Vtek controller valve

[currierej]

I have a vtek loader and I'm trying to find out which port is the power beyond port.
In this picture I'm thinking that the top port power beyond, the next one is pressure in, then two hoses for one cylinder, two hoses for the other cylinder, an unknown port and on the bottom of the picture is the return line.

 

[K5lwq]

I might be missing something but I only see 5 hoses in your picture. I would think there should be 2 more on the side we can't see. One would be Tank return line and one would be Power beyond if this is a open system. Often times if you clean valve well you will see a T for tank on the tank port. Should be 7 hose total. Hope that helps.

 

[currierej]

There is a return line at the very bottom, mostly hidden by the red bracket.
I want to add another line for power beyond, just not sure which of the two capped ports it would go to.

 

[K5lwq]

So currently you only have six hoses. That would mean it is a closed system as far as I am aware. The capped port to the right of your work ports possibly could be converted to PB but you would have to have a kit which is usually a set screw and a fitting. Some valves can't be converted. Hopefully someone with more insight will chime in.

 

[texasranger556]

Funny enough your picture shows a "P" in black near the top and a "T" in rust at the bottom. As mentioned already, you'll most likely need a power beyond plug or sleeve depending how the valve is designed, if it's convertible. I'm not familiar with the brand.

 

[oldnslo]

In most valves the tank & power beyond ports are the same end of the valve. Like K5 states you will have to determine if your valve can be converted to have power beyond and then verify which port is Power beyond and which is tank. Do NOT assume the existing tank connection is tank since without the power beyond feature either port can be used for tank.

 

[aczlan]

So currently you only have six hoses. That would mean it is a closed system as far as I am aware. The capped port to the right of your work ports possibly could be converted to PB but you would have to have a kit which is usually a set screw and a fitting. Some valves can't be converted. Hopefully someone with more insight will chime in.

It could be open center, but not power beyond. If it is, you can add another valve before it and run a new line to the tank. It may also be able to be converted to power beyond (the high pressure out would probably be the blank plug in the bottom right of the picture), but you would need to find the manufacture of the valve to get the right plug and find out where it goes.

Aaron Z

 

[currierej]

I think I have a solution, the valve I bought can easily be converted to closed center, so if I tee the input to the loader valve and run a line to the input of the new valve and then run a line from the output (tank) of the new valve and tee it into the return line everything should work.
With it being closed center the only time oil would flow thru the new valve is when it is being used meanwhile the oil flows normally thru the loader valve.
Both valves are on the right so only one is actuated at a time.
This way I don't have to try to use the power beyond.

 

[K5lwq]

I would encourage you to research more information about your valve. As Aaron pointed out, your valve could be open center but no power beyond. I don't mind teeing tank returns but would not tee the incoming power line.

 

[texasranger556]

I think I have a solution, the valve I bought can easily be converted to closed center, so if I tee the input to the loader valve and run a line to the input of the new valve and then run a line from the output (tank) of the new valve and tee it into the return line everything should work.
With it being closed center the only time oil would flow thru the new valve is when it is being used meanwhile the oil flows normally thru the loader valve.
Both valves are on the right so only one is actuated at a time.
This way I don't have to try to use the power beyond.

Don't do that. You would have to dead end the loader valve somehow to divert oil to your new valve, otherwise the path of least resistance is through your loader valve to tank.

Then with the loader valve dead ended, when the spools in the new valve you set up for closed center are in the neutral position, all your oil flow will be forced over the relief valve which is not good.

In an open center system you need to configure the upstream valve with power beyond, whether it's converting your existing valve or you plumb the new valve upstream of the existing loader valve using it's power beyond port (if it has one).

It is fine to tee the tank returns.

 

[currierej]

I see what you're saying, I was thinking that there would be enough pressure, didn't think about it free flowing.

 

[currierej]

So I'm back to trying to figure out if my controller is capable of power beyond and if so how to enable it.

 

[CincyFlyer]

So currently you only have six hoses. That would mean it is a closed system as far as I am aware. The capped port to the right of your work ports possibly could be converted to PB but you would have to have a kit which is usually a set screw and a fitting. Some valves can't be converted. Hopefully someone with more insight will chime in.

Actually, you can have an open center loader valve with only six total ports. Heck, my backhoe has a single feed and a single exhaust line, with eight valves in between. The cylinder dump goes into the PB line, which then goes to the 3-point lift.

 

[currierej]

What if I remove the input line from the loader controller and hooked it to the input of the new valve and then run the output of the new valve to the input of the loader valve?
The oil would free flow thru the new valve and then run into the loader valve and run back to the tank, I'd only be able to run one valve at a time but that's what I'm planning anyway.

 

[aczlan]

What if I remove the input line from the loader controller and hooked it to the input of the new valve and then run the output of the new valve to the input of the loader valve?
The oil would free flow thru the new valve and then run into the loader valve and run back to the tank, I'd only be able to run one valve at a time but that's what I'm planning anyway.

That should work, just make sure that your new valve can handle the full pressure of your hydraulic system as back pressure on the outlet port. Some valves can ( like the backhoe valve of the poster a couple posts up) but other valves are limited to 800 PSI or less on the output side.

Aaron Z

 

[currierej]

Just checked, only rated to 150 psi on tank port, many bad words being used.

 

[texasranger556]

What brand/model is it? Does it have a PB port?

 

[currierej]

Prince single spool, does not have PB

 

[K5lwq]

Do you know the model number for your Prince valve and maybe a picture? The Prince valve might be easier to convert to Power Beyond then you could do as Texasranger and you have said and just plumb the prince valve upstream from your loader valve.

 

[currierej]

I just checked and Northern Tool has a similar valve with power beyond and it's only $10 more than the one I thought was going to work.
I'll be exchanging valves tomorrow and then I should be set.