What size hydraulic lines

[Bradbilt]

Hey guys.

I am Not going to have time AGAIN this year to make my 3rd valve for the FEL snow plow.

I am just going to use my rear hydraulics to power it.

So now come the question. What size hoses should I be running? I think the hoses on the plow are 3/8". Is that All I need?
Also I have a grapple bucket, would the 3/8" lines be big enough to operate that? Or should I go bigger

next question, is there a standard fitting for the SSQA hoses that I should be using at the front of the loader?

 

[kennyd]

3/8" lines work fine, as do 1/4" since the plow cylinders require very little flow to operate. 1/4" is cheaper, and easier to route as well...

 

[Bradbilt]

What about the grapple bucket?

 

[k0ua]

What about the grapple bucket?

Same thing..3/8 would be fine or even the 1/4. I ran 1/2.. It was a waste and they are harder to route. I would run smaller lines if I did it over. The grapple cylinder/s are pretty small. As for the standard fitting... I used the 1/2 inch AG connectors, but there are several types in common use. Most Skid steers will us the flat face, but I used the 1/2 inch AG so at the connectors on the rear and the front would be the same.

 

[IslandTractor]

Same thing..3/8 would be fine or even the 1/4. I ran 1/2.. It was a waste and they are harder to route. I would run smaller lines if I did it over. The grapple cylinder/s are pretty small.

Agree completely. 3/8 are a bit tougher than 1/4 so perhaps more durable but 1/2 is an inflexible waste. Been there done that.

 

[kennyd]

What about the grapple bucket?

Yup, as James and IT wrote same thing. The grapple bucket cylinders are probably smaller than the plow cylinders.

 

[Bradbilt]

Ok, it sound like 3/8 is what I am looking for. I'll use the AG fittings at the rear and the Skid steer fitting for the front.

Would my new Titan grapple bucket have the skid steer fitting on it?

 

[IslandTractor]

Ok, it sound like 3/8 is what I am looking for. I'll use the AG fittings at the rear and the Skid steer fitting for the front. Would my new Titan grapple bucket have the skid steer fitting on it?

Grapples often come without quick connects unless the manufacturer specified that they are included. Typically a small grapple for a CUT would have Pioneer style Ag fittings. The flat skid steer fittings are more expensive and less common on tractors.

 

[Bradbilt]

I just went out and looked at the grapple. it has quick connects. And I am guessing skid steer style

 

[Bradbilt]

Crap. I can't ad pics from my phone?

 

[IslandTractor]

I just war out and looked at the grapple. it has quick connects. And I am guessing skid steer style

When you say "guessing skid steer style" do you know what those look like? The Ag or Pioneer style have a clear male or female ending. Most often one of each that can be connected when not in use to avoid contamination.

 

[Bradbilt]

The fitting look just like these, so I guess I will get a matching set for the plow and my tractor side hoses
1/2" Flat Face Coupler

 

[IslandTractor]

The fitting look just like these, so I guess I will get a matching set for the plow and my tractor side hoses 1/2" Flat Face Coupler

Yes, those are skid steer style. Before you buy a matching set, price two sets of Pioneer Ag style. It might be cheaper to buy four Ag than two flat face.

 

[Bradbilt]

Titan has 2 pair of AG ones for $25. My only issue with that is if I go to rent something I am guessing most rentals will be set up for Skid Steer connections

 

[IslandTractor]

Titan has 2 pair of AG ones for $25. My only issue with that is if I go to rent something I am guessing most rentals will be set up for Skid Steer connections

Not a bad price for the Ag style. I suspect a single pair of flat faced would be at least that much.

The problem with renting hydraulic implements for the SSQA is that other than a grapple and perhaps a post hole digger, skid steer implements tend to require high output hydraulics that virtually no CUT has. You won't see many discussions on TBN about renting front implements for that reason.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The grapple that is bolted on to my bucket has 1/4 lines. My open grapple bucket with 2 grapple lids has 3/8 lines but each cylinder has a restrictor orifice that is smaller then 1/8 to keep everything synchronized.

Unless you have restrictors your closing rate may be quite fast.

David

 

[Bradbilt]

Not a bad price for the Ag style. I suspect a single pair of flat faced would be at least that much.

The problem with renting hydraulic implements for the SSQA is that other than a grapple and perhaps a post hole digger, skid steer implements tend to require high output hydraulics that virtually no CUT has. You won't see many discussions on TBN about renting front implements for that reason.

yeah, my tractor has Serious amount of hydraulic flow since it is an industrial machine

The grapple that is bolted on to my bucket has 1/4 lines. My open grapple bucket with 2 grapple lids has 3/8 lines but each cylinder has a restrictor orifice that is smaller then 1/8 to keep everything synchronized.

Unless you have restrictors your closing rate may be quite fast.

David

The lines on the grapple appear to be 1/2 or larger. IIRC they are also "T"d between the cylinders to give the fame flow to each one. Not sure on a restrictor or not. Still in the shipping crate from 2 years ago

 

[IslandTractor]

yeah, my tractor has Serious amount of hydraulic flow since it is an industrial machine

You should probably check on the hydraulic output. If you are talking about the 260C, the lift capacity is about 2800lbs and PTO is about 50hp from what I can tell. I would not assume you have high output hydraulics as with a similar HP skid steer. Sounds like a large CUT or more accurately a 60hp utility tractor and neither of those types typically have high output hydraulics.

 

[k0ua]

When you say high output, can you quantify that? My tractor has a bit over 9 GPM, but that is no where near high output like a skid steer might have. We are talking 25 or 30 GPM out of a skid steer or more.

 

[CJONE]

High output for skid steers is usually 20+ gpm. most tractors are up to about 14 gpm. Anytime someone tells me they are using a highoutput circuit on a skid steer I will shoot for 25gpm to size the motor. CJ