Cushion for FEL? (Front End Loader)

[npalen]

Just a though that occurred while reading about loaders: Wondering if anyone has installed a small hydraulic accumulator in the lift circuit of the FEL on a CUT? (I don't really like acronyms but they seem to be all the rage It would seem that the cushioning effect would be useful when carrying heavy loads over rough terrain. Might be good to have a shutoff valve to lock out the accumulator when desired.

 

[kennyd]

I haven't seen where anyone has installed one, but some manufacturers like JD offer a system like that for larger loader as an option.

Loader suspension system (LSS)

Loader suspension system with on/off switch

 

[Deere Dude]

My loader has a couple heavy duty springs and that seems to damped the jerkiness when the loader is empty, or maybe it makes it more jerky. I don't know.

If the loader is maxed out I am sure they don't do anything and I can't fathom how an accumulator would help one bit. Everything rides on the cushion of air on the front tires. That's just my observation.

 

[npalen]

The accumulator is probably nitrogen charged with enough PSI to assure that it won't be maxed out under the heaviest load capability of the FEL. I believe the accumulator would be an additional cushion to that of the front tires. The links that Kenny posted above have some good information.
Back in the late 70's/early 80's I ran a Deere 7720 combine with a wide header and often in terraced fields. Had to be real careful to not gouge the header into the ground as it would pick up dirt and could cause damage. I noticed one day that there was an accumulator on the combine that was teed into the header lift cylinders ports. Got to reading in the manual about the purpose of the accumulator so opened the valve to make it effective. What it did is provide a level of flotation so that if one end of the header contacted the ground it could easily float over the terrace without digging in.
It did take some getting used to, however, as the response to asking the header to raise was sluggish so required planning ahead. It eventually became "second nature" and worked as intended.

 

[oldnslo]

I believe some companies call this option ride control. It incorporates an accumulator with orifice check and solenoid operated valve so that it can be active or shut off. The orifice is sized to limit the oil out of the accumulator which helps reduce the spring effect.

I have not seen the option on small tractors but no reason one could not be installed.

 

[npalen]

That sounds a lot like a shock absorber.

 

[CalG]

When I carry heavy..
I go slowly.

The hurryeder I go, the behinder I get.

 

[blackdog2086]

I've got one on my 5115M that works well and makes a noticeable difference. It is switched in the cab so it can be turned off when not needed. I don't know anything about the installation though as it came on my tractor when I got it.

 

[TCowner]

I have it on my John Deere 4066R Compact Utility and it seems to work as advertised. It is an Deere option for the H180 loader.

 

[npalen]

When I carry heavy..
I go slowly.

The hurryeder I go, the behinder I get.

I get too soon old and too late smart.

 

[PJ The Kid]

I belive with some research you can find aftermarket ride control systems for equipment. The only thing is, every implement I have run with ride control, requires it to be disabled when loaded.

 

[boggen]

when the tractor begins hip hopping from rear tires to front tires off the ground, and when you look behind you, you see "pot holes" from tires squashing ever few feet into the ground...

plumb it inline for the FEL arm cylinders, would be interesting to see.

be nice if there was an "addon package" you could toss on the physical valves themselves. to reduce need for an actual accumulator. and just use tractors open center hydraulics.

be nice, if there was an "addon package" that allowed accumulator to slide inside the frame work of the FEL arms, or FEL arm supports. to reduce space taken up. by accumulators.