Hydraulic Curcuit Tester

[ERNIEB]

I've been reading the Army TM on hydraulics that Gordon provided in another post. Many thanks , Gordon. Anyway, in the troubleshooting section a portable hydraulic curcuit tester is mentioned. Now that might be a useful tool, I think.
I searched Harbor Frieght, and Northern, nothing found. A web search didn't help much either. I did find one company, Hedland-flo tech, that had a "low cost" tester. It looked like a gauge, and maybe a check valve that could be installed in line.
Does anyone know about these testors? Are they of use? Are they expensive? Where can You get them?

Ernie
"You can plainly see that the Alamo was never built by a military people for a fortress."
Green Jameson, Jan 1836 (in a letter to Sam Houston)

 

[DFB]

Ernie, my JD manual describes a pressure gauge, flowmeter, and temperature gauge as needed equipment. John Deere has their own part numbers. Check out this web site www.hydracheck.com. They have the type of test equipment your looking for.

 

[gordon]

DFB Kool link, I bookmarked it. Has a bunch of links off of it. Thanks!!!

Ernie I can't take credit for the link someone else on this board gave me the link for the index of the field manuals and I did a search to get a spot where you didnt't have to down load every chapter each and every time.

I'm sorry I don't remember who posted the link but Thanks!!! It was and is a very useful link!!!
Gordon

 

[ERNIEB]

DFB, thanks for the link. The kit testers are way out of my price range. The gauges and some of the connectors aren't to bad. I don't see why they couldn't be used to measure flow and pressure, which could be helpful in troubleshooting a problem.

Ernie
"You can plainly see that the Alamo was never built by a military people for a fortress."
Green Jameson, Jan 1836 (in a letter to Sam Houston)

 

[DFB]

Hi Ernie, I agree, the cost of certain test equipment is sometimes to much for for the limited amount of times the average guy will use one. I'm certainly no expert on hydraulics but as for testing pressure by building your own tester with a pressure gauge (3000-5000psi), a high pressure hose, and the correct fittings for your application, I don't see why not. DIY style. I wouldn't mind having something like that too. I would think a speciality flow meter would still have to be purchased though. Maybe someone else has some info to share.

 

[markcg2000]

MarkC,
You put a pressure gauge on your system, right? I've been going over the books and am trying to figure out if mine has a tap, or will I need some sort of "Tee". I do not like the idea of the "Tee" in a rigid line, and I don't see any hose that would always have the system pressure in it.

<font color=green>mark</font color=green>

 

[DFB]

My manual shows several plugs to remove so equipment can be installed for pressure testing. One is on the charge pump, another plug is on the HST housing for PTO clutch pressure. Another test point is the for SCV at the quick coupler and on models without SVC there is a isolation valve and a test port. Must be some other tests that can be performed too. That was just a quick look in the book.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

MarkCG,

I'd like to 2nd your question to MarkC.

Re. "a tee in a rigid line": if you put one "arm" of the tee INTO THE SCV or other valve block ( in other words "at the very end of the line"), wouldn't that take care of concerns about the tee-joint flexing?

Larry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

DFB,

What section of your manual(4100 owner's manual?) were the references to the hydraulic test-ports in ?

Thanks,
Larry

 

[DFB]

Larry, my operators' manual covers only the standard machine operation & servicing, mainly oil, filters, fuel & lubrication. It's a must have though. The additional info came from the TM (Technical Manual). The test procedures were described in the chapters on the Hydrostatic Power Train (port plugs) and Hydraulics (SCV). I have to say the Deere TM is one of clearest and easily understandable shop manuals I have, fully explaining the theory & function of the different componet systems on the tractor. Hope it helps.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks DFB,

I have the TM for my tractor on order...guess I'll wait and read it.

Larry

 

[ERNIEB]

From the link DFB provided http://www.hydracheck.com/jfm.html This page shows an in line connector that can be installed and all you have to do is screw the gauge in whenever you want to check it. They list several of these connectors and I guess the trick is making sure you get the right size and style for your application.

Ernie
"You can plainly see that the Alamo was never built by a military people for a fortress."
Green Jameson, Jan 1836 (in a letter to Sam Houston)<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by ERNIEB on 1/12/01 05:36 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[MChalkley]

MarkCG & Larry - Remember that our tractors have "open center" hydraulics, so the whole system is just one circuit - therefore, if you put a gauge in it almost anywhere, it will read the pressure (resistance to flow) generated by using any valve in the circuit.

The handiest place (for me, anyway) was on the loader valve block, especially since I almost never remove the loader. (If you use this location to tap into the system, you just have to mount the gauge on a part of the loader that also detaches with the loader. No big deal, unless you really need the gauge when the loader isn't in place, which isn't too likely.) I put a rigid tee directly on the loader valve block "pressure in" port, then re-attached the "pressure in" hose to the inline port on the tee. On the top port of the tee, I put a flow restrictor bushing, followed by the hose to the gauge. The purpose of the flow restrictor bushing is to keep all the fluid from being shot up into the air instantly if the gauge or the line to it burst - I'd at least like to have time to shut the tractor off before it damaged anything.

Again, remembering the "open center" design of the hydraulic system, even though my gauge is mounted to the loader (you can see pictures of it in my "L4310 Enhancements" thread in the Tractor Customization section), it still registers the pressure required to lift implements by the 3-point hitch, for example, or even the remote cylinders on the hitch itself or gauge wheel implements.

MarkC

 

[ERNIEB]

MarkC, Looked up your picutures and comments in your "L4310 Enhancements". Do you have a close up photo of the gauge? I'd like to see how you have it installed. I have a pretty good idea from your discription, but I still would like to see it.
I would also be interested in your overall impressions, it's usefullness. I should tell you I'm more interested in putting one on my dump truck , but maybe the tractor too.


Ernie
"It will be appalling to you to learn, and see herewith inclosed our alarming weakness"
James C. Neill, Alamo commander Jan. 1836