Types of remotes-have I goofed up?

[N80]

I've just 'ordered' my L4400 with FEL and rear remote hydraulic hook-up. I got the remote added because I have access to a tag-along rotary mower with a ram for height adjustment.

The mower belongs to an in-law but is there for me to use when I want. Well, after I ordered the remote my brother-in-law tells me to make sure it is a 'pipe thread' fitting.

I thought all the hydraulic connections where standard and did not tell the dealer anything specific about what type I needed, nor did he ask me what type I needed.

Anyone know what type of remotes they install on Kubotas or if I needed to specify? Is 'pipe thread' the standard connection? And if I do end up with the wrong thing, are there adapters?

Thanks.

 

[tjkadar]

I believe you won't have any problem finding an adapter to make sure things will connect quickly and easily. I'm not real sure what your in-law means when he says 'pipe thread.' Generally it is used to describe the type of thread used at the connection and not a 'quick connect, dry break' type connection.

Here is a quick blurb on hydraulic connection types:
Ports - Connectors that incorporate an elastomeric seal such as UNO, BSPP and SAE 4-bolt flange offer the highest seal reliability. NPT (National Pipe Tapered or thread) is the least reliable type of connector for high-pressure hydraulic systems because the thread itself provides a leak path. The threads are deformed when tightened and as a result, any subsequent loosening or tightening increases the potential for leaks. In existing systems, pipe thread connections should be replaced with UNO or BSPP for leak-free reliability.

You're probably going to have to look at exactly what type of hyrdaulic hose connection is on the mower, take a picture of it (digital cameras are great for this), and then show the picture to your dealer or local hydraulic hose company. I'm sure they'll be able to set up without too much trouble.

 

[MadReferee]

The Kubota rear remote comes with a female quick coupler, probably 3/8 or 1/2. What you have to do is to get a male coupler end of the same size and fit it to your implement.

Any hydraulic shop or even your dealer will have one and if needed they should have an adapter to go from the implement threads to the male QC threads. It's no big deal and it's done all the time.

Talk to your dealer, he will know what you need.

 

[Stef]

I'm rather picky about lending or borrowing implements connecting to my hydraulic system. Be certain that the hydraulic fluid in the implement is of good quality because when you connect it to your tractor fluids will mix. If your tractor is HST this is very important.

Sorry... I just looked and the the transmission on a L4400 can only be a gear-drive. But it changes nothing for your FEL or BH or anything else you can plug to your system.

And yes, there are adapters. I changed my auxiliary valves this Spring and the connections weren't the same size. I bought bigger couplers and adapters (in fact, my dealer gave them to me because he installed my new valves and I told him that the connections on my snowblower weren't of the same diameter). Those little adapters are rather cheap and common, so don't worry about that.

 

[Junkman]

You can always flush out the old fluid before you hook up the second line by removing the quick disconnect and putting the old oil into 1 gallon milk cartons. This only takes a minute or so and a helper that understands what you are doing makes it go even faster. You might not get it all out, but enough that it shouldn't contaminate your system if you run a gallon through it. Don't forget to refill your tractor before you start working the implement..

 

[N80]

I hadn't thought about mixing fluids. This is an old mower, but everything was recently rebuilt including the hydraulics. Since then it hasn't gotten much use and I think I'll be the only one using it and maintianing it for the most part....so it will more or less be my responsibility to keep things clean.

As far as the fittings, I've looked and Northern Tool and Tractor Supply have the quick connect fittings. So it seems like I haven't screwed up, yet.

I'll check with my brother-in-law to find out which size he has. I'm assuming that as long as the implement end is bigger than the pump end everything is okay? (I know very little about hydraulics).

It seems like he must have qucik connects on it. I can't imagine using a wrench everytime he wanted to connect a mower. But, the tractor is going to be delivered to his barn lot so we'll see how things hook up. Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[Junkman]

The number and design of quick disconnects are endless. If you are going to be sharing this implement and don't want to be changing quick disconnects on the hoses all the time, consider having a 6" piece of hydraulic hose made up with yours and his quick disconnects on each side. This adapter hose will convert your design quick disconnect to his design quick disconnect. You will need one of his and one of yours at each end. Two hoses will complete the adapter set and there will be no more problems... (his QD) %--------------& (your QD) Hope you understand.. Junk..

 

[Stef]

Junkman, can I put the old oil in something else than 1 gallon milk cartons or is it a must?

... just kidding /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You gave me a good idea for a nasty joke though. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[N80]

Yep, got it, that makes sense. He probably has everything we need in his shop, and chances are he'll quide me through this. I'm just trying to educate myself so I at least have an idea what's going on.

 

[N80]

Hey folks, as has been mentioned, the Kubota remote is the quick connect type. But to answer my own question, the remote comes with a set of male conncetors that fit it and those connectors have 1/2" NPT female threads on the other end.

However, the mechanic said that different Kubotas have different units. I don't know if that means that the just the valve is different or if the connectors are too.