What's the best loader valve?

[Roger66]

I have a Mahindra 1526. It's a great tractor. One thing that does not work so well is the loader valve. Overall it works and holds properly, but fine adjustments are tricky, especially trying to lower a heavy load slowly and smoothly. Also to try and slowly and precisely curl it up. It's been like this since new, so it's not worn out, but perhaps a cheap valve? For normal loader dirt work it's not at all an issue, but for precise pallet fork work it's a challenge. I'm wondering if I should just swap out the loader valve with a higher quality valve. Any suggestions on who makes a premium quality loader valve? My tractor flows 7.5 GPM. I can fabricate or modify anything necessary to mate a different better valve to this machine. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Tx Jim]

You could consider installing an adjustable flow control valve($25) to limit GPM flow to FEL control valve. I installed a similar valve on a Kubota M4900 FEL so 1000# rd bales could be controlled easier & bales not drop so fast.

 

[BeezFun]

I don't know if just changing the valve will help. I've used some tractors that were smooth as silk and others that were really hard to operate. All name brand equipment, some models within one brand are great, other models are not. So I'm guessing there's a lot more to it than just picking the right valve otherwise manufacturers would always get it right.

 

[Roger66]

I have some of these flow control valves in my hydraulics stash and I've been considering trying that tactic. I was just wondering if there a premium valve out there that would just be nicer all around. I don't mind spending some $$ if it resolves this annoyance. I have some Prince SV12 sections in my stash, could use them and add a joystick kit just wondering if there is a better option. Why is it all tractors I've used have (IMO) poor valves, but a mini excavator can be controlled so much more precisely?

 

[LittleBill21]

I have some of these flow control valves in my hydraulics stash and I've been considering trying that tactic. I was just wondering if there a premium valve out there that would just be nicer all around. I don't mind spending some $$ if it resolves this annoyance. I have some Prince SV12 sections in my stash, could use them and add a joystick kit just wondering if there is a better option. Why is it all tractors I've used have (IMO) poor valves, but a mini excavator can be controlled so much more precisely?

because they use a different type of valve that uses pilot valves and electric solenoids. drop the rpm to idle if you need slower control, or add a restrictor like mentioned.

 

[PILOON]

I'd say that TX Jim made an excellent suggestion, slowing the flow will reduce the speed without reducing the pressure.
You can go adjustable (as he showed) or fixed for even cheaper.
Heck I even DIY'd once by welding a fitting shut and followed by drilling a tiny hole.

 

[oldnslo]

A good quality valve would benefit your loader control but the problem is finding one with individual load checks, float, power beyond that also has excellent metering is a challenge. To really get good repeatable control the valve spool should also have pressure compensation for each spool and have asymmetrical spool so that flow paths are matched to cylinder ratios .

Flow control is a fix that will help at a much lower cost.

 

[Roger66]

I'm going to try changing the valve to a Prince LVT Loader Valve 10GPM LVT1GR5AB7. I believe this is worth a try. I'll likely also add the adjustable flow control valves as well to fine tune it. I'll post back if this was worthwhile or a waste of money once I get it plumed in. Again if all you were doing is dirt work or gravel work the stock valve is totally fine, but when you have a precarious load on a pallet with a non self leveling loader, you need precise control.

 

[rScotty]

I have some of these flow control valves in my hydraulics stash and I've been considering trying that tactic. I was just wondering if there a premium valve out there that would just be nicer all around. I don't mind spending some $$ if it resolves this annoyance. I have some Prince SV12 sections in my stash, could use them and add a joystick kit just wondering if there is a better option. Why is it all tractors I've used have (IMO) poor valves, but a mini excavator can be controlled so much more precisely?

I know exactly what you mean, but don't know why some valves are that way and others are not. It might even be a deliberate difference rather than quality - more about that below.. .

Like you, I've wondered if it could have to do with the way the way the valves are machined. Here is what I do know: Our Kubota M59 TLB has the most accurate and precise loader and backhoe valves I've ever tried. Remarkable control. You could peel an apple with those controls. When stacking rocks for a stone wall I can gently move the bucket up against a 500 lb rock and then scoot it ever so little in any direction - maybe a quarter of in inch at a time .... and with perfect control. Both my wife and I have no problem working in the garden with that TLB's accurate bucket.

On the other hand, our larger JD310SG certainly didn't scrimp on quality anywhere. New, it cost twice what the Kubota TLB did. But it has loader and backhoe control valves on both ends that just will not make fine movements - although I will say the the loader is somewhat more accurate than the hoe. Maybe the valves are worn, but I don't think so. Moving the lever ever so slightly, the backhoe bucket doesn't move at all, and then suddenly moves very rapidly a few inches. It has the same width bucket as the Kubota, but we wouldn't dream of using it in the garden. I won't let anyone stand within ten feet of the backhoe when it is being used.

Here's an odd thing though: An old timer operated our JD310SG doing a job for us one day and without being asked he commented later that he liked that old machine because it had the optional "long-throw controls" that were designed for speed rather than small movement accuracy. I've never heard that before and have wondered since then if he knew what he was talking about or if it was just babble & opinion.

