Need hydraulic advice

[jimgerken]

Thanks Jim
I've read that in a few threads and I did think about it, but space is tight and I can't imagine what I would use the third remote for. I sort of talked myself out of it. The tractor will be used for snowblowing, box blading and road grading.
Now you've got me thinking again. What would I use the third remote for?

The nicest gravel road or driveway implement, in my opinion, is the landscape rake (some guys may disagree, but it works great for me). My own rake is now equipped with a hyd cyl to swing it side to side, to grade the material to the left or right. In addition to the Top and Tilt (tilt very important to grading roads and trails), this makes three hyd circuits needed. I have two , so now I am adding a selector to my top link cyl, along with a couple more couplers. Its not as nice as it would be had I put on three circuits to begin with. But it will work out ok.
Some guys have hyd scarifiers on a box blade. That seems like a great deal.
A wood splitter would be another one.
A hydraulic spout rotator or spout deflector on a snowblower is another example.
The third remote REALLY gets important if/when you discover the quick-hitch option. Speeco makes a nice Cat 1 Q.H., just the right size for compacts. Once your implements are set up properly (one of mine worked as-is, the others had to be modified slightly, like drilling a hole, one needed welding, one just a bolt-on bushing), you can switch without getting off the seat. Its the absolute greatest. It does almost require a top cylinder though, to get the angle right each hook-up. And its nice to adjust the top link for the job of course. Top And Tilt use two, you need one more for the actual implement. After installing TnT, and a Quick hitch, its almost as-if you didn't have ANY available hyd circuits installed, since both the ones you added are consumed by stuff that's on the tractor all the time. Three is the right number (in addition to the two you have already from the loader joystick of course).
Maybe next week I will have some pics of my "finished" setup.

 

[Tig]

Thanks MadReferee. I'll try that.
As for the dump trailer etc I'll just have to disconnect the tnt to operate it. I accept the compromise of simplicity vs functionality.

 

[Tig]

Jim, I'd love to see pics of your setup. I've been looking at all I can find at TBN. Right now it's hard to make progress while I hmm and haw about the arrangement of the components. I finally made a decision about the design of the mounting bracket and started making it last night. Tonight I'll finish that and then start mounting components. I'm off Thursday and Friday so with any luck I'll get that done and the hard lines too.

 

[3RRL]

Tig,
What kind of DPOCV's did you get? Where did you get them and how much were they? Can you post a photo of them?
Thanks,

 

[jimgerken]

TIG, I started a new thread showing my setup. The thread is called something like " Quick-attached Landscape Rake with Top-n-Tilt-n-Swivel ! " and it is under Build it Yourself.

 

[Tig]

Hi 3RRL, sorry I have not checked this thread. I got real busy welding and assembling. I got the DPOCV's onsale at princess auto last January. PRINCESS AUTO End of line 19.99 each. The tractor is 3 hours away as of last weekend. I'll post what pics I have and I'll get some close ups next week end.
I'll check your thread Jim.

 

[3RRL]

TIG,
When you get a chance, could you post the catalog or item number at that link? I searched for DPOCV, the pilot operated check valves, the check valves and returned nothing. Just concerned because $19.99 is a heck of steal on those. Are they the right ones (DPOCV) with a good cracking pressure rating for sure?
Thanks,

 

[Tig]

Rob, the item number on the receipt is 8135527 and it is a DPOCV made by these guys. Blb hydraulic - Home - What Blb is I bought them Oct 31st and I got the last two at the Ottawa store. There may be more at the main warehouse where they fill the online orders. Later I had to go back to ask what type of fitting I needed and the clerk looked it up and mentioned that they were discontinued. Being a newbie to hydraulics, I never thought to ask about the cracking pressure. At that price I kind of assumed it's not top of the line. but should work fine on my small tractor. By the way Rob, thank you for your T&T thread I referred to it quite a bit while I was planing my T&T.

 

[Tig]

I ran out of time to fiddle with the remotes and T&T because I had to assemble and use it last weekend. Initially I wasn't completely satisfied with some of the details and was going to fix them before posting pics. After thinking about it for a bit I realized that I could contribute more by showing what I tried and wasn't happy with.
Because space is limited on the back of a B7100 I tried to create a bracket where I could mount the spool and the remotes. I figured this way I could use steel lines to create a tidy setup.
Here is part of the bracket.

It runs right across the back of the tractor and bolts onto the fenders where the flasher lights used to be. The lights are relocated to the bracket. I have room for two more QDs. I plan to feed them off the TPH selector valve, perhaps to power a wood splitter.
Next you can see how the steel lines turned out. Not quite tidy like I had hoped. In time I may replace two lines for the rear spool with hoses to clean that up. For now it worked fine even when the lines warmed up a bit.

The steel lines that mount the check valves aren't quite what I had in mind either, but since Princess Auto bends and flares for free (they just charge for the steel line) I figured I got my money's worth. Functionally there is no problem using them and the center link lines don't get bumped as long as I have something on the TPH, so they won't change any time soon. Painting the cylinders was also postponed. My tractor has about 3.7GPM and 1700PSI in the hydraulic system. I used 1.5" cylinders and 1/4" flex lines to the 3/8" QDs. I can feather the cylinders nicely.
I had to limit the upward travel of the TPH to avoid clearance problems with the center link hoses.

Finally, here is a picture my wife took of me going off to play, errrr, I mean work.

In closing I'd like to thank our departed friend MadReferee for his generous advice, as well as thank everyone who posts their projects and offers thoughts and advice. I used as much of your experience and advice as I could. As I learn to use the T&T I am thrilled with how well it works. Friends and family were all very impressed with what I have built so let's keep it a secret that I only copied what I saw here as best I could.
If you have any further thoughts or questions let me know. I'd be happy to hear them.

 

[BamaRob]

Now that's a pretty sweet setup. I may have to do something similar some day.

BR