Maybe a Step 'Backwards', But Handy?

[BobRip]

In life there is room for many solutions. From now on though, I have to do nothing but the simpliest solutions. What a burden.

Bob Rip

 

[TimOb]

Spiffy,

Isn't this fancier (and your solution)?

From a prior post
"I see surpluscenter has a double selector valve for a 12dc application, which would be a real nice one to get, but it's $200. That one allows you to dedicate the pto aux circuit to to QA and install a button on the joystick to toggle between tilt and mini hoe curl or 4n1 squeeze. I'm guessing the total cost would probably be $350 or so."

Isn't that what you did? But, $350, I think is too much for my needs. I sent Power-trac an email today to get the right hose thread configuration. Then, I think Bob's mod will be going on my pt425...

Tim

 

[MossRoad]

Spiffy,

But, $350, I think is too much for my needs. ...
Tim

Here's a link to Northern Tool's website. I did a search for soleniod+valve+12v and got the following list of valves. Look at the prices. I think you could find one for around $100.00. Then you have the associated hoses, fittings and electrical switch. I haven't priced it out, so I don't know what the total mod would cost.


http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/NTESearch?storeId=6970&N=0&Ntk=All&Ntt=solenoid%20valve%2012v&Nty=1&D=solenoid%20valve%2012v&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial

 

[TimOb]

Mossroad,
Thanks for that info. Looking at those Northman valves, I see various specifications, such as 'spring center closed" or "spring offset closed". Not exactly sure what these specs mean, but I'm thinking for a mini hoe or 4n1 application, we'd want a "open center open" configuration, or maybe "open open".

Can one of you experts (JJ, Spiffy, MR, etc...) shed some light on this?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Spiffy]

Just typed up a verbose reply with all sorts different configurations, and the new software, or the laptop here ate it. Perhaps my punishment for verbosity.

No doubt those NH descriptions are bit confusing, so I probably won't clear it up but can give you a quick general idea. If you use it in a power-beyond type configuration (essentially, in series with the existing valve bank), it has to be open circuit [the fluid goes through the valve when not in use] for PT's hydraulics. For cylinders: you want closed center (the cylinders will stay put), and for motors you want open center: the motor goes to neutral instead of a hard stop.

 

[J_J]

Chad, you are mostly correct, but let me add these definitions. With cylinders, you want open centers. With tight valves, when you release the control, the cylinders are supposed to remain in place, and you have noticed that PT's cylinders will leak down . A good valve will be tight, or have a built in load check.

Open-Center: Typically used with a fixed-displacement pump, allows oil to free-flow back to the tank in neutral position. Shifting the spool redirects oil to the selected work port.



Open-Center-Power-Beyond: Same as Open-Center valve except oil flows to downstream circuit in the neutral position instead of returning to the tank.



Closed-Center: Typically used with a variable-displacement pump, oil flow is blocked at the valve until the spool is shifted from neutral

 

[TimOb]

Spiffy/JJ,
thanks. But I'm still not sure which configuration we would need to operate the 4n1 jaws or mini hoe curl using the left/right joy stick movement.

Now, Spiffy thinks cylinders would use closed center and JJ thinks open center.

This one is spring center closed:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_38482_38482

This one is spring center opened:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_38484_38484

Spiffy, here is the one I think you used:
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2006062513384248&item=9-1782&catname=hydraulic

Do you guys think one of those Northman valves at Northertool will work in a configuration similar to Spiffy's?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[J_J]

Tim, The joystick valve you use to raise, lower and tilt the bucket is an open center valve. When you are ar rest, or neutral, the fluid is going back to tank. Some valves have power beyond, and that is used when you add a valve downstream. The first valve bank uses the fluid first, and the valve down stream is cut off until the first valve is finished . On my 1445, I have a third valve on the valve bank that has the joystick, For me it is used to change the angle on the blade, or I use it activate the grapple unit that I built. On your unit it may be used for the QA.

 

[Spiffy]

On my 1445, I have a third valve on the valve bank that has the joystick, For me it is used to change the angle on the blade, or I use it activate the grapple unit that I built. On your unit it may be used for the QA.

That's the way my 2445 is, first two spools on the joystick and last for the QA; it has quick connects so for other uses, but that would have the same frustrations as started this thread.

 

[Spiffy]

But I'm still not sure which configuration we would need to operate the 4n1 jaws or mini hoe curl using the left/right joy stick movement.

Tim

Actually we were both saying you need a open center valve for the PT's constant volume [always flowing] circuits; this will hold true whether you have a PB port or just go in series. I confused the issue by further noting that there are cylinder spools and motor spools, which I've seen refered to in relation to "center" as well. Northern doesn't seem to specify cylinder or motor; perhaps I'm blind or perhaps they assume you want cylinder spools. Either way sorry about the confusion.

Actually, I used manual valves, I'll see if the search finds my thread on that for some pictures.