Need 2 more spools on JD 970

   / Need 2 more spools on JD 970 #1  

upnorth inspector

New member
Joined
Nov 4, 2021
Messages
9
Tractor
John Deer 970
I have a JD 970 with loader I purchased a 3 point flail mower that needs 2 controls for lift and articulate How can i do this my dealer is no help
 
   / Need 2 more spools on JD 970 #3  
IF you already have a set of remotes...a selector (or diverter) is gonna be the easiest.

If you dont.....it gets a bit more complicated. You have to have a little understanding of hydraulics, you are gonna need a two spool valve that is power-beyond (PB) capable. You need 3 lines from the valve to the tractor (P, PB, T).....then 4 to go to your coupler sets.

Todays prices.....You are probably gonna have ~$700-$800 in trying to do it yourself and a days worth of work in the shop, and probably a few trips to your local hydraulic supply store for various adapters and hoses.

Does the tractor at least have a loader? Cause if it does and you can tolerate mowing WITHOUT the loader.....you can always take the loader off and make hoses for the flail that will couple to the loader valve
 
   / Need 2 more spools on JD 970 #4  
This post is intended to alert some JD owners that JD has used closed center hydraulic systems on some models. The difference between Open Center and Closed Center is very important in selecting valves for adding rear remotes.

I checked and the JD 970 is open center which will make this project easier not easy.

Dave M7040
 
   / Need 2 more spools on JD 970 #5  
Yes, the 970 is open center hydraulics. As Dave says, that makes it a lot easier.

Not surprised that the dealer is no help. I'd be more surprised if he had someone capable of designing a hydraulic control system working as a tractor mechanic.

First thing first - This isn't a one day project. It isn't hard, but there are a number of pieces.

We can begin with the the make and model if your FEL control valve - also called a directional spool valve. What we are looking for is to see if it has a Power Beyond (PB) port. Take some photos. If it has that port, we then need to find the particular PB adapter sleeve which fits inside the port of that control valve. If you find that, you can use that port for pressure to a another two spool directional control valve which you would plumb to work your lift and articulation cylinders.

If no PB port or no adapter sleeve is available on your FEL control valve, then it's up to you whether to replace the control valve with one with a PB port .....or alternatively you can plumb the hydraulics so that you can selectively disable the FEL to enable the remotes to work.

And that's all there is to it. Frankly, if it were mine I'd find a set of three nice old style manual hand crank adjusters for the 3pt lift and articulation angle adjustments....and see how you like doing it that way. Much easier.

rScotty
 
   / Need 2 more spools on JD 970
  • Thread Starter
#6  
best i can do for a photo my thought add new 2 spool valve before this valve then plumb to JD valve would that work
 

Attachments

  • jd bucket valve.jpg
    jd bucket valve.jpg
    3.2 MB · Views: 110
   / Need 2 more spools on JD 970
  • Thread Starter
#7  
IF you already have a set of remotes...a selector (or diverter) is gonna be the easiest.

If you dont.....it gets a bit more complicated. You have to have a little understanding of hydraulics, you are gonna need a two spool valve that is power-beyond (PB) capable. You need 3 lines from the valve to the tractor (P, PB, T).....then 4 to go to your coupler sets.

Todays prices.....You are probably gonna have ~$700-$800 in trying to do it yourself and a days worth of work in the shop, and probably a few trips to your local hydraulic supply store for various adapters and hoses.

Does the tractor at least have a loader? Cause if it does and you can tolerate mowing WITHOUT the loader.....you can always take the loader off and make hoses for the flail that will couple to the loader valve
thought of that but not easy to remove this loader and not the handiest crew dont what to use selector valves but may have to
 
   / Need 2 more spools on JD 970
  • Thread Starter
#8  
   / Need 2 more spools on JD 970
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Yes, the 970 is open center hydraulics. As Dave says, that makes it a lot easier.

Not surprised that the dealer is no help. I'd be more surprised if he had someone capable of designing a hydraulic control system working as a tractor mechanic.

First thing first - This isn't a one day project. It isn't hard, but there are a number of pieces.

We can begin with the the make and model if your FEL control valve - also called a directional spool valve. What we are looking for is to see if it has a Power Beyond (PB) port. Take some photos. If it has that port, we then need to find the particular PB adapter sleeve which fits inside the port of that control valve. If you find that, you can use that port for pressure to a another two spool directional control valve which you would plumb to work your lift and articulation cylinders.

If no PB port or no adapter sleeve is available on your FEL control valve, then it's up to you whether to replace the control valve with one with a PB port .....or alternatively you can plumb the hydraulics so that you can selectively disable the FEL to enable the remotes to work.

And that's all there is to it. Frankly, if it were mine I'd find a set of three nice old style manual hand crank adjusters for the 3pt lift and articulation angle adjustments....and see how you like doing it that way. Much easier.

rScotty
Valve is a Danfoss 1560 AC It has pb port but is plumed
 
   / Need 2 more spools on JD 970 #10  
Valve is a Danfoss 1560 AC It has pb port but is plumed

Looks like you didn't get a chance to finish your post. But from your earlier posting I kinda think you are going to say that the FEL valve does have a PB port....but that it is already plumbed somewhere - hopefully only to the to the 3pt hitch, but maybe to power steering??

So if I am correct, then you are now asking if you can put the two spool directional control valve for the two tilt and lift cylinders BEFORE the existing FEL valve instead of after it.

I would say that you could do that. It is going to depend a lot on whether you have power steering and a proportional valve for that power steering....and where that is in the circuit.
Without power steering I see no reason why it would not work. You haven't mentioned power steering so I'll proceed as if it isn't there to complicate things. A couple of things to think on though...

1. The new 2 spool valve you buy must have a PB port and the special PB adapter sleeve for that port because that is what you are going to run to the input side of the existing FEL valve.
2. Both of your spool valve assemblies have a return to sump port. Both have to be able to return fluid to the sump independently. Yes, you can "Y" them together and use low pressure hose, but only if the Y and the hose back to the sump are twice the diameter of the line from the ports to the Y. The reason is you do NOT want any back pressure in that return line. Smooth curves, etc.
3. Theoretically you can daisy-chain as many PBs and spool valves together as you want, but realistically each time you do so there is fluid friction that reduces the efficiency (mostly the cylinder speed) of the entire hydraulic flow system. The 970's hydraulics do not have much flow rate to spare, and the losses are additive.

So expect that both loader and 3pt will be slower to respond and their cylinders will move noticibly slower than before. Slow movement is more noticible - and irritating - with a FEL than the 3pt. And that is why we usually put the FEL spool valve as the first in the series and let the 3pt speed take more of the efficiency hit.

So it won't be perfect, but still ought to work. It still depends on power steering & how that is plumbed.

It sounds to me like you are on the right track & we are all learning.
rScotty
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2023 John Deere FC 15R (A47307)
2023 John Deere FC...
2016 Toyota Prius Hatchback (A46684)
2016 Toyota Prius...
2018 Ford F150 XLT 4 Door 3.5L EcoBoost (A48561)
2018 Ford F150 XLT...
2010 Ford F-350 4x4 Pickup Truck (A46684)
2010 Ford F-350...
2017 FREIGHTLINER M2 26FT BOX TRUCK (A45677)
2017 FREIGHTLINER...
2016 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT Coupe (A46684)
2016 Chevrolet...
 
Top