Seriously?! This slot on my L3800 isn't for anything?

[gocards1177]

So I've had my L3800 for a week now and it has all of 3 hours on it. BTW, I'm very happy.

I'm already salivating over the idea of adding a grapple and have been pouring over the threads on TBN related to grapples and hydraulics. A diverter is fine, but I'm most interested in the option of powering the grapple with rear remotes, since I don't think I'll be a heavy grapple user and having at least one rear remote offers other options for other rear implements.

I called my dealer this week to see the price on adding a rear remote and he said ~$900. This seems high to me, but what is even more concerning is that it won't be a lever in the slot that's already on my tractor. It will be an additional spool/lever attached to the ROPS. This isn't bad, but I was hoping to use the slot that's already there for at least one remote. See picture.

I've spent a lot of time looking with particular interest at Chilly's and Teg's threads on this subject.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/188519-adding-rear-remote-kubota-l3400-2.html

I don't mind fabricating my own setup. I've never been one to obsess over empty factory knockouts in the dash of my vehicles that didn't have every single options. But I found on another forum how this slot may be only available for a remote lever overseas?

Open Center hydraulic control valve question - Kubota Review - Kubota Tractors

Maybe I'm confused and this slot is for some other feature on the L3800? As I get into this I may decide one remote isn't enough and this is a non-issue. However, I if I decide on one remote, I guess I'll just figure out a way to stick a lever in this empty slot.

Thanks for any insight on this.
Nathan

 

[tractorshopper]

Re: Seriously?! This slot on my L38000 isn't for anything?

I didn't get cruise on mine and figured that's maybe where the cruise was supposed to go. I'll look more closely when I get on it next time. I tried to find photos on Kubota.com, but only saw that the PTO is now a knob and not like your's or mine. I'll look at my brochure too to see if has anything about that slot in it or the owners manuals.

 

[gocards1177]

No, it's not for the cruise, but good thought. I did get the cruise and it's on the left next to the range selector.

That reminds me: I looked through my manual and through the literature earlier this week, and there's nothing about that slot anywhere. I even noticed that the slot from the picture I showed is in several illustrations in the manual, but there's no reference to it and it's always empty.
Nathan

 

[Gem99ultra]

I have a similar L3400 with the same empty slot. I think I saw in the Shop Manual that the slot would house the Float control. I was looking for the Float control on mine and was disappointed that it did not have that feature. I'd sure have ordered it if I'd known that it wasn't standard.

 

[Ductape]

I'm not sure how easy it will be to add a rear remote lever into that slot unless it is a cable actuated valve........ but things like that are generally limited by budget. just depends how much $$$ you are willing to spend.

If you want to add a single rear remote, I'm going to try to convince you to do a multi..... with a minimum of two rear remotes (but three or four would be better). Reason being........ the cost of tapping into your tractor's hydraulics, along with making up the hoses to the valve, are going to be same no matter what. It's just a little more to have dual (or more) remotes (a higher priced valve, and a couple more fittings and quick connects).

I don't think the price was high from your dealer..... maybe half in parts and half in shop labor. It's what I'd expect from a dealership. I would recommend you do your own install, so it ends up being the way you want, and not what's easiest for the dealer to install. It sounds like you have a fair handle on it. There are plenty of members here who will be glad to help if you have any questions while you do your install.

 

[gocards1177]

Thanks Ductape, I know in the bottom of my heart that you're right about multiple instead of one remote. I need to take a closer look, but I wonder if I cut the flange off that holds the purposeless slot if there would be enough room to attach a 3 or 4 spool lever to the fender in it's place. That would be nice right there next to the seat.

The locations and fabricating mounts doesn't seem too intimidating, but I am worried about the routing of hoses and right connections. I've read through the best threads on here for several hours, and it still confusing. I think I need to read the threads on my phone while I'm standing next to my tractor.

 

[RobertN]

Your manual should show what that slot is. My old B8200HSTD manual showed all that kind of stuff. So does the manual for my current NH TC40D.

That price is not awful. It sound though, like they want to put aftermarket valve etc on the ROPS. It is generally a lot less expensive to do that than to use the factory parts.

I made my TnT for my B8200HSTD about 10 years ago; it still came out to around a grand... But that is valvle, hoses, top and side cylinders.

I have the slots for three remotes on my TC40D. But, NH wants $500-600 for each valve. Not counting any installation etc. It would sure look nicer than a rops mounted add-on though...

 

[RobertN]

Ps... Add at least two spools(TnT is awesome!). If you can, get a three spool valve, even if you do not uses it right away. And, adda power-beyond circuit in case you ever run a log splitter etc.

 

[creekbend]

I am not familiar with the L3800. I have a L4400 and the slot for the Draft Control Lever is next to slot for the Position Control Lever on mine. Best wishes.

 

[gocards1177]

I'll look again in case I missed it. I think there's several illustrations in the manual that show the slot, but there's no label.