New R28 Montana with Back hoe

[alltoys]

I haven't tried any extra front attachment as of yet. I was told it will handle the post hole auger from a Bobcat. That's one of the reasons I bought the Montana because of the higher fluid out put of the hydraulics than other tractors. Mind you it doesn't have the high capacity of a skid steer but close.

Hope those pictures help.

 

[JDeerekid]

Thanks for posting the pics alltoys. If I can get the 3rd fucntion kit for that price I am going to order it, either way I am going to call my dealer next week and find out what my cost would be. I am wanting one for a grapple that I would like to purchase soon. And in the future maybe a plow for the loader.

Also can I asked you to take a couple more pictures?? I would like to see where the hoses connect under or in back of the tractor from the splitter for the 3rd function valve.

Why do you have to ziptie the handle?? Are all backhoes hooked up like that???

Also that is one mean looking thumb you built. I bet that does come in handy for moving rocks and stumps.

Well thanks a bunch and it is nice that we can help one another out with questions and stuff.

 

[JackMentink]

How much did the backhoe part for your montana cost?

I'd love to get one, but don't know if I could swing the money for one.

 

[alltoys]

JDeerkid,

I ziptie the handle because the handle will not stay full on because of it being spring loaded. Most tractors have a notch for the handle to lock in place but this one does not.

Thumb works great can't imagine working without.

Have to wait for pics I am not sure where they hook up under the deck that will have to wait for a nonrainy day here.

JackMentink,

$6500 was the cost of the hoe in a package price along with 3rd hydraulics on the FEL, 2 separate hydraulic operations for the rear, and an extra gear range on the tractor.

 

[alltoys]

JDeerKid,

Don't know why I didn't see this before but the 3rd hydraulic is supplied by the loader tilt cylinder, tied in at the input to the nearest cylinder. See pick to understand.

 

[skipro3]

I have a 4344HST and just called my dealer to see what adding the 3rd function kit would cost. (Also known as a diverter valve). He said it was $607 and included the install. He said he could order it and have it in a week. So, it seems, just like with buying a car, it's cheaper to have the option added at the factory than after delivery!!

The other option is to use one of the spools from the back of the tractor. That seems a little clunky because you need to use two hands to operate both levers. Might be hard to drive. I do read threads where people have done each of these methods though and have to train themselves to operate them either way. The option using the existing rear spool would cost me about $130 in hydraulic lines and fittings. Sure is much cheaper to go that way.

 

[JackMentink]

SkiPro3. Its really not that bad to use the second hand for the grapple operation. You really don't use the grapple that much and its just to squeeze and pick something up and then release it. I ran mine from the back and it really has worked well on my 3644. It would be different if it would be the loader operation as their you have to move small amounts in several directions. With the grapple, its all on or all off so much less precise. if I did mine over again I would do it exactly the same way and use the $500 for something else.

That's my opinion.

That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee.

Jack

 

[skipro3]

Thanks for that input Jack. I've been doing some research on this today and here's what I have discovered....
1. First, the way alltoys has his 3rd feature on his FEL is basically a diverter valve. This valve is controlled by a solenoid. Now, that's fine if all your planning on using it for is the few seconds it takes to open or close a grapple thumb. But he wants to use it for the operation of an auger. That means he will be holding in that electric solenoid for 10 minutes or more at a time while the hole is being bored. That solenoid will NOT hold up. It will burn out and pretty quickly too. And, while he's busy diverting that power to pushing down on the auger bit, the other hydraulic functions will not be operational because it's an all-on or all -off propision; not metered. That may or may not be important.

2. I looked at that rear dual spool on the back of my 4344. It has an input/pressure side feeding that spool as well as an output/low-return side. By placing a Tee fitting on these two points and running them to a separate valve, two buttons could be added to the joystick to operate the grapple; one that makes the grapple go open and one that makes it go closed. This keeps the other two functions of the FEL in service while working the grapple instead of switching/ diverting the hydraulic pressure between the tip and the grapple.

In any case, I'm in agreement that dropping my hand off the joystick to bump the grapple open or closed is the best operation of the devise and it has the added benefit of allowing me to work an attachment like an auger for several minutes at a time without burning up a solenoid. Several hydraulic techs I spoke with today all told me to NOT include any electronics to control hydraulic pressures for anything longer than a quick and short operation. They won't hold up.

I recommend to anyone considering using their tractor for any accessories to consult a hydraulic expert who will listen to what you are trying to accomplish and can advise you.

 

[alltoys]

Thanks for that input Jack. I've been doing some research on this today and here's what I have discovered....
1. First, the way alltoys has his 3rd feature on his FEL is basically a diverter valve. This valve is controlled by a solenoid. Now, that's fine if all your planning on using it for is the few seconds it takes to open or close a grapple thumb. But he wants to use it for the operation of an auger. That means he will be holding in that electric solenoid for 10 minutes or more at a time while the hole is being bored. That solenoid will NOT hold up. It will burn out and pretty quickly too. And, while he's busy diverting that power to pushing down on the auger bit, the other hydraulic functions will not be operational because it's an all-on or all -off propision; not metered. That may or may not be important.

2. I looked at that rear dual spool on the back of my 4344. It has an input/pressure side feeding that spool as well as an output/low-return side. By placing a Tee fitting on these two points and running them to a separate valve, two buttons could be added to the joystick to operate the grapple; one that makes the grapple go open and one that makes it go closed. This keeps the other two functions of the FEL in service while working the grapple instead of switching/ diverting the hydraulic pressure between the tip and the grapple.

In any case, I'm in agreement that dropping my hand off the joystick to bump the grapple open or closed is the best operation of the devise and it has the added benefit of allowing me to work an attachment like an auger for several minutes at a time without burning up a solenoid. Several hydraulic techs I spoke with today all told me to NOT include any electronics to control hydraulic pressures for anything longer than a quick and short operation. They won't hold up.

I recommend to anyone considering using their tractor for any accessories to consult a hydraulic expert who will listen to what you are trying to accomplish and can advise you.

Just a couple of things might make it better with the system I have. The electric valve is on when the button is pushed and stays open till the button is hit again. While it is open the joy stick operates the attachment. This way the grapple will open or close, Auger rotates in one direction or can be changed to operate in the other direction. This concept is the same that is used on skid steers and have been used for years. I had the identical system on my John Deer 7775 used it for years without any problems. Either way it was installed by the dealer and is covered by warranty.

 

[JDeerekid]

Just a couple of things might make it better with the system I have. The electric valve is on when the button is pushed and stays open till the button is hit again. While it is open the joy stick operates the attachment. This way the grapple will open or close, Auger rotates in one direction or can be changed to operate in the other direction. This concept is the same that is used on skid steers and have been used for years. I had the identical system on my John Deer 7775 used it for years without any problems. Either way it was installed by the dealer and is covered by warranty.

Just a couple questions. Doyou know if your 3rd function is a true 3rd function or just a diverter? Do you still have control to tilt/curl the bucket and up/down of loader?
I would assume you have the diverter becuase it only has 1 switch, which should be cheaper that the actual third function. I contacted W. R. Long and got an approximate price of around $600 - $700 for parts and install myself for the true 3rd function kit, which allows you to keep all your other functions. I also email montana and got the part number for the kit (MTFKU1), but did not tell me if it is a diverter or true 3rd function. Right now I am looking for a 2 button rocker switch that will go into our loader control handle and get the parts for the rest of the 3rd funtion froma surplus supply. I have another thread started in the attachments section trying to find parts and ask questions about the 3rd function. Any input from the montana guys would be appreciated.