FREE Online Basic Hydraulics Course - Excellent!

picker77 · Mar 6, 2006

Embarassed about my lack of technical knowledge of tractor hydraulic systems, I was scrounging around for a good book on basic hydraulics - maybe a Votech textbook or something like that - so I could at least learn to speak the lingo, and maybe avoid showing my ignorance when asking newbie questions of the experts and sales people (two wildly different categories of folks, I'm finding out).

While doing so, I stumbled into Basic Hydraulics, where there's a nicely illustrated, simple to understand but fairly comprehensive course in full living color. Best of all, it's free and is there online 24/7. I haven't heard it mentioned before on here, thought maybe the link would be useful to others on the TBN board, particularly first-time tractor owners.

So, here 'tis... enjoy.

johnk · Mar 6, 2006

Very informative link. It answers a lot of questions I know I had. Thanks.

Onthesauk · Mar 6, 2006

Thanks for the reference! Now find me one for welding, haven't done that for 45 years.

picker77 · Mar 6, 2006

One of the more interesting things I learned looking this little course over was that a closed center hydraulic control system is generally a better idea for tractor-type installations than open center, with several sensible sounding reasons listed to back that up.

However, just about every major manufacturer of tractors uses open center controls as the factory setup. Hmm.... I wonder if it's purely a cost-of-manufacture thing.

At least I have a good idea now of what closed and open center systems are and how they work, not to mention diverter valves, series vs. parallel and series-parallel controls, and on and on..

Interesting stuff. I've got a 40+ year background in electronics, and it was surprising to see how similar electrical and hydraulic circuits are in their basic design and the way they work. Even electronic amplifiers work on the same principle as hydraulic cylinders, and with many of the same limitations.

MadReferee · Mar 7, 2006

( However, just about every major manufacturer of tractors uses open center controls as the factory setup. Hmm.... I wonder if it's purely a cost-of-manufacture thing. )

Open center systems are used because the hydraulic pumps on just about every tractor under 100 hp are connected directly to the engine and are always pumping. The fluid needs a complete path from tank thru pump thru valves and back to the tank, otherwise the pump would self destruct as it tries to pump against a closed circuit.

Some larger ag tractors (over 100 hp) use a closed center, on demand system for implements (usually not for a fel). Usually these have an electrically operated pump which would not be all that practical on smaller tractors.

scott_vt · Mar 7, 2006

Thanks Picker, its in my favorites now!

Thanks,

scotty

ChickenWing · Mar 7, 2006

( Thanks for the reference! Now find me one for welding, haven't done that for 45 years. )

There are lots of courses on that website, including one for welding! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Welding School I didn't read it yet, so I cannot comment on content.

I also found one about surgery /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I hope my doctor is not learning from the internet /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Surgery

froggy · Mar 7, 2006

Thanks for the link. It's an interesting site.

teg · Mar 13, 2006

Northern Hydraulics Inc. Has some good / useful Basic information, too.

lugnutzz · Feb 3, 2011

picker77 said:
While doing so, I stumbled into Basic Hydraulics, where there's a nicely illustrated, simple to understand but fairly comprehensive course in full living color. Best of all, it's free and is there online 24/7. I haven't heard it mentioned before on here, thought maybe the link would be useful to others on the TBN board, particularly first-time tractor owners.

So, here 'tis... enjoy.

can any one fix these links or point me in the right direction. they seem to be broken.