Vigo327
Platinum Member
Having a dedicated carrier machine would be good because you have the very desirable option to bring the hoe in a lot closer than the end of the 3pt arms. Close enough to be able to use a rotating seat. Close enough to not lose as much steering authority with no FEL as front counterweight, or at least reduce the need for as much front counterweight. I think being 'forced' to install 'live' hydraulics on an 8n is not a bad thing either, the stock ones would suck no matter what and them not working just removes the temptation to try to build to them. I have read articles about automotive power steering pumps in racing applications that said the common 'canned ham' sort of pumps that were on everything for about 30 years can actually flow about 20gpm at high rpm. That means they could flow maybe 6-8gpm at a comfortable rpm for an 8N. They have 'priority flow divider valves' in them to reduce their output to something they can consistently make across a car engine's rpm range (probably about 2gpm with the rest recirculated internally), but if you remove that valve you have enough output to run your hoe easily.