GaryBDavis
Gold Member
Finally made the move to a skid steer for brush work around the farm and I need to run a shredder with it. This will be one of those mulching type shredders used to clear underbrush. The newer ones use a piston pump that requires a case drain even though it's a standard flow unit (~20GPM).
My skid steer is a 2011 CAT 279C and just has the standard flow hydraulics with no case drain. The high flow version of this machine comes with a case drain coupler. My plan is to get the case drain coupler and steel line from CAT and then plumb it directly to the tank. I don't want to hack into the factory hydraulic lines. I'll modify my coupler bracket on the loader arm to hold the case drain coupler.
My remaining issue is how to put a fitting on the plastic hydraulic tank. My current thought is to use one of those grommet type hose barbs. You drill a 1/2" hole in the tank, insert the grommet and press in the steel fitting that has a 1/4" right angle hose barb on it. It uses a compression effect to make a leak proof seal (the barb inserted into the grommet has an flared end). These are for fuel tanks so it will handle the hydraulic oil. My only concern is how to drill the hole into the tank. I'm not sure how to keep the plastic shavings out of the oil tank. I know most folks would probably just drill it and not worry about it. There's probably a strainer at the pump intake that will catch any pieces. The pump probably wouldn't bat an eye at a small plastic shaving anyway.
Looking for thoughts/recommendations of anyone who might have done something like this already.
Thanks,
Gary
My skid steer is a 2011 CAT 279C and just has the standard flow hydraulics with no case drain. The high flow version of this machine comes with a case drain coupler. My plan is to get the case drain coupler and steel line from CAT and then plumb it directly to the tank. I don't want to hack into the factory hydraulic lines. I'll modify my coupler bracket on the loader arm to hold the case drain coupler.
My remaining issue is how to put a fitting on the plastic hydraulic tank. My current thought is to use one of those grommet type hose barbs. You drill a 1/2" hole in the tank, insert the grommet and press in the steel fitting that has a 1/4" right angle hose barb on it. It uses a compression effect to make a leak proof seal (the barb inserted into the grommet has an flared end). These are for fuel tanks so it will handle the hydraulic oil. My only concern is how to drill the hole into the tank. I'm not sure how to keep the plastic shavings out of the oil tank. I know most folks would probably just drill it and not worry about it. There's probably a strainer at the pump intake that will catch any pieces. The pump probably wouldn't bat an eye at a small plastic shaving anyway.
Looking for thoughts/recommendations of anyone who might have done something like this already.
Thanks,
Gary
