Adding hydraulic In/outs to front of JD 855

[TomOnTractorByNet]

Hi all,

I am about to mount a hydraulic front 3-point hitch to the front of my JD 855.

I currently have 4 in/out connectors at the rear of the tractor. These are activated through the 4-way handle to the right of the driver seat. They are fed from a set of pipes that are routed through a bracket to the front of the left rear tire.

I am hoping to add hydraulic in/outs to the front. I don't want to re- route the ones from the rear to the front, as I will need to operate implements on both back or front from time to time.

As I see it, I have a number of options:

1. Install a manually operated 3-way valve on each pipe with one input and selectable outputs that will direct oil to/from front or rear. I would need 4 such valves. Control would stay with the 4-way handle.

2. Install a 6-way diverter on each pair of pipes, controlled by a switched solenoid. I would need 2 of those. Control would be via the 4-way handle here also.

3. Take the hydraulic flow/return through an additional control block and operate front implements via this block while retaining rear operation via the 4-way handle. The question is how would I break into the hydraulic system to do this? My 855 does not have a backhoe circuit.

Can anyone suggest any other options that use tractor hydraulics? I don't want to use additional power packs of any kind to power the front.

Thanks in advance

 

[beenthere]

Sounds interesting. Anxious to see the resolution to the different options.

 

[Mechanos]

Does your rear outlet set up look "factory", or does it look like an add-on? The only Deere setup that I'm aware of is the Rear Quick Coupler Kit that uses 4 hoses that plug into 4 quick couplers for the FEL located under the front edge of the left floorboard (just below the steering brake pedals). If that is what your tractor has, then just replace #15 with a Tee fitting and run hoses to the front of the tractor. As long as you only use one set of outlets (front or rear) at a time, no additional valves would be needed.

 

[TomOnTractorByNet]

Thanks Mechanos. Yes, it certainly looks like a proper factory setup.

If I understand you correctly, just adding a tee'd extension to each pipe with a Q.C. at the end would lead to each line being able to provide a full service at whichever end the female Q.C. is connected to an implement.

It actually sounds very logical (and clean/simple) when I picture it in my mind.

Would any damage occur if both ends were connected at the same time?

 

[kennyd]

Would any damage occur if both ends were connected at the same time?

No damage, but both things would operate at the same time also, one would have to be blocked off. Two electric diverters seem like the best solution, but you'll need a lot of real estate for those (or any diverter for that matter).

 

[TomOnTractorByNet]

I reckon that the use of diverters will necessitate a lot of room around the left side footplate alright. So the simpler tee installation seems so much simpler and indeed less expensive that I will give it a go.

Mechanos, would you have the key to that diagram you attached, so that I can understand the name and size of each part involved. In particular #1,2,3,4,10,15 &16.

 

[kennyd]

Tom, check out www.jdparts.com
There is a quick tutorial linked in my signature if you need help with it. Its the same basic system the dealers use at the parts counter, and its free to register.

With Tee's, how will keep both functions from operating?

 

[TomOnTractorByNet]

J

With Tee's, how will keep both functions from operating?

Initially, I can handle disconnecting the service that I will not be using and connecting the one I want to use. While this might be a little inelegant, it will make my 855 so much more productive than currently. On Day 1, I plan to use all 4 lines at the front- 2 to power the hydraulic ram on the 3-pt hitch I am adding, and the other 2 to power a forklift mast that I will be connecting to the 3-pt. At the same time, I will still be able to mount a transport box on the rear 3-pt which is controlled via the rock shaft lever.

I will need to work out the most usable permutations that will suit usage of my other implements, such as logsplitter, hydraulic chainsaw and flail mower (which is hydraulically driven, 3-pt mounted and reversible so can be mounted on front or rear).

Can't wait to work it all out

 

[beenthere]

Sounds like you are gonna "Plug and Play"..

 

[TomOnTractorByNet]

Sounds like you are gonna "Plug and Play"..

Ouch! ;-)

Maybe more like "Unplug, Plug and Play"....