21.
Your drawing looks correct.
My next step would be to re-attach the FEL power beyond port to the backhoe inlet. In other words take the new valve out of the circuit. Then see if the FEL starts working again. That would isolate the problem to the new valve.

 

[RNeumann]

If it’s plumbed correctly maybe you got a chunk of debris in something. QDs are a common culprit. Is the new valve working correctly?

The link you attached doesn’t work. Can you post it again?

 

[LouNY]

Just a couple of thoughts,
leaving your FEL valve did you use a power beyond fitting or just a hydraulic fitting?
To Infinity and power beyond

Also how do you control your third function, are you using a 3 position switch applying pressure from one port in one position,
no outputs in one, and pressure on the other port in the third position.

 

[LouNY]

Just a couple of thoughts,
leaving your FEL valve did you use a power beyond fitting or just a hydraulic fitting?
To Infinity and power beyond

Also how do you control your third function, are you using a 3 position switch applying pressure from one port in one position,
no outputs in one, and pressure on the other port in the third position.

 

[2506shooter]

Update:
Got home early yesterday and was able to work on it some. I think (hope) the problem is solved. I called Summit Hydraulics and after some checking and a lot of back and forth it turns out I can't just buy the same adapter as the other ports to use in the power beyond port, it takes a special one.... Thank you LouNY.
Power Beyond Adapter Sleeve for P8 & Z8 Series Summit Monoblock Valves
I guess if I had read a little deeper and not ***-u-me-d I would have known that and saved a lot of headache. Anyway, it's ordered and shipped.

I was also working through another issue I had. When I would push the button to activate the solenoid on the valve it would drop voltage and pulse like a turn signal. It checked out at 12.5v at the source and at the connector, but when activated it only read 9.6v. I thought I was being smart by using the headlight switch as an on/off switch (headlights burned out years ago, and won't be replaced) for the valve, except the 4 way flasher wire is right next to it. Guess which one I hooked to?

Looks like I have plenty of time to make a bracket to mount the connectors to the FEL.
I'll update again next week when the new part comes in and I can get it installed.

Thanks again!

ETA: For some reason it won't let me edit the OP to fix the links. I'll repost them here:

Summit Hydraulics Universal Third Function Valve 21gpm
Hydraulic Third / 3rd Function Valve Kit w/ Joystick Handle for Tractor/Loader, 21 GPM

MTL Grapple
219 MTL HD Root Grapple Buckets - $999 Special — MTL Attachments

WR Long Quick Tach
W.R. Long Pin on Tractor Loader Bucket to Universal Quick Attach Converter, Adapter | Free Ground Shipping for 1,000 miles!!
I ordered this local through a friend

 

[2506shooter]

Update #2

Got the power beyond adapter in and installed. It still doesn't work.

Long story short it works correctly if it is the only thing hooked up, but the pump sounds under pressure. When it's hooked up inline like it's supposed to fluid is fed to both work lines with activation of one solenoid and the pump sounds fine.

The only thing I can come up with is that it is an over volume problem with the return line since I had to tee into the existing one but that makes no sense since it works fine when just hooked to the FEL.

Can a hose come un laminated inside and collapse when put in certain positions?

 

[LouNY]

Update #2

Got the power beyond adapter in and installed. It still doesn't work.

Long story short it works correctly if it is the only thing hooked up, but the pump sounds under pressure. When it's hooked up inline like it's supposed to fluid is fed to both work lines with activation of one solenoid and the pump sounds fine.

The only thing I can come up with is that it is an over volume problem with the return line since I had to tee into the existing one but that makes no sense since it works fine when just hooked to the FEL.

Can a hose come un laminated inside and collapse when put in certain positions?

