JD 4710 needs more hyd ports

Partsman2 · Apr 24, 2005

I need some help/advice.

I just yesterday received my WR Long root & brush grapple for my 4710 /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. I bought the HyVair electric divertor valve, joy stick thumb switch, and the quick disconnect kit with the grapple.

I am an avid DIYer and opted to install myself rather than have the JD dealer do it. Everything is there in the kit that would normally be needed and it is a really nice setup. The install should be a breeze.

I have run in to one snag though /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. I already have a power beyond kit installed for my 48 backhoe. The problem is that the hoses for opening and closing the grapple need to hook in to the system at the same ports that are used for the PB.

One option is to make new hoses and hook in to the existing PB ports. The problem with this is that on a JD when you hook up to the PB you lose your 3PH hydraulics. I can see this being a major inconvenience as I will most likely run a box blade or grader blade while clearing brush. It would be a major hassle to switch the lines everytime I want to go from the grapple to to the blade. I can also see the need to run the backhoe when digging stumps, etc. So to me this is not an option.

I tried to find additional ports coming from the dual SCV and an extra return port to the reservoir housing. I found plugged off ports at both locations but can not tell if they are what I need or not. I checked with the dealer and they have to wait until Monday to call WR Long to see if they have run into this before and also call JD to see what factory options are available

.

I looked at teeing off the existing PB lines but this will be a major hassle dealing with the steel lines. An easy fix I guess would be to replace the steel lines with hoses and put tees in.

Another problem I have with the JD setup is that I want to add a log splitter to my equipment arsenal. With the current setup on my tractor I can't run a log splitter and control my 3PH at the same time. I would like to go with a TnT setup also. Basically I am looking for a setup where I have mutilple spare ports available to plug different tools into.

From what I see this is not available with JD without adding the 3rd, 4th, and 5th SCV. The problem with this setup is that from what I can tell this limits you to using the factory controls. This would eliminate the setup I want on my grapple with the thumb switch and force me to use a separate control lever. This works but is much less efficient than having the thumb switch.

I have seen several posts concerning hydraulics but have not found one that directly addresses the issues I am having. Has anyone else run into these issues before and if so how did you work around them?

Sorry for the long winded post. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Partsman2

jeffinsgf · Apr 24, 2005

I have not tested this theory yet, but I am reasonably certain that if you connect the return side of your new implement to the hose that plugs into the PB port when not in use, the rock shaft will remain operable. It is the port on the left side of the tractor that bypasses the rockshaft. Just plumb so that you use the flexible return hose and I think all will be well. I am going to test this theory in the next couple of weeks, as this is how I am planning to connect my T-n-T. If my plan works, my new SCV for the top and tilt will be bolted to the right rear fender and would normally be connected to the PB as mentioned above. Then when I use the backhoe, that SCV would be capped off. I already have the factory 3rd SCV. If this works, I'll have a 4th and 5th for less than a third of what JD wants.

Partsman2 · Apr 24, 2005

jejjinsgf,

I see what you are saying. I agree that this should allow me to have access to my 3PH while using my grapple.

I guess I would hook my pressure side in to the top PB port and connect the loop hose from the PB to the return side of the grapple. I would have to have some hoses made and buy some quick disconnects to actually test this but there is no reason why it won't work. It's the same hook up but just in a different place. And you still get the loop in the circuit which you must have due to JD being an open circuit system.

What this doesn't solve is that I could not have the BH and the grapple hooked up at the same time. In order to switch from one to the other I would have to switch the hoses. This also doesn't address my other hydraulic wants that require more ports.

I'm going to disconnect the lines to the PB and hook the grapple up temporarily just to test the install. I'll figure out how I'll run the hydraulics in the mean time.

Thanks for the insight! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

jeffinsgf · Apr 25, 2005

I know you wanted to use use your fingertip control for the grapple, but you might consider the JD third SCV. I have that and the control is very convenient -- right by the rock shaft adjustment. This would allow use of the BH and grapple at the same time. My future set up is aimed at top and tilt, so simultaneous use is not important to me.

Partsman2 · Apr 25, 2005

I swapped my hoses yesterday and did get a good test on the grapple. It seems to be fine and the thumb switch is very handy. I couldn't get an actual field test since the RR wheel is off to allow access to the hydraulics. With 220# of wheel weights on the R4 tire I didn't feel like wrestling that on & off again.

The hose kit that came with the grapple is obviously not intended for a tractor with a BH. The bracket for the BH gets in the way of the hoses. I'll have to get 90's to get hooked up permanent.

It looks like the 4th & 5th SCV kit from JD is the easiest fix. Deinitely not the cheapest I'm sure. This comes off the PB connection and provides a total of 4 ports off the back of the tractor. They call them Quadrastatic Ports and there is a quadrastatic lever which I think controls whether or not there is pressure to those ports. There is also a regular control lever which would work a hydraulic cylinder. This setup also allows the 3PH to stay live while using the rear ports. This is probably the way for me to go.

I'll see what the dealer comes up with today and also get a price on the 4th & 5th SCV kit. I'll post what I find out.

Partsman2 · Apr 26, 2005

Problem solved!

After getting a price from the dealer for a diverter kit of around $1500 I called WR Long. They had run across this before and offered a really easy fix.

I ran the pressure hose from the PB port on the dual SCV to the pressure side of the directional valve that came with the grapple. Then I ran a hose from the return side of that valve to the pressure side of the PB connection at the back of the tractor. I removed the steel line that fed the pressure side of the PB kit. The steel line for the return side of the PB kit stays connected to the rockshaft return port.

Everything works great and I still have power to my 3PH when running my grapple. I will also be able to run the BH. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I felt a little silly when I realized how simple it was. All I had to do was make a longer hose for the pressure side to fix the problem. All the fittings were the same as the hose supplied by WR Long.

I'll post some pics of the grapple as soon as I get some.