MODIFY BRUSH HOG SOME MORE

[3RRL]

I do have another update for you.
I managed to mount the double pilot operated check valve (DPOCV) which I bought from Mark over at CCM. Like you saw on my backhoe leg's mounting, those have Metric fittings and steel tubes.

The hydraulic cylinder I bought is a 2-1/2" bore by 6" stroke, and it has a 1-1/2" rod. I chose it for the rod diameter for strength, since a small cylinder would work the rise and fall of the linkage. But I didn't want to bend the rod by hitting rocks or the severe bumps I go over. Since it eventually takes all the rear load/weight of the cutter and the new frame and linkage, it had to be beefy.

Well, it has #8 SAE ports. The banjo bolts for the DPOCV are British 3/8" BSPP (parallel thread) so I had to find an adapter. Of course I could not find one, but did find a male JIC #8 to female BSPP, but no "O" ring to seal it. So I lathed off the JIC taper and bored out the cylinder ports themselves to fit an "O" ring, which I put on the neck of the JIC fitting (now an SAE fitting ). The red thing in the port is a plastic threaded plug to keep chips out.
I fit it so it was in there perfect and tightened the fitting until the shoulder hit the port.

 

[patrick_g]

Rob, If the project uses tools, is fun, keeps you off the streets, out of bars, and away from strange women then it is probably a good thing!

 

[3RRL]

Then I cut the 12mm steel tube to length and installed the DPOCV onto the cylinder. Here are a couple shots of the fittings and check valve installed. They show the banjo fittings and copper washers and adapters.
It came out super clean so I am happy with that part.



Now, the in and out ports of the DPOCV are also 3/8 British, but BSPT (taper thread). So had to get an adapter for that too, to fit my short hydraulic hoses which have JIC #8 ends. These were scrap hoses from another project and had the JIC ends put on. I could've had them put BSP ends on, but opted for the cleaner install of the JIC fittings, in case I ever needed to dis-assemble the unit.
Here are a couple photos of that.



So that's all I did this weekend. Now the cylinder and hoses are ready to take up to camp where I will connect them to steel pipes. The steel pipes will run the length of the RC and upwards next to the 3pt top link. I will run hoses with QD's (also spares) from there to my rear remotes. This puts the hoses out of harms way, since the rotary cutter is notorious for slinging stuff that could sever them. But I'll have to do all that up at camp next weekend.

I'm going to spend the rest of this week at home working on slitting those 2" square tubes and grinding/cleaning up the welds.

 

[GuglioLS]

What a super sano DPOCV install ! you never cease to amaze me, if you cant find what you need you just make it on the fly. Real clean Rob, it looks great.


Larry

 

[3RRL]

Here's an update which adds a new twist to this project. It will mean a little delay in finishing this one, but it sure will be worth it.

After seeing all those threads about gauge wheels, I've decided to use this contraption as gauge wheels for all my implements. After all, the way it is designed and constructed, it is completely self contained and independent of the implement... including the hydraulic cylinder which moves the wheels up and down.

In the case of the rotary cutter, I was going to weld the "U" shaped frame to the rotary cutter itself. But if I make two heavy duty rails or bars that fit inside the "U" of the frame, and weld those onto the rotary cutter, I could set the entire frame and wheel assembly on those 2 rails. I would use pins to fasten the frame to the rails.

Then I could weld similar rails to all my other implements (where the wheel assembly would work best for that particular implement), and the whole wheel assembly, including hydraulic cylinder would fit onto those rails too. I could move this wheel frame assembly from implement to implement by just removing some pins.

Each implement would have hydraulically controlled gauge wheels.
Ha...what do you think about that?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Each implement would have hydraulically controlled gauge wheels.
Ha...what do you think about that?

I hope that you have a strong back. Sounds like to much work to me.

 

[GuglioLS]

I think it's a superb idea being able to move your precision built gauge wheels from one implement to another. It's a good thing you took your time on this project as it allowed for more versatility, therefore getting more bang for your buck.

My guess is you will build a stand or some other form of support structure for it. That way you can just back whatever implement underneath the the U channel and pin it on without having to struggle one bit. Rob this qualifies as a new invention "Quick Attach Gauge Wheels"

This should be duck soup for you, so I don't think it's going to be much of a project delay winding up in cost overruns or anything like that.


Larry

 

[3RRL]

Brian,
Strong back ... weak mind.
I'll give it a shot anyway. I know it's heavy.

Larry,
...this qualifies as a new invention "Quick Attach Gauge Wheels"
Man, I like that! And thanks for the suggestion of making a stand for it too. That will save the back.

 

[MrJimi]

And you could use a 2" receiver mount for each attachment and if you want more tightness you could use 2, one on each side
Jim

 

[MJPetersen]

Wait a minute guys!! Can you just imagine the QA that Rob would make? laser guide to line things up, precision tolerances, machined surfaces, spring-loaded snap pins. Wow this will be something!!

Rob, You will have to add more weight to the front of your tractor when you attach that to your customized BB. That BB will be so heavy that it will just sink into that decomposed granite, just sitting there!!

Actually I think that it is a great idea. economy of materials, time and added functionality.

Mike