Double selector valve for powering thumb - yea or nay?

[AndyR2]

I have a Woods 9000 BH with the PTO pump and am wanting to put a thumb on. Seem to get a different answer from everybody I talk to but the folks at WR Long (speaking to them about a kit for a front grapple) recommended a solenoid based double selector valve to work off of a stabilizer control. Little looking around and I found a manual valve that should work just fine.

My question is; has anyone done this and how well has it worked? Again, the concept is a double selector valve on the output of one of the stabilizer controls, where - in theory - you can set your stabilizer and then switch to thumb and the "off" cylinder should essentially be locked in position.

 

[BukitCase]

That's EXACTLY what I'm gonna do on my 580B, only I'm sneaky/lazy/too old (so I'm told :=) so I have an electric version in the PPP (ProspectivePartsPile) - that'll let ME decide where things are mounted.

There will be a momentary switch on the stabilizer lever that's being shared (check valve, plus the selectors BLOCK the un-used position) - wires are MUCH easier to route than hoses, my stabilizers are already only 3/8" plumbing so no need to figure out how to "borrow" some hydraulics from 1" lines WITHOUT messing up the things that NEED that much flow

Here's the type I have
https://www.amazon.com/Hydraulic-Solenoid-Selector-Diverter-Valve-x/dp/B077BS9G2Z

Surplus center used to carry those, haven't seen 'em there in a while. I have a couple of these on my other 2 tractors
1/2" NPT 2 GPM Double Selector Valve | Prince Mfg | Brands | www.surpluscenter.com

They work OK, but finding a location that works for plumbing AND reachability can be a real head-scratcher... Steve

 

[4570Man]

If I ever get around to converting the fixed thumb on my backhoe to hydraulic that’s how I’m going to do it.

 

[AndyR2]

Steve - you are so right on the placement issue. The Woods really doesn't have any great spots so I am figuring on a linkage to the arm or pull (depending on what valve I go with). Just like the idea of keeping everything on the BH and not having to plug in.

 

[BukitCase]

I know myself well enough (at 74 years) to be willing to plug in one wire (OK, one PAIR :=) - except my hoe never comes off, so zero wires to unplug - I can see why your situation might change that tho. I WOULD recommend going with 1/4" hose tho - it's pretty easy to adapt any size to any OTHER size, and running the smaller hose to your thumb will give you quite a bit more flexibility - and the smaller hose will still be plenty fast enough for that purpose... Steve

Oh, and JIC swivels are available in any size in straight, 45* and 90* - those can REALLY help keeping lines dressed neat and compact when adding functions.