Bottom line is I don't know the answer to your question either. If the difference is something like control valve quality, I don't even know what to ask for. But amglad you asked the question and will surely watch this thread to learn more.
rScotty

 

[Roger66]

I wouldn't be surprised if the speed vs accuracy thing might come into play. This tractor is designed for bucket work not fork work and it does bucket work just fine. Typically for bucket work you want speed. The part that does not make sense is you would think the long throw controls would be more accurate and the short throw controls would be faster. Time will tell if the prince valve is any better. It's kind of a shot in the dark, but as they say you fail at 100% of the things you don't try. If I don't like the Prince valve I may just try another.

 

[rScotty]

SNIP....... The part that does not make sense is you would think the long throw controls would be more accurate and the short throw controls would be faster. SNIP.....

Yes, I had the exact same thought. I'm just repeating what I was told - and that by only one individual - but that is what he said and he has a similar JD310.

I should add one more piece to the puzzle is that the JD controls really are big levers with noticibly long throws. I had noticed that when buying it.

The Kubota levers are much shorter and have a noticeably shorter throw but still give better control for small motions. Also the Kubota controls are still controllable when there is a load on the bucket. That's a major difference that I should have mentioned before.
rScotty

 

[Roger66]

All of the Kubota fan boys consistently brag on their loader valves. This could be a point for Kubota when tractor shopping, but on the test drive you never have the opportunity to unload a heavy pallet from a truck and bring it safely to earth. A empty bucket is a useless test.

 

[Roger66]

Well my plan is already derailed! The valve I ordered is backordered with a 42 day lead time . Back to the drawing board.

 

[bearthebruce]

Everything seems to be backordered these days. Blame Covid!

 

[rScotty]

All of the Kubota fan boys consistently brag on their loader valves. This could be a point for Kubota when tractor shopping, but on the test drive you never have the opportunity to unload a heavy pallet from a truck and bring it safely to earth. A empty bucket is a useless test.

I didn't know that I've heard other kubota owners rave about the loader valves, and I've been on this forum and others for more than 25 years.

Even if all the "fan boys" agree that Kubota valves really do work better, it might not even be the valve. Do they even make their own control valves?
It could just as easily be that Kubota's hydraulics dept. simply does a better design job matching their control valves to their loader and hoe geometry & cylinders.

Uh...just to set the record straight, I confess to being a fan of Yanmar mostly, and some of the JDs. With Kubota I'm a fan of their TLB line. In our dozen or so tractors we've only had the one Kubota, so I don't know much about Kubota tractors - just the TLBs.

rScotty

 

[oldnslo]

Kubota used to use Husco 9210 valves but Husco stopped making these a few years back. The 9210 was very good valve compared to majority of other loader valves. I suspect the low cost foreign valves was the demise of the Husco 9210.

USA valve makers today are Brand & Prince both in Nebraska. I have been told that Brand LV series have metering notches on the spools, not sure if Prince LV valves do or not.

 

[ptsg]

I scored a valve for my homemade loader from an older Case backhoe or wheel loader, can't quite remember, but it cost me less that $50 and it's a stackable valve with 3 spools. It is in very good shape, little to no wear. Only one spool showed some scratches but still perfectly useable and I put it on the winch circuit as it's not used too much compared to any loader function.

That thing has features like:
- Load check valves for each spool
- Float and anti cavitation valve on the lift/lower circuit
- Work port relief valves with anti cavitation for the dump/curl circuit
- Metering notched on all three spools

This valve is an absolute dream to use. Even though it's a bit too big for my tractor, it's still very easy to feather the controls or do both functions at the same time.

Obviously this is a valve from an industrial machine, hence all the features compared to any valve offered for a compact tractor. It's made by Rexroth-Sicma. Now I'm sure they were bought by someone else.

 

[Roger66]

Problem solved!! I was able to find a Prince LVT Loader Valve 10GPM LVT1GR5AB7 from Dalton Hydraulics I installed it today. It was nearly a direct fit for my Mahindra 1526. All of the stock hydraulic fittings worked without any special adaption. I just needed to drill one hole as the mounting bolt pattern was different. It would have been a super easy install if Mahindra used swivel fittings, but no. I had to loosen the fittings underneath the tractor so the entire hose could rotate while loosing/tightening. The Prince loader valve is a huge upgrade! So much more precise!

 

[rScotty]

Does it seem reasonable to have the swivels on the far end of the hose instead of next to the valve?
Swivel fittings are slightly larger....maybe there wasn't room to put the swivel ends next to the valve...too crowded.
Or maybe hoses were originally put on backwards?

 

[Roger66]

Hoses can't be reversed. Whenever I make hoses I have swivels at both ends as you never know which side you will be working on in the future. There was certainly enough room, but they probably saved a couple of dollars and every dollar counts. I can't blame them, when I build something I build one. So an extra dollar means nothing, but when building thousands of units those dollars add up. I do wish they spent a bit more on a quality valve, but again for dirt work this stock valve is fine.