Kubota "Shockless Ride", SoftDrive or equivalent accumulator?

[Smokeydog]

Any safety issues to consider with the KSR other than those normally associated with charged accumulators?

Edit: Talks about the reason for two accumulators:
W.R. Long, Inc. | Comfort Ride

Good question. Safety sticker on valve control panel warns to open or close valve when loader is down thus the pressure is at the lowest. Relieving pressure before working on any hydraulic system is good practice.

Any good hydraulics ergonomics has shields that protect the operator from leaks, heat and external debris damage. My chores have me operate in brush so taking that into account.

The M59 has little windows between the loader frame and tractor body. Using those and fabricated bracket support/shield above that window should offer good protection for the operator.

That W R Long system is what I envisioned. Sure don’t like that hanging outside the loader frame. My KSR accumulators might be just a little bigger.

 

[Smokeydog]

OK....SmokeyDog and I started talking and we've ended up with the exact same kit which we plan to put on our Kubota M59s. Somehow, neither one of us ended up with a copy of Kubota's formal installation instructions that was supposed to come with this kit. So if anyone has that literature it would be helpful. Otherwise we plan to just put our heads together and figure it out.

We've both got a good mechanical background, but I'm laid up right now and will probably be another 6 months before I can get back into the machine shop or to tractoring. Right now it falls to SmokeyDog & I'm just going to have to follow along while he has most of the fun.

On tractors with heavy loaders and buckets having a way to reduce the bouncing with a hydraulic "Comfort Ride" is real valuable.
We all know that not only does some damping make traveling more comfortable, but it really reduces the impact loading of the bounce on the front end and loader parts. I've seen these dampers put to good use on tractors from about 35 to 100 hp. We have it as a factory kit on our 90 hp JD.

For some reason there are a large number of these Kubota "Shockless Ride" or "Easy Ride" Kits out there on aftermarket and on Ebay, and they all work more or less the same. Prices are good.... maybe as low as half the asking price. So there's a good opportunity here for anyone else who wants to join in the fun. You can't loose much, or hurt much of anything, and it may just work a treat.
rScotty

I hope for you a speedy and complete recovery. Life is a curvy road so enjoy what you got and take it easy.

You being the brains of the outfit has the better looking sidekick worried. Still I think we can over think, over engineer and over build something to be proud of.

If I can complete a project in 6 months you and my wife will be amazed.

I really think this will be a beneficial feature to improve operations and protect the tractor for many years to come.

Doing what the W.R. Long system does with two accumulators shouldn’t be hard to build. How that differs from the KSR system I would like to know.

 

[rScotty]

You being the brains of the outfit has the better looking sidekick worried.

That means we're both in trouble...

If I can complete a project in 6 months you and my wife will be amazed.

Good, frankly it it happens by next summer I'll be a happy chap.

Doing what the W.R. Long system does with two accumulators should not be hard to build. How that differs from the KSR system I would like to know.

I agree. Originally I thought that both systems were essentially identical.....and maybe they are. I still haven't sat down and drawn it up. I'm still hoping we get the original install manual from Kubota. It would be my hope that the Kubota is at least a little more sophisticated.. Although I've no doubt we have a chance to combine both ideas into something better.

It would be nice to incorporate an inexpensive peak impulse pressure gauge to help us confirm those pre-charges are working in the right range. Same for your idea of measuring the load in the bucket by way of the pressure it takes to lift it.
I wonder if McMaster.com carries something usable?

BTW, it is interesting that those threads are British Standard Parallel (BSPP) with an O ring. Did I get that right? How did you check? Included angle or gauge? I understand that there is also a Metric Standard for a tapered thread, but I've never seen it in production. Every metric product I've run across uses the British Tapered Pipe Thread (BSPT). There's probably some interesting history there.
rScotty

 

[Smokeydog]

Took the accumulators to the hydraulic supply store. They are the experts not me. The older gentlemen did the work while four younger guys watched. Had loosen the attached male fittings to test fit. You said it right, parallel thread. On their counter built a mockup of what might be. Much like W R Long model.

Been studying on gauges and load cells. I like measured data. Gives some validity to what you see or feel. The ones I like are $$$. Years ago wrote an article on the grip strength of various vises, mechanic VS blacksmithing. The advantages of adding a thrust ball bearing to the later. Used an Enerpac cylinder and gauge for measured results.

 

[npalen]

It would be interesting to measure, if possible, the difference in pressure spikes in a system plumbed with single braid verses double braid hose for example. The hose acts as a mini accumulator with the stiffness and length determining the psi of pressure spikes, in my mind at least.

