Hydraulic valve question: continuous pressure and spring levers

[PhilipT]

Hello,

I would like to buy a tractor implement to control weeds in my vineyard, in between the plants: CLEMENS - Radius SL Plus - YouTube
My tractor is a Ford 4100 Vineyard

It requires hydraulics for two purposes:
1) adjustment of the width of the frame, with a double acting cylinder
2) running the servo motor. This requires continuous pressure

I'll be upgrading the original control valve of my tractor to operate it, because the original part has only one (single acting output), and it is operated by the lever of my three point hitch

However, all the aftermarket valves I come across, have spring levers: they automatically revert to the middle position, interrupting the flow as soon as I would let go.
E.g. Hydraulic dual remote valve Ford 6 7 8 2 3 4 261 291+ Tractor - Spare Parts Holland

I'm probably not seeing something, can you advice on how to tackle this please?

PS I asked my New Holland dealer, he told me it would cost about 3.000$ (which is insane), without giving further details...
PS2: I realize now that I've should have put this in the Hydraulics category... Too bad I can't move it

 

[LouNY]

Do you want the bad news or the worse news first?
What is the hydraulic flow rating of your tractor? And what is the needed flow for that implement.
All of the Fords I have dealt with had open center hydraulics.
The after market is full of stack valves with various configurations available including detented motor valves,
Stack valves will allow you to pick and choose what you wish for activations such as motor, detented motor, spring centered, float etc.
With a low flow system and especially open center when ever you use one valve the others down stream of it will see less available flow and the pressure will drop to which ever valve has the lowest pressure requirement to work.
This is just one of many manufactures for the US I see you are in Belgium there are many European manufactures also.
Series 21 - Direct Acting Solenoid Operated Stackable Directional Control Valve | Brand Hydraulics Product Information

 

[ptsg]

Those attachments don't require that much flow.

The mower attachment requires about 5 GPM.

The rotary cultivator, which is basically a vertical tiller, but just one spindle, requires about 9 GPM, but I don't think the OP is going to use that. Just the mower.

Specs straight from the manufacturers website.

 

[PhilipT]

Thanks Lou, I appreciate your help!

The flow is 25 liters per min (6gpm); the minimum for these devices is 20l/min; it's quite low because the motor only operates when it comes across a vine (to move aside)
I would only operate 1 device at a time: raising lower the lift, making the frame smaller, or actually running the hoeing blade.

Thanks for pointing out the stack valves, that creates indeed plenty of options. The only main question left then is how to feed them. I presume I still need to replace the original control valve (see picture), and put something in place that provides continuous pressure to the stack valves block then.
This might be it: Hydraulic Remote Valve Kit for Ford Tractors 2 26 3 36 4 41 46: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

What do you think please?

 

[LouNY]

The one you have linked to is a single double acting remote, so you will only have one output.
A diverter could be added to get your second remote, either electric or manual.
A goggle search for dual remote kits for Ford 4100 turned this up.
https://www.steinertractor.com/FDS3550?crawlparam&msclkid=2e8ac76881e4120ebbdd9815a24c908f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(ROI)%20Shopping%20-%20PT&utm_term=4584482451756152&utm_content=All%20Products

 

[PhilipT]

Thanks again!
Perhaps a final question: the dual remote you found doesn't detend, right? So, when I have a servomotor connected to it, I would have to keep pressing the valve lever with my hand? Or is there a better solution?

 

[LouNY]

You are correct it doesn't have detents.
One thing that came to me last night,
you already have a single action output,
that could provide the power to a remote mounted set of stack valves.
Stack valves are available with many options,
an example would be the Prince SV series.

PART NO. SPOOL TYPE AND ACTION
SVW1BA1 4-Way Double Acting w/ Spring Center (Work Ports Blocked in Neutral)
SVW1CB1 4-Way Motor Spool w/ 3 Position Detent (Work Ports Open to Tank in Neutral)
this would get you the cylinder function and the detented motor function and with the open to tank in neutral the motor can spin down and not be shock loaded when stopping,
then if desired other valves can be added for more functionality in the future, such as;
SVW1DD1 4-Way 4 Position Float w/ Spring Center and Float Detent

These could be mounted were convenient with your existing valve feeding them (it would have to be tied on)
and a simple return line to the reservoir.

 

[PhilipT]

Hey Lou,

Thanks for pointing out this device. There's just one aspect left: the current single output that I have is operated (start/stop flow) by the same lever as the three point lift (...)
There is a small valve (control valve, push/pull, see picture) beneath my side that has three positions:
1) Only activate three point lift
2) Three point lift and external output combined
3) Only external output

This is unpractical to use , as my implement is carried by the 3 point hitch. The combined position would move my implement up when I want to power the implement, and the external output position would make it impossible to change the height of the implement when using it. Now, I might get away with it, if I put the implement (3 point hitch) in draft control rather than position control. Draft control lowers the implement to the ground. I guess I could try it, with the device you mentioned.

Regards,
Philip

 

[LouNY]

This is interesting and making me scratch my head;
I found a power beyond plate for the Ford it is listed for your model,
Philip;

I'm not sure how it would fit with your existing valve or if it would,
if it works it would feed remote mounted valves.
I searched for power beyond for Ford 4100.
https://www.steinertractor.com/FDS457?crawlparam&gclid=CjwKCAjwzvX7BRAeEiwAsXExo8LgAKAwSf6itk_tbSus-nHCWf6brUqra6mJZSxM0nyYHsM221AhKBoCvRkQAvD_BwE
On this page were it says instructions they have an old image out of a manual on installing it.

Good Luck
Lou

 

[Sportsman762]

If you want to run a remote hydraulic valve you will need to use a sandwich plate. This plate fits under your current valve and directs hydraulic flow to the remote valve.
There are two styles of sandwich plates for the fords, the HV4901 and HV5902
VALVE PLATE KIT | Quality Farm Supply

ADAPTER KIT | Quality Farm Supply

The outlet from the valve going to the return port of the HV4902 pressurizes the rest of the tractor hydraulic system. This back pressure on the valve could cause the valve to leak past the spools since the plate pressurizes the exhaust portion of the valve. If the valve sees a shock load that causes fluid to bypass the spools it will transmit the shock to the rest of the tractors hydraulic system potentially causing damage. The HV5902 that utilizes a power beyond port to pressurize the tractor hydraulics. The exhaust from the valve dumps directly into the tank through the plate. This arrangement eliminates the backpressure on the valve reducing potential valve spool leakage as the exhaust portion of the valve is not pressurized. IF the valve on a HV5902 plate sees a shock load that causes fluid to bypass the spools it will dump the fluid back to the tank causing no damage to the tractor hydraulics.

I would recommend a HV5902 and a valve with a power beyond port. It will require running one more line, however the safety it provides the rest of the hydraulic system is worth it. The link to the Steiner site is for a HV4902 style plate. Both plates will allow you to keep your current valve.