Branson 3520R Third Function

[Blake Branson]

Hey there everyone, new to the forum but I've had my 3520 for a few years now, it's a 2017 with the BH76 backhoe attachment and I LOVE it but have really been missing having a grapple bucket with all the cedar/brush and rocks I have on my central Texas property. I have piles all over the place in areas I can't burn in without damaging some of the beautiful oaks and cedar elms I'm keeping.

I have some questions on adding a third function for a grapple bucket I recently purchased that should be in by next week. In the PDF attached below if I understand the third function instructions correctly I am simply removing the hose that currently runs to the rear SCV, plumbing the third function "P" into that port and finally plumbing the "T" port back to the hose running back to the SCV. Am I barking up the right tree here? Not a lot of experience with hydraulics but it seems straight forward enough I just want some reassurance I'm heading in the right direction. Any advice is appreciated!:drink:

View attachment Branson 3520 Hydraulics.pdf

 

[CoyPatton]

Hey there everyone, new to the forum but I've had my 3520 for a few years now, it's a 2017 with the BH76 backhoe attachment and I LOVE it but have really been missing having a grapple bucket with all the cedar/brush and rocks I have on my central Texas property. I have piles all over the place in areas I can't burn in without damaging some of the beautiful oaks and cedar elms I'm keeping.

I have some questions on adding a third function for a grapple bucket I recently purchased that should be in by next week. In the PDF attached below if I understand the third function instructions correctly I am simply removing the hose that currently runs to the rear SCV, plumbing the third function "P" into that port and finally plumbing the "T" port back to the hose running back to the SCV. Am I barking up the right tree here? Not a lot of experience with hydraulics but it seems straight forward enough I just want some reassurance I'm heading in the right direction. Any advice is appreciated!:drink:

View attachment 669998

Does the SCV you plan to use come off of your power beyond (pb) on your loader valve?
Do you when you remove your backhoe put in a ‘jumper’ hose between the 2 SCV ports on the rear of your tractor?
For me the answers to these 2 questions goes a long way to explaining how your tractor is plumbed.

 

[ericm979]

Blake you have it right. That's how my dealer added SCV is plumbed in- before the factory SCVs. Make sure the T port on the solenoid valve you add can handle full system pressure. Most can.

 

[Blake Branson]

Does the SCV you plan to use come off of your power beyond (pb) on your loader valve?
Do you when you remove your backhoe put in a ‘jumper’ hose between the 2 SCV ports on the rear of your tractor?
For me the answers to these 2 questions goes a long way to explaining how your tractor is plumbed.

That's where I'm not sure, based on the schematic from the owners manual there is no verbiage explicitly stating which is the power beyond. In the PDF I attached I have one unused port labeled "P" which I would assume is a power beyond port but if I plumb into that one I don't understand where the return line should then be plumbed in, would it then go to the unused port next to the SCV or could I T it into the return to tank line? I'm fairly mechanically inclined but I've not messed with hydraulic systems before so this is a new learning experience for me.

I actually have never had the backhoe off so I'm not sure if that loop needs to be closed with a jumper hose, I'll have to look closer and try and trace those lines when I get home. I nearly have my land cleared enough to start using the shredder so it'll be coming off soon enough, after all the cut cedar is moved/burned.

 

[ericm979]

Your backhoe is connected via quick connects to two hoses that come from the tractor. Connect them together when you remove the BH.


The "to SCV" port is the loader valve's power beyond. That's what you connect your new solenoid valve to. Since you have a BH it actually goes to the BH loop on the way to the factory SCV.

 

[Blake Branson]

Blake you have it right. That's how my dealer added SCV is plumbed in- before the factory SCVs. Make sure the T port on the solenoid valve you add can handle full system pressure. Most can.

Okay cool, I've seen video where others have plumbed in a similar fashion but was not on a Branson so I wasn't sure if it translated. T port is rated for 3,050 on the valve I bought and rated for 15gpm or less.

 

[Blake Branson]

Your backhoe is connected via quick connects to two hoses that come from the tractor. Connect them together when you remove the BH.


The "to SCV" port is the loader valve's power beyond. That's what you connect your new solenoid valve to. Since you have a BH it actually goes to the BH loop on the way to the factory SCV.

Awesome, makes total sense really appreciate the info!

 

[K5lwq]

Congratulations and welcome to TBN Blake! Glad you joined us and hope you will share photos and update us with your projects!

The advice given is spot on and you should not have any issues plumbing your new valve.

 

[Blake Branson]

Congratulations and welcome to TBN Blake! Glad you joined us and hope you will share photos and update us with your projects!

The advice given is spot on and you should not have any issues plumbing your new valve.

Thanks! I really appreciate the quick and accurate advice. Now I can figure out the hose length and connections I need.

I'll certainly update with my third function and grapple install as well as future projects and mods. I've gotten some excellent ideas from the forum already for adding tool boxes and a ballast barrel/chain/chainsaw storage for operating in tighter areas where the backhoe is a pain.

Went ahead and removed the backhoe today as I'm due for a service and it was incredibly easy, took just a few minutes to unpin. For some reason I had it in my head it needed to be unbolted so I've just left it be lol.

 

[ericm979]

I've used garden hoses to mock up long hydraulic hose runs. My Branson dealer has been able to tell me what size and type various hydraulic fittings are.