newbie with hydraulics questions

[cwilliams82]

I have a mule 2510 (gas engine) that I recently built a plow for. id like to avoid using a winch to lift it. I have been thinking about maybe doing some sort of hydraulic system to lift and lower (with down pressure) and also power angle. I have looked a linear actuators and there too slow. I found this and would like to do something similar. YouTube - Best ATV plow ever. also found this which is more like what I want to do. Teryx :: DSCF0889.jpg picture by brandonk1-maval - Photobucket.

ok so now how do I run it. I don稚 know much about hydraulics. I was thinking of using a power steering pump off the motor. and i am unsure on cylinders. what do I need for a control valve and anything else? is this even do able? been to all the utv forums and found little help. thanks

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN

Probably the simplest method would be a self contained hydraulic power pack similar to what's used on dump trailers and truck plows. Surplus Center has THIS ONE ready to go...

Short of that, you would need to add a auxiliary pump driven from the engine, add a tank, filter, valves and hoses...It would end up costing a lot more money in the end, and not be as elegant as the unit I linked above.

 

[Egon]

Welcome.

If going the electric route ensure your alternator/battery system is capable of supplying the power required.

 

[cwilliams82]

Welcome.

If going the electric route ensure your alternator/battery system is capable of supplying the power required.

thats why i was thinking the pump off the engine route. Kawasaki mules only have a 15 amp charging system. i can add an alternator..but if i did that, why not the pump instead??? i think i could find the parts needed cheaper than the surplus center pump/motor combo kenny suggested. to run that pump i would have to add an alternator and an optima battery. maybe im wrong here, but a used powersteering pump, used valves from like Ebay/craigslist, and im sure theres a good deal on cylinders out there somewhere. the tank i can make or have a friend make, hoses, gotta have those anyway. filter, im sure i can find that. so what else would i need? also what size cylinders? lengths i could figure out but what size bore? those on the unisteer deal look no bigger than 2". thanks

 

[Egon]

If adding the power steering pump is an easy job go for it. Maybe look into power steering cylinders from a 3/4 ton from the junk yard.

Might even be able to utilize the power steering unit for a control valve if it can be adapted?

Make a schematic of the system and see where the PSV's will be required?

Find a propane tank that the inspection has expired on for hydraulic fluid reservoir or find the proper sized fuel tank at the junk yard?

 

[mmurphy]

Maybe kennyd's route and add a matching battery in parallel for longer uses. Of course depending on if you are doing it at home or a Walmart parking lot.