 

[Smokeydog]

From the Kubota KRS kit only used the accumulators, one loader tube bracket and maybe eventually the control panel for a upper bracket.

From the hydraulic shop adapter nipples for the accumulators, tee, needle valve, ball valve and fitting for JIC-8 hydraulic line that will tee into bottom of the lift cylinder.

Mounting. The bottom orange mounting plate will be cut on the black line. Holes will be drilled to match the 3rd function mounting solenoid cover tabs inside the right loader tower. Might modify the KSR plate for another bolt. Also consider welding or bolting the KSR plate and 3rd function cover together for combined strength.

This might be a good time to add a gauge. I like measuring devices but the information can be confusing. Why manufacturers like simple gauges or idiot lights. A gauge on the lift cylinder can also be calibrated to tell how much weight you are lifting. Often used in big end loaders. Farm Show magazine had an article about a startup company making such a thing for tractors. Any feedback from others would be welcome.

Sorry not moving fast on this modifications but life seems to know when you are in a hurry.

 

[rScotty]

Your picture reminds me that I made myself this promise... Each time I unfastened the end of a hydraulic hose for any reason, I was going to add a length of nylon protective hose sleeve if it didn't already have one.The good sleeving is kind of expensive - about a dollar a foot - but for the price of the one hose I ruined reaching past a tree trunk, I could have bought quite a bit of hose. Even ignoring abrasion, just keeping the sun off the hose will probably double their life. Use a zip tie each end to secure it.

I found the covering below on Amazon. It's not the cheapest, but the specs looked good; so does the sleeving. And now I have it handy in the workshop just waiting... and waiting.....

Pressure gauge:
A regular old pressure gauge in a Tee anywhere along the lift cylinder line at ought to give a ballpark convertible for static load. I've got one of those in my old JD which will lift about a ton. It's fun to watch, & my intention was to to put a measured weight in the center of the bucket to calibrate it, but haven't done so yet. So far the change in pressure with height is more interesting to watch. I was concerned that the pressure would spike driving over bumps and break the 5000 psi gauge, but that didn't happen. The real problem turned out to be the freezing point of the pure glycerin damping fluid.

rScotty

 

[Hay Dude]

I mounted KSR myself on my M126x using a Kubota kit I got from EBay.
I think it took me about 2 hours. Some of the best money Ive spent.
My M135X came with it from factory.

Would still love to fab up an electric solenoid on/off cab switch.
Is there a ready-made kit for turning off/on a hydraulic circuit?

 

[npalen]

Your picture reminds me that I made myself this promise... Each time I unfastened the end of a hydraulic hose for any reason, I was going to add a length of nylon protective hose sleeve if it didn't already have one.The good sleeving is kind of expensive - about a dollar a foot - but for the price of the one hose I ruined reaching past a tree trunk, I could have bought quite a bit of hose. Even ignoring abrasion, just keeping the sun off the hose will probably double their life. Use a zip tie each end to secure it.

I found the covering below on Amazon. It's not the cheapest, but the specs looked good; so does the sleeving. And now I have it handy in the workshop just waiting... and waiting.....

Pressure gauge:
A regular old pressure gauge in a Tee anywhere along the lift cylinder line at ought to give a ballpark convertible for static load. I've got one of those in my old JD which will lift about a ton. It's fun to watch, & my intention was to to put a measured weight in the center of the bucket to calibrate it, but haven't done so yet. So far the change in pressure with height is more interesting to watch. I was concerned that the pressure would spike driving over bumps and break the 5000 psi gauge, but that didn't happen. The real problem turned out to be the freezing point of the pure glycerin damping fluid.

rScotty

I'm thinking that the purpose of the glycerin is to not show the pressure spikes in order to protect the gauge mechanism.

 

[Fallon]

I mounted KSR myself on my M126x using a Kubota kit I got from EBay.
I think it took me about 2 hours. Some of the best money Ive spent.
My M135X came with it from factory.

Would still love to fab up an electric solenoid on/off cab switch.
Is there a ready-made kit for turning off/on a hydraulic circuit?

Tons of hydraulic solenoid valves out there. The quick one that comes up top of mind is a 3rd function or diverter. That's going to be fore 2 hoses rather than 1 though. It will be a ready made kit with all the wiring. Not sure if those are typically 2 valves or 1 dual port valve. A latching solenoid valve or continuous duty solenoid would be a requirement. Many 3rd finction/diverter setups are intermittent duty only & will overheat if let on for very long times.