Fossi valve on L4330

[Rick_Taylor]

I'm buying a new L4330 HSTC equippted with an ATI 4n1 bucket. When discussing an electric over hydraulic valve to control the bucket jaw, my salesman suggested a valve made by Fossi. I'd never heard of them but he assured me the dealership had used them a lot. I saw the tractor for the first time with loader and valve installed yesterday. I'm not too happy. The valve is mounted on top of the loader valve on the right upright just in front of the cab windshield. My problem is that someday I'm going to have to refuel and the valve is just to the right (outboard) of the filler hatch. The only way to fuel from the 5 gal cans I use is to stand on the front tire and use a funnel. The Fossi valve of course has several hoses going to it from various angles. Does anyone else have any experience with these valves? Where did they mount it? Looking at the pictures of the V&M valves on their website, they look a LOT smaller. V&M's look like they use two valves which could be mounted almost anywhere down the loader arm. Am I being paranoid? Anybody else think this is going to be a problem? Thanks, Rick

 

[_RaT_]

I don't like refueling my tractor from 5 gallon cans period. I have a tank on wheels and a pump. Holding 5 gallon containers over your tractor and not spilling any is a well learned trick, but more then that, unnecessarily hard on one's back. Get a tank and pump either a ready made one or a drum with a hand or electric pump. Mines a hand pump.

 

[Deerlope]

I refuel from a 275 gal tank with a rotary pump.

 

[btolle]

As I have gotten older and my back has gotten worse I have learned to buy 2 1/2 gallon fuel cans. I just can't hold a 5 gallon can full of fuel up that high for that long anymore.

Try a couple of 2 1/2 gallon cans and see it that helps.

Bill Tolle

 

[Rick_Taylor]

All of you have good valid views about the 5 gal cans, but what I really need right now before I take this new tractor home is some views about the Fossi brand valve and where they installed it. I can't be the first guy that has put an electric over hydraulic valve on a Kubota cab tractor. I need help now, the tractor is almost ready. Thanks.

 

[MadReferee]

Since it's a new tractor and you have yet to take delivery, have them install it the way you want it. If you are unhappy with control placement then ask, better yet demand, that they change it to be exactly how you feel it should be. It's your money and your tractor. Don't take delivery until you are happy.

Several members have used the V&M setup but I can recall nobody using the Fossi.

 

[Charolais]

Good morning.
I use a Fassie valve on a tractor without a loader. The tractor had one set of remotes and I needed two for a hay conditioner. One to swing the cutter head back and the other for up and down control of the cutter head. So I have the Fassie pluged in to the remotes on the back of the tractor. If you have and I assume you do, remotes on the back, you could move the Fassie valve to the rear and run the hoses to the back for what ever you're using it for. Then use the control for the rear remote for that function.

Fassie make a good valve. I think I bought mine in 97. Had one that would stick over winter but switched brands of hydraulic oil and cured that problem. I've left the switch on a couple of time and ran the battery down. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JJT]

"The only way to fuel from the 5 gal cans I use is to stand on the front tire and use a funnel."

Unless you're extremely short you should be able to refuel without standing on the font tire, put 3 gallons in those 5 gallon cans and your back will thank you.

 

[Rick_Taylor]

I guess I'm not expressing myself as well as I should. The dealership has installed the valve in the only apparant place they see to put it, on top of the loader valve. It's function is to operate the 4n1 bucket. TnT cylinders will run off the rear outlets. With the valve on top of the loader valve, it sticks up almost a foot over the hood, directly in the way of the fuel filler. They will move the valve. The question is where to, so that it still works and that hoses and wiring are protected. My salesman had an idea to maybe extend the bracket they made toward the front then mounting the Fossi in front of the loader valve. Also, using right angle fittings should get some of the hoses down out of the way. As for protection, I'm only really concerned about the hoses. Wiring can be protected, even if I have to go so far as to run it in flexable (BX type) conduit. It will paint and be almost invisable.
I''ll check tommorrow to see if there are any developments.