Priority flow valve question

[svon89]

I have a kubota 245DT with power assist steering and hydraulically lifted 3 point. The pressure comes from a pump on the engine, then goes to what the parts manual calls a priority flow valve, then to the power assist and 3 point hitch. The flow and pressure upto the valve is good. But I do not want to take apart the valve until I understand it better. There is a small picture of it in the manual in the reference area, but I can't find a view of the valve.

There is a large bolt(or cap) on the top and then a plug in the side that would be removed with an allen wrench. If anyone has any experience with these it would be great. I could really use to have the 3 point hitch working well.

Thanks
Stephen

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Hello Stephen,

First of all, what's going on with your system that you need to work on it? The priority valve is just that. Anytime you have a hydraulic system controlling steering and anything else, they install a priority valve. The valve sends fluid to the steering first. As much as the pump will give, whenever the steering calls for it, and all else is allowed to go wherever else. You always want to have steering. All else doesn't matter. You lose steering, you're a dead duck. Unless you really know what you are doing, I wouldn't mess with it. There is a cartridge in there similar to a relief valve that will port more fluid to steering when it demands it and port the rest elsewhere. I have worked on systems with priority valves for many years and have never had to touch one. Unless you have gauges, service manual, and hydraulic knowledge, I advise not to mess with it. Like I say, lose your steering, you're a dead duck. Let that responsibility fall on the repair shop.

Sorry for my rant, I felt the need to make a point. For your protection, trust me. Now, give us some details of your problem and let's see if we can help you out. Post a hydraulic schematic if you can.
Andy.

 

[kennyd]

WCH is 100% correct as usual. Please tell us what problem you are trying to correct.

 

[svon89]

Thanks for the reply. My system is a manual steering with a power assist feature. Right now the power assist is not working(well it does a little) same with the 3 point hitch(lifts slowly, and only with very little load). I have hydraulic experience, but not for several years. I have never had anything with power assisted steering, so never had a priority flow valve. I had let a friend borrow my pressure gauges and fittings, so until I see him this weekend I will not be able to verify pressure.

Flow on the input side of the valve is profuse, but after the valve it is about a gallon per hour , that is why I was wondering how the internal workings of the valve functioned.

So even without the hydraulics to the steering it functions, the reason for it is to assist with the loader on the tractor.

I wish I could post a schematic, but I can't draw using computer programs, and can't scan anything in because my scanner died.

This is what I could find from the parts manual.
Thanks for the quick replies.
Stephen

 

[Wayne County Hose]

First mistake. Don't loan out tools. "Friends" used to ask me to borrow tools. I would ask them if they would like to remain friends. If yes, bring over the project and I will do it, they can help. Really, I am a nice guy. I have a lot of friends. I would rather just do the job rather than loaning out my equipment. I knew something was up when one of my friends kept asking to borrow an oil filter wrench every 3,000 miles.

I don't know if a pressure gauge is going to help. Sounds like if anything, a flow issue. Flow gauges are expensive. Well, on second thought, check the pressure going in and coming out of the priority valve. The priority valve may also have an integral relief valve. This may not be much help. Sorry for the rambling, I'm typing as I think. I am a 2 finger typer and my thoughts are still slower. The parts diagram is kind of small. When I blow it up, it gets fuzzy. Really need a hydraulic schematic for this machine. Can anyone else help out with that?