Down Force kit on TC45DA

gregkabob · Mar 16, 2009

I ordered a down force kit for my post hole drill from TSC. I was looking in their catalog closer and it says it uses a single acting cylinder. Doing more research I see that they all (or all I could find) use a single acting cylinder and the return line is suppose to just dump into the hydro sump.

Does anyone know where (or if there is) a connection can be made to run the return line into the hydro sump on the TC45DA?

I appreciate any assistance you all can give me.

Greg

RickB · Mar 16, 2009

Typically, a rear remote valve would control the down pressure cylinder. There is only one hose; under pressure, oil flows from the valve to the cylinder. When open to return, oil flows back through the same hose to the valve and back to sump.

gregkabob · Mar 17, 2009

RickB, I have a rear remote for my top link and it has two lines for a double acting cyclinder. I've read some of the manuals for the down force kits and they warn about hooking it up to these. I figure I could hook one hose to an outlet on the rear remote and find a place to let the fluid drain into the sump when I raise the 3pt. Just don't know where (or if) theres a place to run the return hose.

I'm going to stop my NH at lunch today and ask them. I'll post what I find out from them.

jinman · Mar 17, 2009

When I first bought my TC45D, I was thinking of buying a post pounder also. My NH dealer told me they plumbed the large return line into the filler/dipstick port on top of the rear transmission case. I think normal NPT pipe threads will fit and the hose can be adapted to the pipe. If it will take the high flow of a post pounder on the downstroke, it will surely take the return flow of your downpressure PHD.

gregkabob · Mar 17, 2009

Jim, I knew you would post on this...THANKS!

Using filler hole was my first thought as I've had it open with the tractor running and never got anything out of it. I didn't get a chance to stop by the NH dealer at lunch to ask them but will tonight just to see what they say. Then it's off to TSC to see if the kit came in.

This Okie dirt and sand rock is tough. I might end up buying a hydraulic drill with a rock bit for it. Been looking at them but there a lot of $$$ and more $$$ for the bits.

Again, thanks for the advice,

kennyd · Mar 17, 2009

Buy a new filler cap from NH, then install a hose barb fitting in it for when you need to use the PHD. You can get brass ones from Lowe's or Home Cheapot.

RickB · Mar 17, 2009

gregkabob said:
Jim, I knew you would post on this...THANKS!

Using filler hole was my first thought as I've had it open with the tractor running and never got anything out of it. I didn't get a chance to stop by the NH dealer at lunch to ask them but will tonight just to see what they say. Then it's off to TSC to see if the kit came in.

This Okie dirt and sand rock is tough. I might end up buying a hydraulic drill with a rock bit for it. Been looking at them but there a lot of $$$ and more $$$ for the bits.

Again, thanks for the advice,

I'm sorry, I gave you incomplete (bad?) advise. I forgot exactly how these downpressure kits are plumbed.

gregkabob · Mar 17, 2009

Rick, no problem here.

I did stop by my NH dealer and they showed me where to plumb it in. There's a plug on the side of the Remote blocks that you take out and put a 90 Deg elbow in and hook your return hose up to it. I'll be putting the kit on this weekend and I'll take some pics of it if anyone is interested.

Thanks all for your help.

gregkabob · Mar 17, 2009

KennyD, That's a good idea and would probably been cheaper than getting a hose and fittings for the tractor. $45 for the hose and quick connect fittings. Kit was $314 and a couple of 90 degree fittings and male end brought the total to $338 at TSC.

Now I hope it will work through the Okie dirt and sand rock. I'll find out this weekend and if not I'm going for a Hydraulic drill and rock bit. I have a lot of holes to drill in the coming years and just don't want to be playing around trying to get it to dig.

Reg · Mar 17, 2009

I havn't (yet) found a need for down force on a PHD.
I wait, patiently, after a while it digs.

Once or twice I have just decided to give it a bit of help by locking up the 3PH lowering speed knob and giving the bucket a little nudge downwards, that will either do it or break the auger if you are into something REALLY tough.
I still think it best to just wait, a 30 second or whole minute of little/no progress is nothing in the course of a day.