I really appreciate reading the reply posts by Fallon, Tx Jim and JJ. Since my first post here I went back and researched all the articles in this thread (all 11 pages!). I learned a lot and the voodoo monster of the mysterious world of hydraulics started to fade. But not quite yet. I read in a post by JJ that he writes clearly to help readers from all backgrounds to understand his advice. At that point I realized my questions were not formed well and thus I only found partial answers so far. So I have created this long discussion that include images to restate my request.
But before I get into my recast questions, I have a cyber disaster to share with you all. My professional and private lives have been a cascade of weird and catastrophic events. Is it because we have progressed in our technology that we have outstripped our ability to manage viruses, scams, phishing, spying, and all other kinds of cyber shenanigans? Or is it a benign cause, we have just run off and have so many new technologies we can no longer keep up with them? The Federal government, Sony and other major players have had their websites invaded almost at will. My issue this morning began when I got up at 4:30 AM and started this long post on my pad. I don’t type. It is all hunt and peck. Right before I went to post my lengthy and hard-won writings on the forum, I opened another window to insert in the links to my photos on Photobucket. When I returned to the forum after only 5 minutes to paste in my links it was gone!!!! I decided to rewrite the whole thing on my laptop and cut and paste the text into the forum. So after a while I resumed my quest but this time on a laptop with a full keyboard in MS Word and saves about every 10 seconds. However, when I powered up the Word program my McAfee virus control popped up on the screen and had me shutdown and log off because of a Trojan horse virus. Photobucket went into my smart phone and grabbed all my personal photos and videos and loaded them on their site. Some of which I would not want my mother, my wife or my employer to see or to particularly to hear/see the videos! It took me an hour to figure out how to delete them all. So after that reboot here I am back at the task at hand.
Back to my questions and this thread. In my first post I wrote that the diverter/solenoid valve I bought on Surplus Supply over 6 years ago was not on their website anymore. I was wrong. I found it on their site and a couple photos (e.g., Photos 1 and 2) of it are attached. Each photo has a caption and a description in Photobucket that relates to my questions. My tractor is in Arkansas 6-hours drive away and I am in Mississippi, so these photos are all I can post at this time. But to reemphasize my questions I will also list them in this post by number.
1. Is my diverter actually a solenoid or both? Is it a “diverter/solenoid”?
2. Should I install a needle valve to allow feathering before or after the diverter/solenoid?
3. I bought this diverter/solenoid about 6 years ago when I knew less about hydraulics than I do now. Was I lucky or what? It is a 15 GPM unit, Model 9-5117 and my Kubota system is an 8.2 GPM. Any concerns there? They do sell one with less flow. Model 9-5117-A with 6 GPM for the same price. If needed they might exchange it.
4. There are two solenoids on the diverter/solenoid. Did I buy 2 x what I needed? Is each solenoid to control 2 separate functions? Is this similar to the two spool joysticks found on the internet?
5. On the block of the divertor/solenoid there are markings by each port; as follows: on the back side it has two ports, VE and VR. Does the E stand for entry and the R stand for Return? What does the V stand for? On the front face it has 4 ports; 1E, 2E, 1R and 2R. Any insight into these markings?
6. As stated before my goal is to have at least 4 remotes in the back and a “3rd function” in the front for a grapple. I also am looking into a Joystick controller sited between the operator’s seat and the fender. That could run two functions, right? Like top/tilt? In a sense it is like my diverter/solenoid except it will allow for feathering and other advantages? So I could have it run 2 of my remotes, so there would be two less valves to buy and install on the fender? I am still researching the idea of a joystick, as they about $300 on
Surplus Center for a 2-spool joystick and $200 on Ebay. But I am not sure they both are equivalent as the Ebay unit ad does not indicate it is 2-spools. They could be only single function joysticks.
7. You will see some more photos (Numbers 3 and 4) that show the FEL quick connects. They are color coded by the dust covers; blue, red, white and yellow. I read a post on this forum about a smaller Kubota tractor that had the same color taped onto their FEL couplers and they said their blue color was the Power Beyond. Is the
L3240 coded the same way? I have a Kubota
L3240 Service Manual I got a pdf download from EBay for $9.99. It has poor resolution and is blurry on zooming in. It is also not color. So it is not much use. I guess I should spring for the print copy for $150.00+. I also cannot find the term “Power Beyond” in the manual. Does Kubota use another term for Power Beyond?
8. The next set of photos, 5-8, are of where my hydraulic lines go into the transaxle/3 point system. One photo has a very tempting plug that hopefully could be used as the site of the return oil line or the source of the Power Beyond circuit? If you would please indicate which line one is the Power Beyond and which is the return flow to the “tank” in these photos. Fallon wrote he had a junction in his lines under his foot about half way. I could not find any junctions on my
L3240. It was 4 solid steel lines from the disconnect at the FEL until the transaxle.
9. Where should I tie into my hydraulic system; (1) at the FEL disconnects; or (2) at the transaxle ends of the solid lines, or (3) cut into my hard lines anywhere, and put in a “T”?
10. I plan as suggested here to build my brackets for all my valves and controls and mount them to measure for the flow lines. I understand there are hose makers on the forum that are reasonable. There is also a hydraulic hose builder in Mountain Home, AR that is very reasonable. I will comparison shop when I get my specifications. I plan to use as advised all JIC fittings as allowable. I think I will have one valve body with a detent for a log splitter and the rest open, but I need to do more research to decide on SV, power beyond, etc.. Need to go back to the forum! I like the mounting of the QDC fittings on the roll bar rather than the fender but still pondering it.
11. Lastly, what size hoses should I have built? I believe most of the ports will be SAE 8 and my flow will be 8.3 GPH. I understand the smaller diameter hose is cheaper but if not matched to your system it can cause overheating of oil and other issues. Larger diameter hoses should make it run cooler, but cost more. I am inclined to pay more for less problems down the road. So the question is should I buy ¼, 3/8, or ½ inch hoses? (my computer won’t let me change the font on 3/8!! Like I wrote earlier! They are inside my head!).
So you can read I have been studying the forum threads, even picking up some of the lingo and maybe the mental illnesses. But this is like building your first house (or having one built), you most likely will never do it again.
I guess my primary question is where are my PB and return flow lines so I don’t hack into it. Your time and attention to my questions is greatly appreciated.
I just came off a traumatic experience converting my generator over to propane. That is another extremely tumultuous adventure best left for another thread.
Contact me by email, forum, phone or text
Buddy
337-257-4813
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