Slowing Down a Hydraulic Function

[Ductape]

I took my new backhoe out for a little test run yesterday...... dug a hole in the back yard to try it out. I found that, even at idle..... the up and down on the main boom worked way too fast. Just the slightest touch on the joystick caused it to jump, shaking the whole tractor in the process. Every other function seemed to move at a more comfortable, controllable pace. Is it possible to slow down one function, without slowing down everything else? I have read here in the past (before there was a hydraulics forum), of people using some type of restrictor in-line, to slow their hydraulics. If one function can't be done alone, then i would probably opt for slowing down everything a bit.... as obviously raising the idle would increase speed.
For the record, my hoe is a Woods BH6000, which appears to have quarter inch lines on all functions, but is fed from my tractor with 3/8 lines. My tractor pumps approximately 5 gpm @ just under 2000 psi.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[radman1]

I have purchased 3/8" and 1/2" pipe thread restrictors for TSC. A hydraulic manufacturer/supplier should also have them. The hole is very small and probably too restrictive for what you want. The predrilled hole appears about 1/16" in size. However, just drill the hole slightly larger. Experiment with the size that works. You should be able to put the restrictor on just the hoses/cylinder for the main boom to acheive the desired effect. For 1/4" hoses and fittings, use adapters to go from 1/4" to 3/8" then an adapter for 3/8" back to 1/4".
I would not put the restrictor on the main line. It will make it way to slooooow. Also, any restriction just raises the heat produced in the hydraulics, which is what you don't want and makes your pump work harder and wear out faster. As you become more proficient at using the backhoe, you will want more flow to dig faster.
The other way to control the main boom is to gently just move the control lever slightly to open the valve part way and in effect reduce the flow. This takes more time and patience.

 

[MJPetersen]

WHAT Scott you went and used your new hoe and DID NOT take any pics?

Once you get used to using it and have practiced you will get smoother and it will be SO SLOW that you will get bored waiting for the boom to lift. It is true it seems too fast now, but after some time it will seem to slow down.

When you were learning to drive at first 50 mph seems fast, but now not so huh?

Mike

pics please!!!

 

[Ductape]

Well..... i will leave it as-is for now. Perhaps more seat time is what i need. I've run backhoes and excavators in the past, so its not a matter of being totally green. Of course, i'm not trying to say i'm smoooooth at it either. Just seems as though the main boom up and down is much faster than the other functions, even with the valve just slightly open.

Mike, i have been taking pictures. I had some gussets cut at the local welding shop yesterday, and have spent most of my day welding today. My subframe is still many hours from being done, but during my "test fit" earlier, i felt i had enough welds on it for a little easy digging. I will continue my thread on my subframe tonight or tomorrow. Stay tuned !! I'll give a little tease with this though....

 

[MJPetersen]

Careful you might wear the name off the side of the bucket!!!

I will wait for more detail.

Mike

 

[3RRL]

Scott,
My backhoe is fast like yours on the main boom when I operate it ALONE. I've become a better operator and have since found I am mostly moving the boom, dipper stick and bucket simultaneously...even starting to swing out while I'm approaching the top of the hole...by "feathering" the valve in all directions. Doing so makes a big difference in how fast it all works together. IMHO, I would wait to restrict any lines until you get used to your brand new backhoe a little bit more.
It sure looks like a really nice unit!

 

[tommu56]

ducttape

As Rob said about the cordinated moves!

On some equipment (mine has it on swing) there is a flow control valve built in to valve block. I had to tweek mine to get and even speed from side to side.

My service manual showed the flow controls.

tom

 

[Ductape]

Thanks everyone,
I'll take everyones advice and leave it as-is till i can put some hours on it. I did get the manual, so i'll take a look to see if it can be tweaked. Perhaps once i get used to it, i will find it to be where it needs to be.

Scott

 

[hill]

Thanks everyone,
I'll take everyones advice and leave it as-is till i can put some hours on it. I did get the manual, so i'll take a look to see if it can be tweaked. Perhaps once i get used to it, i will find it to be where it needs to be.
Scott

I'd bet that you'll find no reason to make a change, adding my vote to the 'it'll grow on you' commentary.

what you've described is very similar to my first reaction to my backhoe - "Whoa!" describes it best.

Now, after not many hours at all (like maybe four BH specific hours) it's reacting very nicely to my smallest whim , and I find myself wishing for a little more pressure sometimes in order to speed things up.

 

[srjones]

I'm resurrecting this thread because I have a similar problem, but I'm not quite sure how to address it. There are times when I'm lifting (with the FEL) something rather heavy, and I want to VERY VERY GENTLY set it down.

More often than not, I end up giving it too much and the load comes down much quicker that I'd like, either abruptly stopping at ground level or bouncing the whole tractor if I bring the joystick back.

I've tried the feathering thing, but it only seems to work with two hands. I've also thought about extending the joystick another foot (or having another joystick made like that) that would be for special 'fine operations.' However, in most cases this would be just get in the way.

Ideally, I'd like to install an adjustable flow restrictor (either variable or on/off) but I don't know where in the circuit it should be installed.

My question is, should I do that on the supply side or the exhaust side?

I was thinking about something like this:

Buyers Flow Control Valve-1/4in. | Adjustable Flow Valves | Northern Tool + Equipment

Thanks,

-Steve