Where to get general hydraulics information

[LaVita]

Hi,

I will be adding a grapple attachment to my collection and will need to decide how I want the remotes to work on the tractor. As I looked through my Surplus Center catalog I realized I really don't know what I'm doing with hydraulics yet. Any recommendations on how to get up to speed on designing a hydraulics circuit to control two cylinders. I have a Kubota L4330 if that helps.

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[Kendall69]

I just had the dealer install a Grappler I bought, and he put an electric deverter button on the joy stick. The joy stick makes the grappler work just like your bucket, but to open and close the grappler, you have to push the button and move the joystick to the left or right.

He installed the diverter right below the joy stick controls.

I hope this helps if not I can shoot some digitals.

I was way too complicated for me. I think with the valve, button, plumbing, welding for the quick attach up front, labor he charged $800.00. Parts were like $500.00 of the $800.00

 

[Ford960]

Here's the Army Hydraulics training manual in PDF.

https://atiam.train.army.mil/soldierPortal/atia/adlsc/view/public/9590-1/fm/5-499/toc.htm

 

[kennyd]

Search here for "diverter", "grapple", and "remote"
All the info you want has been posted here hundreds of times...

 

[MadReferee]

That Army manual is not that good for a novice who wants to learn about his tractor hydraulics. Like Kenny said, grapples are one of the most talked about add-ons recently and there literally hundreds of posts describing the various connection options, hydraulic parts sourcing, plumbing, and grapple manufcturers.

Since you have a Kubota L4330 you have 2 options (factory or aux remote valve) for adding remotes or an additional option for a third function valve (WR Long) or even another option for a diverter (WR Long or Surplus Center) off the bucket curl/dump circuit. The factory optional remotes will be the most expensive and least desirable in my opinion for front hydraulics. The diverter or third function valve is the way to go for front hydraulics.

The absolute best place to get grapple info is right here on TBN. Learn to use the Search feature, it will be your best friend.

 

[DocHeb]

I have found useful educational material at these sites:


Technical help

Hydraulic Tutorials

Basic Hydraulics

Issue Archive

 

[LaVita]

Thanks much everybody.

Chuck

 

[SPYDERLK]

One thing I have not been able to find is Info and supplier for a variety of electric joysticks. Anybody here got a lead? Thanks.
larry

 

[kennyd]

One thing I have not been able to find is Info and supplier for a variety of electric joysticks. Anybody here got a lead? Thanks.
larry

There are a few sources, like:
Otto Engineering
And Valve Kits will sell the handles seperatly.I got mine (not yet installed) at the JD dealer, it's from a 110 backhoe and it cost me $155.00.

 

[Farmerford]

MadReferee:

I am building a grapple for a Kubota L4330 and was studying your advice to 3RRL on the choices for hydraulic valves. If I understand you correctly, the auxiliary valve in the loader SCV power beyond circuit allows the curl/dump function and the grapple function to operate at the same time, so that you can close the two parts of the "claw" at the same time. But the selector valve in the curl/dump circuit allows only one of the curl/dump and grapple circuits to operate at the same time, so that you have to close the bucket first and then close the grapple against it (or the opposite order).

I am trying to figure out if cost saving is the only reason you would ever choose the selector valve over the third function valve. The third function valve seems to give much better control of the process. Are there any other considerations?

Also, does the third function valve have to be a solenoid valve, or could it also be a manual (lever operated) valve? I realize that a lever operated third function valve requires the use of a "third" hand, but wouldn't it let you control the speed of the grapple movement? The solenoid valve is either open or closed, right? There is no partial opening? If there is not a partial position, does the grapple close fast when the engine is running at high speed?

Thanks.