adding joystick control to fel

[rodbass747]

I am trying to figure out how to add joystick control and spool valve to control my front end loader. Now it is using all 4 hyd outlets of the tractor and is hard to control this way. My tractor is a Ford 6640 and schwartz loader. Thanks in advance for any help

 

[BukitCase]

Some loader valves have optional joystick "kits" - Prince for one. My old Case backhoe has a joystick, it's a very convoluted system of ball joints, pivot tubes, etc, works great but I wouldn't wanna have to build one from scratch - altho it WOULD adapt to two adjacent "normal" spools, that's what it's on right now.

I looked at all the pix I took while rebuilding mine (excess slop due to wear in bushings) but they're not clear enough to build from, only to re-assemble without messing up.

It would help if we had a brand/model # of your valve - and a good-sixed pic or two, preferably with any casting marks, etc... Steve

 

[rodbass747]

Some loader valves have optional joystick "kits" - Prince for one. My old Case backhoe has a joystick, it's a very convoluted system of ball joints, pivot tubes, etc, works great but I wouldn't wanna have to build one from scratch - altho it WOULD adapt to two adjacent "normal" spools, that's what it's on right now.

I looked at all the pix I took while rebuilding mine (excess slop due to wear in bushings) but they're not clear enough to build from, only to re-assemble without messing up.

It would help if we had a brand/model # of your valve - and a good-sixed pic or two, preferably with any casting marks, etc... Steve

This unit does have any extra valve on it. I am trying to add one so I can free up my rear ones.

 

[aczlan]

It would help if we had a brand/model # of your valve - and a good-sixed pic or two, preferably with any casting marks, etc... Steve

Agreed. Tractordata lists that machine as being open center or closed center and with 18-21GPM of flow at 2100PSI.
Depending on how its plumbed, you can add a valve such as this one: 2 SPOOL 25 GPM JOYSTICK LOADER CONTROL VALVE for $300ish but you need to know how its setup first.

Aaron Z

 

[AndyG]

I can imagine that using two remote valves to run the loader is a pain in the but. I've done it before. Surplus Center has valves which should work. Surplus Center . Besides freeing up the remotes, a loader valve will make the loader MUCH easier to use.

 

[GLyford]

Woops, I missed the point where you were using the tractor remotes. If you add a regular
spool valve, then the rest of this still applies:

Get three rod ends, and drill three holes in a plate with the right spacing, and weld a handle on the plate:



I can't claim credit for the idea, I "stole" it from someone else.

The key point is that the rod ends are on opposite sides of the spool valves. One is in line with the link pivot of the original handle, and the other is in line with it and the spool, 90 degrees apart. That way, pivoting on the link and one rod end moves the other spool.

So two holes are spaced the same as your spool spacing. The other one is in line with one spool, but far enough away so that the rod end can mounted on the far side of the spool. If you put it together without the handle welded on first, with maybe a pair of vice grips on it, you can figure out if you picked the right pivot points for the direction you want the handle to move. If not, then you can still flip the plate over since it doesn't have the handle on it yet, mount the rod ends to the other side, and use the rigid handle link for the other spool. Or just thread the middle of the plate for a handle, so you can thread it in from either side.

 

[BukitCase]

OK, If I (finally) understand your situation, you now are running the FEL from REAR remotes, and want a REAL loader control valve with a joystick? And, as near as I can tell, the loader is an AFTERMARKET one?

If so, what you'd need to find out is whether the tractor has a place in the hydraulic system where you could CUT the high pressure line and INSERT a 2 or 3 spool CONTROL valve that has Power Beyond - (a 3-spool would give you the option of adding a grapple later, if you think you may want to.

We could also use more info on what is already there - like whether the two remotes you're now using are FACTORY or add-ons.

Still waiting on PICTURES, which might help identify parts of your system for us. In order for this to work, you will need to identify pressure lines, tank return lines (if any) and ways to mount your new controls where they can actually be USED, preferably without pain

I'm hesitant to recommend any SPECIFIC components til we get enough info on what we're dealing with... Steve

Also, which EXACT model - if it's the 6640SLE, it has CLOSED CENTER hydraulics which would change EVERYTHING.

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/005/9/5/5951-ford-6640.html