PHD - Down Force Kit

[JD 4520]

I purchased a Down Force Kit for a PHD from My local JD dealer. No one seems to know the answer to my question related to the plumbing of the hydraulic on this down force kit.
The hydraulic cylinder has two ports, you would assume that one end is to extend and the other is to contract but no, both hoses go first into a relief valve and the relief valve connects to one port on the hydraulic cylinder when the other port remains plugged.
I don’t understand how this works, because it doesn’t seem to work, and what SCV do I connect it to - I have a 3rd, 4th and 5th SCV. How does this work and where do I connect to?

 

[Peter 315]

The downforce kit requires hydraulic pressure from a tractor selective control valve (SCV) and a pressure-free return.

 

[JD 4520]

Thank you Peter 315, that makes sense. I assume the release is for the upward contraction so that the hydraulic isn’t fighting the 3 point lift. Where does each side (or hydraulic hose) connect to? Seems that one would be connected to one side or direction of one of the SCVs but the release side has to connect or dump into the non pressurized reservoir.

 

[Peter 315]

Maybe if you put the hose on a float detent valve and left it locked on float.....

 

[JD 4520]

This is the configuration I am working with at this point.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I bought my 3 pt auger, I added a long board to it with weights to add down force. That helped, but it was still hit or miss on how well it dug. Then I tried a Speeco auger that worked a lot better. It had replaceable teeth that wore out fairly quickly, but it dug a pretty good when the teeth where good. When I couldn't find any teeth, and I was desperate to get some holes drilled, I bought a Country Line auger from Tractor supply that also had replaceable teeth. This auger dug through everything like butter!!!! Now I DO NOT need any extra down force, my biggest challenge is in digging down too fast and burying the auger. My soil is very hard red clay mixed with iron ore. My full sized backhoe struggles to break through the first foot of it when digging ditches or taking out trees. That Country Line auger doesn't care how hard the dirt is, it just digs!!!

 

[Peter 315]

It looks like hyd pressure all the time to force the digger down and you adjust the pressure , extra oil flows back to the tractor unrestricted to the tank...

 

[Fallon]

When I bought my 3 pt auger, I added a long board to it with weights to add down force. That helped, but it was still hit or miss on how well it dug. Then I tried a Speeco auger that worked a lot better. It had replaceable teeth that wore out fairly quickly, but it dug a pretty good when the teeth where good. When I couldn't find any teeth, and I was desperate to get some holes drilled, I bought a Country Line auger from Tractor supply that also had replaceable teeth. This auger dug through everything like butter!!!! Now I DO NOT need any extra down force, my biggest challenge is in digging down too fast and burying the auger. My soil is very hard red clay mixed with iron ore. My full sized backhoe struggles to break through the first foot of it when digging ditches or taking out trees. That Country Line auger doesn't care how hard the dirt is, it just digs!!!

I'll 2nd this. A good auger with sharp teeth usually doesnt need down pressure... as much.

I have a high end 9" Pengo auger. Came with huge carbide frost teeth as thick & sharp as your thumb. Didnt dig for crap. Got a cheap 6" farm store auger & was using it as a pilot bit. Eventually found & switched to proper things dirt teeth on the 9". It promptly started digging well all on it's own.

I did add 200lbs of scrap steel over the top of my PHD for downpressure. But the teeth were way more important. As they wore, it stopped digging nearly as well.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have the speeco hydraulic down force kit on my phd. One hydraulic line goes to one rear remote, the other line dumps directly back into the hydraulic tank...the same adapter used on backhoe units. On the kioti you have to replace the hydraulic fill cap with a return line adapter. When I apply downforce, the ram extends. When I release pressure, nothing changes on ram, however as I raise 3 point the ram then retracts and dumps fluid back into tank. There is no power reverse.

 

[336Steven]

I have the speeco hydraulic down force kit on my phd. One hydraulic line goes to one rear remote, the other line dumps directly back into the hydraulic tank...the same adapter used on backhoe units. On the kioti you have to replace the hydraulic fill cap with a return line adapter. When I apply downforce, the ram extends. When I release pressure, nothing changes on ram, however as I raise 3 point the ram then retracts and dumps fluid back into tank. There is no power reverse.View attachment 653651

Hi,

This sounds pretty much exactly what I need for my Kioti. Also trying to install down force kit and this zero return line stumped me big time. Would be very interested in seeing how you replaced your fill cap with a return line adapter. Thanks so much. 336Steven

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

We have a hydraulic auger that mounts on FEL. Plenty of push down.

 

[grsthegreat]

Hi,

This sounds pretty much exactly what I need for my Kioti. Also trying to install down force kit and this zero return line stumped me big time. Would be very interested in seeing how you replaced your fill cap with a return line adapter. Thanks so much. 336Steven

I’ll get a picture of it tomorrow.

 

[Fallon]

We have a hydraulic auger that mounts on FEL. Plenty of push down.

That's the rout I went when I upgraded tractors.

40hp L4060 tractor, 10gpm usable flow (probably less with the lines up to the 3rd function. 14.5hp at most through the hydraulics.

32hp L3200 tractor. 25.2hp PTO.

Kind of interesting that on many machines you have in theory double the HP on the PTO. That doesn't count the fact there are lots of hydraulic losses & you rarely rev the engine past half throttle with a 3pt rig on. I can feel the significantly reduced HP on my SSQA hydraulic unit. Downpressure, reverse & ease of hookup are worth it though. The auger is way beefier on a 2" hex auger compared with a 2" round. The whole auger construction, not just the attachment point. Of course the auger cost reflects that.

I'm happy with my $2,500 hydraulic SSQA setup. Well over double the price of a 3pt right with downpressure. So it depends on how much you will use it.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

That's the rout I went when I upgraded tractors.

40hp L4060 tractor, 10gpm usable flow (probably less with the lines up to the 3rd function. 14.5hp at most through the hydraulics.

32hp L3200 tractor. 25.2hp PTO.

Kind of interesting that on many machines you have in theory double the HP on the PTO. That doesn't count the fact there are lots of hydraulic losses & you rarely rev the engine past half throttle with a 3pt rig on. I can feel the significantly reduced HP on my SSQA hydraulic unit. Downpressure, reverse & ease of hookup are worth it though. The auger is way beefier on a 2" hex auger compared with a 2" round. The whole auger construction, not just the attachment point. Of course the auger cost reflects that.

I'm happy with my $2,500 hydraulic SSQA setup. Well over double the price of a 3pt right with downpressure. So it depends on how much you will use it.

Yes but them boys pick up all the fence jobs they can get. Oil field pipe. Digger was good investment.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a rear hydraulic power pack that’s used on snowblower, so could easily gone with front hydraulic post hole digger, bu t I rarely use unit any more seeing as all my fencing is now done. I went with cheapest option.

 

[grsthegreat]

this is the piece i had to add to use hydraulic downforce kit. i got it thru my dealer. its the same kit they add if you add a backhoe...i was told. it just allows hydraulic fluid to dump back into tractor tank. it installs in place of the fluid level dip stick/fill port.

 

[336Steven]

this is the piece i had to add to use hydraulic downforce kit. i got it thru my dealer. its the same kit they add if you add a backhoe...i was told. it just allows hydraulic fluid to dump back into tractor tank. it installs in place of the fluid level dip stick/fill port.View attachment 719977View attachment 719978

Thanks GRS...I will be stopping by my dealer tomorrow. This is a huge help for me as I am knew to implements with a zero return pressure. Thanks again. Steven

 

[grsthegreat]

no problem. the adapter simply screws in. i have to remove it to do fluid change though.