Track drive control with a joystick?

[agjones]

Hi I'm making a crawler on rubber tracks and I am hoping to run both the left and right tracks using a two spool joystick valve.

Any reason I shouldn't?
Should I add a crossover relief or counterbalance valve?

And special plumbing or other considerations?

 

[RNeumann]

I can’t think of a reason to use a crossover relief. I’d rather send excessive pressure back to the tank- not into the other motor. Doing that seems like it could be dangerous- unexpected movement.

 

[oldnslo]

I presume you that you are using a fixed displacement pump so counterbalance valves should be used on both ports of each motor to prevent run away conditions. Typically these are 8:1 pilot ratio.

Joystick vs two levers: both styles depend on how well they meter for cornering and your capabilities as the operator. I.e. when turning can you feather both tracks enough to turn smoothly?

 

[agjones]

Great thx to both. I think i meant counterbalance only not either or...yes fixed displacement gear pump, 2 circuits.... I'd like to Plumb in an 'overdrive' similar to the magnatrac so I have a transport (low torque higher flow) speed and a low speed full power work speed... We'll see.
A

This think is small, under 2k#. I'm using the hydraulics from a toro dingo and a magnatrac 5000 as a rough guide. The dingo has counterbalance the magnatrac does not. Of course the dingo also has 4 wheel motors, I haven't checked against the tracked version yet... and the magnatrac has dry brakes.

Sounds like it is worth trying, no harm any way. I have similar flow & psi joystick and two handle options. I'm pretty experienced in operating track and skid-steer stuff.

I'd like to Plumb in an 'overdrive' similar to the magnatrac so I have a transport (low torque higher flow) speed and a low speed full power work speed... We'll see.

 

[ruffdog]

Deere had a skidsteer (~1981) that had a T shaped handle to control all direction. You would twist the T to turn, push forward to go forwards and back to go back.

 

[agjones]

Thx, I remember a hustler that had that T also but they're all old enough that I can't find diagrams online...

 

[oldnslo]

Gehl also had T-handle controls but these controlled the swash plate angle on two HST pumps. Not sure how the Deere models worked.

You should have to counterbalance valves or brakes to aide in turning smoother.

good luck on this project.