Adding loader control valve to IH 674

[cj7jeep81]

Bought an IH 674 last weekend, and overall am really happy with it. Only thing I don't like is how the loader hydraulics are hooked up.
It has a Woods 1020 front loader, but they just connected it to the rear remotes on the tractor, so to control the bucket, I have to bend over and use the controls by my right foot. This makes for a very awkward (and not so safe) use. Also, the second control is fairly sticky, and I have had several times when I try to uncurl the bucket a little and it just keeps going.

I would like to add a joystick type control valve mounted onto the loader, and then use it and have the rear remotes open if I ever need them. I've done some research, and it looks like a 2 spool 14gpm joystick loader valve from surplus center would work. According to tractor data, my 674 is 13gpm.

However, for an extra $50, I could buy the 3 spool 25gpm model that would give me the ability to use a grapple in the future (not sure I ever would, but seems like a fairly cheap upgrade). I know its oversized and I might not be able to feather the controls as well, but from searching other posts, people have used it fine with less flow than I have.

I assume if I got one of these valves, I'd just build a bracket for the valve, figure out where to tap into the hydraulic system, and hook up the new valve, then run much shorter hoses from the valve to the bucket? Am I missing anything? And any advice on where to tap in to power this?

Thanks!

 

[ericm979]

If the steering circuit is separate from the accessory circuit, don't use it in calculating the valve size.
Put the loader valve first in the chain, with it's power beyond feeding the rear remotes.

I think I would err on the side of compatibiity with the system gpm and get a valve close to it, especially if you like controls that work well. People have widely varying ideas of "ok".
You could add an additional valve for the grapple.

 

[cj7jeep81]

If the steering circuit is separate from the accessory circuit, don't use it in calculating the valve size.
Put the loader valve first in the chain, with it's power beyond feeding the rear remotes.

I think I would err on the side of compatibiity with the system gpm and get a valve close to it, especially if you like controls that work well. People have widely varying ideas of "ok".
You could add an additional valve for the grapple.

I would rather it work better, so a 14gpm valve is probably best. I assume adding an extra valve down the line would be pretty simple?
I'll spend some time looking at the hydraulics, and see where I need to hook things up.