L3200 3rd function build

[Speedex]

I recently built a 3rd function for my L3200 in attempt to save a bit of money over the wr long kit. I have right around $450 in it including the John deere joystick. Everything was ordered from surplus center except for a couple relays and wiring. The hoses from surplus center are great quality and are marked made in the usa. If anyone uses the John deere joystick be sure to use relays to activate the valve. I had to replace the switches and found out they are only rated for 0.1 amps and the valve takes around 3 amps. I have about 20 to 25 hours of use on it with the grapple bucket I built with no problems.

 

[LD1]

Curious, did you look into kens ultimate diverter kit?

Near the bottom of the page Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Hydraulics>>

 

[Speedex]

I wasn't really interested in a diverter valve setup. Having the ability to grab brush and keep closing the jaw as your moving I see as being a huge advantage.

 

[LD1]

Having the ability to grab brush and keep closing the jaw as your moving I see as being a huge advantage.

Why can you not do that with a diverter?

 

[Speedex]

If I get on top of a brush pile I can just keep tapping the grapple open and shut without regard to what way I'm operating curl leaving me able work the brush into the grapple with little thought. I'm a little simple minded at times but once you hit the diverter switch your curl or whatever function it is tied into cannot be used until you release the button. I'm sure I'd get used to the diverter valve if it was on the tractor when I got it but since I had the option I went with what I thought I would like more.

 

[Speedex]

I guess one thing that turned me off from the start is that I used a tractor awhile back to haul a fertilizer spreader. It needed two remotes to run it. One to operate the cylinder that operates the drive tire to get the conveyor going and one to power the spinners. We only had one remote on the tractor so we got a diverter valve setup for it. It wasn't a huge pain but I didn't like.

 

[LD1]

Well I dont have a grapple so no experience so I may be way off, but dont see a time where operating the curl and lid at the same time is needed. IF I ever doa grapple, it will be plumbed with a diverter just for simplicity.

 

[Speedex]

I think installing a 3rd is about the same as a diverter. Instead of breaking into the curl you break into the power beyond. Only difference being is one extra switch to hook up. I am certainly no hydraulics expert this is my second hydraulic project with the first one being a simple tubing bender. So I'm pretty new with all this.

 

[LD1]

A diverter is just 2 lines. Break into existing lines and run the two new ones to the new cylinder.

PB would require the PB cartridge, PB supply line, and a return line plumbed in somewhere.

Not a whole lot harder, but does require more stuff.

 

[LD1]

A diverter is just 2 lines. Break into existing lines and run the two new ones to the new cylinder.

PB would require the PB cartridge, PB supply line, and a return line plumbed in somewhere.

Not a whole lot harder, but does require more stuff.

 

[Speedex]

Using the power beyond is just two lines not including the ones that run to the front of the loader to eun the grapple. It runs from the power beyond off the loader valve into the p port of the valve then off the tank port it continues on to the backhoe then to the three point.

 

[Speedex]

At least that is how my Kubota is setup. It was very simple to add the 3rd

 

[avc8130]

I like what you did with those hose clamps, drilling and plug welding so you didn't mess up the paint on the machine. Very clean.

ac

 

[Speedex]

Thanks. I looked at it for a long time before I came up with that. I was going to have some hard lines made up but it worked out so well I just went that way.

 

[avc8130]

Thanks. I looked at it for a long time before I came up with that. I was going to have some hard lines made up but it worked out so well I just went that way.

I used the same clamps. I just didn't use the bottom plates. I drilled/tapped the loader for the bolts directly.

ac

 

[Speedex]

I couldn't bring myself to drill a hole. It crossed my mine several times.

 

[avc8130]

I couldn't bring myself to drill a hole. It crossed my mine several times.

Haha, I couldn't bring myself to grind the beautiful orange paint!

I figured I could always revert to welding if the drilled/tapped setup didn't work, but it never crossed my mind to hide the welds. I'll definitely be poaching the idea if it comes to that.

ac

 

[Speedex]

I was right there with you. I marked the loader arm with my predrilled plate and a sharpie then used a dremel to remove the paint. I removed the least amount of paint I could. Lol. I still have to tape the mounts off and shoot them with some orange paint. Seems like everything came together at once with my 3rd function and my grapple I had to go test it out. It just happen to be super nice out for such a long stretch I just stayed in the woods cleaning up and never took care of the small things.

 

[airbiscuit]

Very interesting thread. It would help me better understand the system if you could include a bill of materials. Neat job though.

 

[Speedex]

I'll get a list here soon. When I was building mine I would have gave anything for just some simple pictures on where to mount the valve and how the hoses were attached to the loader. It seemed like every picture I found was alway very vague in those areas. All of the hydraulic stuff came from surplus center. The two relays and a couple male/female plugs came from amazon and I'll have to try to remember what John deere site I ordered the joystick from. Between building my grapple and the 3rd I had less than $1000 all together.