Looking a bit deeper into your system,
did you install the power beyond into your new valve?
Looking at your drawing your FEL valve should have had a power beyond already installed in it.
Then did you install the new power beyond into your new 3rd function valve?
I didn't look deep into that valve but;

P Port: Connects to equipments power beyond port
T Port: Connects to return line / tank reservoir
A & B Ports: Connect to cylinder lines

So the power beyond from your FEL connected to the P port,
the T port is tee'ed into your existing return line,
the A & B ports go to you new cylinder,

was there another port identified for the new power beyond plug to be installed in?

You state that when activating one solenoid you are getting fluid to both work ports?
Is it connected to a cylinder or just open ended hoses?
one port should have system pressure, the other should be just minimal system return pressure.

 

[2506shooter]

Yes to all the above.
I took both work lines off of the grapple to make sure I had all air out of the lines and realized that when one side of the valve was actuated both lines were pressurized.

I just went and picked up a check valve and installed it in the return line off of the new valve and before the tee. The grapple functions now but only opens when the solenoid is bumped. It closes like normal.

I've called Summit and they're sending me a new valve to try. Maybe that's what's wrong. Please let me know if you have any other thoughts.

 

[ptsg]

Where did you plumb the PB line on the new valve?

It does have the markings on the valve body. P is pressure coming from the loader valve. T is tank and N is the power beyond port where you put the sleeve on.


I wouldn't install that check valve as it can cause issues if installed the wrong way. A well connected system won't need that.

 

[2506shooter]

Yep. The power beyond is hooked into the N port with the power beyond sleeve installed. The backhoe and FEL are working correctly.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Yes to all the above.
I took both work lines off of the grapple to make sure I had all air out of the lines and realized that when one side of the valve was actuated both lines were pressurized.

I just went and picked up a check valve and installed it in the return line off of the new valve and before the tee. The grapple functions now but only opens when the solenoid is bumped. It closes like normal.

I've called Summit and they're sending me a new valve to try. Maybe that's what's wrong. Please let me know if you have any other thoughts.

Is the valve wired correctly?

 

[2506shooter]

Yep, only one solenoid actuating at a time. And has the correct voltage.

I've also just removed the check valve and tried it again. It's back to pressurizing both work lines.

Could the relief valve be set too low and causing it somehow? It is supposed to be set at 2615 psi from the factory but I haven't confirmed it.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

I'm thinking you have the valve plumbed backwards. Got a good link to the valve and maybe some better pictures?

In your first pic, that hose on top of the valve, where does it go?

 

[2506shooter]

I'm thinking you have the valve plumbed backwards. Got a good link to the valve and maybe some better pictures?

In your first pic, that hose on top of the valve, where does it go?

That is the return line. Goes to a Tee in the return line of the FEL.

This is the layout I have.

 

[ptsg]

I can't see anything obviously wrong... I'm actually wondering if they somehow sent you a valve with the wrong spool installed on it.

These valves can be setup with various types of spools that can mix all kinds of ports in various positions. Some will block both work ports in Neutral, others will have a port open to tank in neutral, and so on.

 

[LouNY]

Every thing looks good,
one thing you could try would to manually operate the valve ( I believe it has a manual override)
and see how it works.
It could possibly have the wrong spool in it or an o-ring sheared.
Maybe the replacement will work correctly for you.
Good luck

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Thanks, I see no obvious error assuming you have a PB sleeve/plug installed. At this point I agree with others that the valve is defective.

 

[Leejohn]

Is the valve wired correctly?

I would double check this. I see three spades on each solenoid, if it was just off and on it have two spades.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

I would double check this. I see three spades on each solenoid, if it was just off and on it have two spades.

After thinking about this, I don't think so. I think one is unused ground.

You only have 3 possible valve positions. None should put pressure on both ports. Even intermediate positions shouldn't.

But, here is a possibility...when off-center, one port has pressure, the other should be open to tank. If, for some reason, tank also has pressure, then you have a problem. Now, my 3rd function doesn't have PB and tank. Just an outlet, which goes to backhoe. Convert this valve to the same configuration just to check. Remove the PB sleeve and plug to port. Hook tank to backhoe or whatever is downstream. Check function.