3rd function kits....proportioning or not?

[biggziff]

I'm utterly confused on the many 3rd function options for my Kioti CK4010. Diverters, true 3rd function, super true 3rd function, etc. MIE offers 2 3rd function kits that are listed as "true 3rd function", but one has the ability to feather the 3rd function controls vs just being on/off. I have that now in my ASV SR80 skid steer and I'm used to it, but it's another $400 or so with the MIE kit (LOADER TRUE THIRD FUNCTION KITS | miemachinerydivision). So, my question is...do you think having the ability to feather the 3rd function is worth spending the extra money? My intended use is a grapple, hydraulic angle plow for now.

I do have dual remotes on this machine also, but I don't want to have to run the remote lever to control the grapple or blade angle.

Other suggestions are also welcome. Trying to figure this out.

Thanks

 

[oosik]

I have a WR Long true third function on my tractor. It does not feather. It's either on or off. You get use to it. I certainly would not pay an extra $400 to have it feather.

 

[RNeumann]

The 3rd function valve is an electric valve that is on or off. So you push a button (typically on the joystick) and it controls the hydraulics.

A feathered 3rd function would allow you to control speed. Either with a manual valve (not convenient) or a fancier electric valve and switch that allows for fine adjustments.

I have an on/off third function and use a snow plow and grapple. Both work fine without the feather feature. If you needed some fine tuning on speed you can put a manual flow control on the grapple or plow- but I doubt you will need that.

The $400 extra cost would be for a select few who have a specific need to have the fine control. Maybe a hydraulic snow blower, mower or auger. With fine control you could adjust the distance the snow is blown or how fast the auger was spinning. Not something you really need on a CUT- they don’t have the hydraulics to run a lot of the hydraulic motors.

The diverter 3rd function is a simple electric valve that goes inline with the hydraulics that feed the bucket curl. When you hit the button you would divert flow from curl to third function by using the joystick. That would allow some feathering. But this option can be frustrating since you don’t have curl and 3rd function at the same time.

 

[biggziff]

The 3rd function valve is an electric valve that is on or off. So you push a button (typically on the joystick) and it controls the hydraulics.

A feathered 3rd function would allow you to control speed. Either with a manual valve (not convenient) or a fancier electric valve and switch that allows for fine adjustments.

I have an on/off third function and use a snow plow and grapple. Both work fine without the feather feature. If you needed some fine tuning on speed you can put a manual flow control on the grapple or plow- but I doubt you will need that.

The $400 extra cost would be for a select few who have a specific need to have the fine control. Maybe a hydraulic snow blower, mower or auger. With fine control you could adjust the distance the snow is blown or how fast the auger was spinning. Not something you really need on a CUT- they don’t have the hydraulics to run a lot of the hydraulic motors.

The diverter 3rd function is a simple electric valve that goes inline with the hydraulics that feed the bucket curl. When you hit the button you would divert flow from curl to third function by using the joystick. That would allow some feathering. But this option can be frustrating since you don’t have curl and 3rd function at the same time.

Thanks. I believe I understand how they all function and what the basic trade-offs are. The more I think about this, I don't think I need the proportioning and your post made me remember that I installed manual flow control valves on my big log grapple on the skidder to slow things down on that. Thanks for reminding me!

 

[aczlan]

Thanks. I believe I understand how they all function and what the basic trade-offs are. The more I think about this, I don't think I need the proportioning and your post made me remember that I installed manual flow control valves on my big log grapple on the skidder to slow things down on that. Thanks for reminding me!

I was going to mention manual flow control valves, that would be the easiest way if you just need a fixed speed for something like a grapple.

Aaron Z

 

[biggziff]

I was going to mention manual flow control valves, that would be the easiest way if you just need a fixed speed for something like a grapple.

Aaron Z

Thanks!

 

[dstig1]

I have a diverter for my grapple and it is just as easy to feather with that as it is to feather the FEL controls. The diverter switches the curl/dump circuit to the 3rd function while I hold the button down and then you use the FEL joystick in Curl and Dump to control the grapple lid open-close (or a plow angle). It is ALWAYS nice to have full control ...

 

[biggziff]

I have a diverter for my grapple and it is just as easy to feather with that as it is to feather the FEL controls. The diverter switches the curl/dump circuit to the 3rd function while I hold the button down and then you use the FEL joystick in Curl and Dump to control the grapple lid open-close (or a plow angle). It is ALWAYS nice to have full control ...

I'm sure it's not big deal if that's what you've always had, but I don't want another button to depress to activate the 3rd function. I just want to be able to snap the attachment on and use the joystick without thinking about pushing a button to allow me to push another button for the grapple, etc.

 

[dstig1]

The button is on top of the joystick, right where your thumb naturally goes. Zero effort.

Edit: You obviously should get whatever you prefer, which is up to you of course. I'm just noting that if you thought there was lots of extra effort or 3-hands coordination needed, that is not the case. It's super easy.

 

[ovrszd]

The diverter system like dstig 1 uses is the simplest to master. Hold button and curl joystick, grapple moves. Release button and curl joystick, grapple curls.

3rd function has two buttons joystick. One opens grapple. One closes grapple. Curl function is never interrupted. Speed of functions when used in triplicate varies depending on tractor gpm flow.

With diverter system the transition between grapple and curl can be seamless by quick button control

With 3rd function system the speed of grapple can be seamless by quick button control.

I prefer 3rd function. My tractor has the flow capacity to manage it well.