Linear actuator for power SSQA?

[roadhunter]

I was swapping the bucket on my JCB the other day and thinking about this thread. The way they did this on my tractor is actually pretty slick if only have 1 auxiliary hydraulic output to use. My tractor is designed to be used with a 4 in 1 bucket so there is 1 port plumbed to the front. What they did was add a T and valve to both the supply and return. Those T's go to the hydraulic cylinder on the QA. By simply opening the valves on the T you can operate the QA pins with the same circuit that the bucket uses. When you are done swapping simply close the valves and operate the attachment as normal.

 

[Jim Timber]

Except you have to get off the tractor to do that - if you're already going up front, might as well have manual latches.

Now if you had a second diverter for the SSQA, you could do it that way.

 

[roadhunter]

Except you have to get off the tractor to do that - if you're already going up front, might as well have manual latches.

Now if you had a second diverter for the SSQA, you could do it that way.

I prefer flipping a hydraulic valve to using a pipe to manually open or close the latches like I did on my old tractor with SSQA but you are correct that you still have to get off the tractor to open and close the valves manually. Just an option that requires no wiring and works with existing plumbing on the tractor and still gives you the use of the aux hydraulics for attachments. My QA is quite a bit bigger and works differently than a SS does so electric would not be an option without some modifications and a much heavier actuator.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Road, I would be very interested to see a picture and/or further description of that jcb qa setup. Maybe in a new thread if it would take this thread too far afield. Thx.

 

[Pendotron]

Also of possible interest, here are a couple examples of installing a hydraulic cylinder.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/243169-scored-bobcat-power-tach-cylinder.html

I'm writing this so I can come back to your video
.

 

[Fallon]

Update...

The bar connecting the actuator to the levers has been bent for a while. I assume when the pins got jamed at some point. It still worked fine, but I may be selling mine off & upgrading to a cabbed grand here in a bit, so I'm cleaning it up. At any rate its good maintnance if I keep it.



Straightened it up in the vice. Welded braces on either side to prevent flexing. Hopefully it will preventnit from happening again. Photos are of the test fit before I repainted it.


Pipe or angle iron might be a better idea to prevent flexing & bending. If anybody is planning on copying this.

 

[Jim Timber]

My hydraulic version is still working flawlessly.

Getting it apart again could be ugly. I bent the timing rod on a stump while grading fill a couple months ago. Not bad enough to affect the SSQA (bucket must've held it aligned), but it's smiling at me when I bring it up into view. :ashamed:

 

[Fallon]

I prefer flipping a hydraulic valve to using a pipe to manually open or close the latches like I did on my old tractor with SSQA but you are correct that you still have to get off the tractor to open and close the valves manually. Just an option that requires no wiring and works with existing plumbing on the tractor and still gives you the use of the aux hydraulics for attachments. My QA is quite a bit bigger and works differently than a SS does so electric would not be an option without some modifications and a much heavier actuator.

So how does it work?

Get off tractor
Possibly unhook hoses to implement
Flip valve
Get back on machine
Operate spool
Dump implement
Pick up implement
Operate spool
Get off machine
Flip valve
Possibly hook up hoses to implement

I don't see the advantage compared to manually flipping the levers. Still have to get off the machine at least twice. The only time you have to do that with a power SSQA is when you have implement hoses to hook or unhook.

 

[roadhunter]

So how does it work?

Get off tractor
Possibly unhook hoses to implement
Flip valve
Get back on machine
Operate spool
Dump implement
Pick up implement
Operate spool
Get off machine
Flip valve
Possibly hook up hoses to implement

I don't see the advantage compared to manually flipping the levers. Still have to get off the machine at least twice. The only time you have to do that with a power SSQA is when you have implement hoses to hook or unhook.

LOL. I use it all the time and never get off the tractor. Imagine that. The only reason to flip the valve closed is if you are using the aux hydraulics for an attachment, which I do not do with my forks or my bucket most of the time. If your attachment uses aux hydraulics then you need to get off anyway to hook up hoses unless you have an electric actuator for that as well :laughing: If so I"m jealous.

Advantage is not getting off tractor and not using a cheater pipe to close levers on a SS QA.

This ain't rocket science folks. If you have aux hydraulics at the front of the tractor simply put a T before the QC's. Then put a valve on each T and a hose that leads to the hydraulic cylinder which operates the SSQA. By opening the valves you can operate your SSQA with your aux hydraulic controls in the tractor. By closing the valves you can then use you aux hydraulics on an implement.

If you are happy with a electric actuator and electrical lines run on the loader that's great. Not everybody wants that setup. There is also likely a reason that no manufacturers use that type of setup. But more power to you if you like it. I think it's creative but not my style as not everybody wants wiring strung on the loader arms, especially if they already have hydraulics on the front of the tractor. I'm simply giving people another option that works with their existing system.

 

[roadhunter]

Except you have to get off the tractor to do that - if you're already going up front, might as well have manual latches.

Now if you had a second diverter for the SSQA, you could do it that way.

Nope. I do not get off the tractor unless the implement requires hydraulic hoses be hooked up with is no different than the electric actuator. I get on and off the tractor the same number of times as Fallon does when changing implements.

If switching between forks and bucket neither I or Fallon get off the tractor. I push/pull a lever in the cab and he pushes a switch. Mine takes a second to engage and the electric likely takes much longer.

If switching between an implement that requires hydraulics both fallon and I have to get off to hook/unhook hoses, I simply close/open 2 valves when I am standing there hooking up or disconnecting hoses. Takes no time or effort at all.

The benefit is using your existing hydraulic system as opposed to zip tying wires all over the place between the battery, switch, and down the loader arms to the actuator. This way makes for a very clean and simple installation. But if you prefer the electric method, by all means knock yourself out. There is more than 1 way to skin a cat as they say.