Kubota L6060 custom front fenders and 900lb weight box. getting ready for winter.

[amhicks21]

Snow plow update!

So, as previously mentioned the electric over hydraulic plow setup was a bit slow. Since I had the tractor back at the shop to do some maintainence i decided to try converting the hydraulics to run off the loader circuit. The lift works good, although its a bit too fast even when being very gentle on the loader stick so ive got some flow control valves ordered. Unfortunately, the angle will not work off the loader circuit because the curl down function actually applies pressure in both directions. Good thing ive got the 3rd function, but its way way way too fast and would probably tear itself apart or toss me in to a parked car so thats also getting a flow control valve as well. Once those come in and i get them installed i'll do an update.


Next, I flipped the cutting edge over since it was about 1/2" taller on the other side and is wearing way faster than my wing rubbers because its a really thin blade and got looking at the way the wings are designed. Ive used addon wings on a several plows and ive never really been happy with them. They are better than having no wings but compared to the wings on something like a Speed Wing or a Wide-Out, theyre pretty bad. The rubber edges end up angling back over time and ive had lots of problems with more snow trailing off then there should be. Initially I was just going to cut some plates to re-enforce the rubber to stiffen it up a bit but even then the rubber edge was angled back. Looking back at a picture from when i first put it together, they always angled back as you can see here.




So, I added a plate to the back side of the wing to relocate the rubber behind and change its angle to be closer to that of the cutting edge. Im really happy with how smooth the profile and transition to the wing is now compared to how it was. Im not too sure that the normal rubber will do exactly what i want but if not i can try double stacking them or adding a sheet of HDPE or UHMW since i dont have to worry about thickness like when it was mounted in front. Once i have a chance to try it out i'll make an update and try to get some better pictures since it doesnt seem like the shop has enough light for my phones camera.

 

[crazyal]

The hydraulic chute rotator motor on my front mount blower uses what looks like a crossover relief valve with an exhaust line that goes back to the transmission to overcome the curl function restriction. You might want to look into a crossover relief valve to protect your hydraulics (if you don't have one) in case you hit something with the edge of your plow. I'm not an expert so I don't know how well they work with single acting cylinders (I would think it would work fine).

 

[amhicks21]

The hydraulic chute rotator motor on my front mount blower uses what looks like a crossover relief valve with an exhaust line that goes back to the transmission to overcome the curl function restriction. You might want to look into a crossover relief valve to protect your hydraulics (if you don't have one) in case you hit something with the edge of your plow. I'm not an expert so I don't know how well they work with single acting cylinders (I would think it would work fine).

Thats good to know about about the rotator motor module. Thanks for that. I guess it only makes sense that they'd need a solution for that type of application. I'll definitely look in to it. Using the third function isnt a bad way to go but i'd have it on the stick if given a choice. I forgot to mension the relief valve situation. Ive got a call in to a buddy that maybe can get me one for cheap or free off of an old municipality plow truck with central hydraulics and im waiting to hear back on that. if not, i'll have to pick one up. Im certainly no expert with hydraulics either so im not completely sure what i can get away with.

 

[Fallon]

Snow plow update!

So, as previously mentioned the electric over hydraulic plow setup was a bit slow. Since I had the tractor back at the shop to do some maintainence i decided to try converting the hydraulics to run off the loader circuit. The lift works good, although its a bit too fast even when being very gentle on the loader stick so ive got some flow control valves ordered. Unfortunately, the angle will not work off the loader circuit because the curl down function actually applies pressure in both directions. Good thing ive got the 3rd function, but its way way way too fast and would probably tear itself apart or toss me in to a parked car so thats also getting a flow control valve as well. Once those come in and i get them installed i'll do an update.

Hydraulics on the curl are suppose to be 4 stage. Right is regen dump (full pressure to both lines, doesnt move a pair of single acting cylinders) but all the way right should be power dump (full pressure to 1, the other to tank).

I hear you on to fast o the 3rd function though. I need a restrictor on my SSQA plow angle circuit.

 

[crazyal]

If your plow moves when you move the loader lever towards you but not when you push it away then try like Fallon said, push the lever even further. I've been doing it for so long with my chute rotator I really don't even think about it.

 

[Fallon]

The economy Kubotas are 3 stage only with a regen dump & no power dump. But the Grands are 4 stage. Or so says the manual, haven't bothered to verify it myself. Kind of moot as I sprung for the OEM 3rd function & have no need for a diverter.

 

[amhicks21]

Hydraulics on the curl are suppose to be 4 stage. Right is regen dump (full pressure to both lines, doesnt move a pair of single acting cylinders) but all the way right should be power dump (full pressure to 1, the other to tank).

I hear you on to fast o the 3rd function though. I need a restrictor on my SSQA plow angle circuit.

Thanks for letting me know about that. I'll have to try that out tomorrow. I dont specifically remember moving the stick all the way to the right but its possible that I didnt. My assumption was that with equal pressure on both the rod end and flat end of the dump cylinders, the rod end will lose because of its decreased surface area and thats all the power they'd want to supply for dumping because with full pressure at the flat end it would cause the curl down to be significantly stronger than its curl up. It actually kind of explained why it feels pretty gutless when trying to backdrag. Maybe Ive just needed to push further.

 

[mike69440]

My L39 I believe only has regen on the curl. I believe this is done to protect the loader, as with strong cylinders you can really stress a loader back dragging with the leading edge of the bucket.

 

[Fallon]

When dumping a bucket, the load is unsupported pas a certain point & pulling on the cylinders. And hydraulic flow is limited so there may not be any pressure on either side if the piston in the cylinder. If seals are worn or leaking the cylinder will suck in air. And you end up with a floppy bucket until the air is purged, until the next dump.

Regen dumps full pressure to both sides of the cylinder. As there is a rod taking up space on one side, the cylinder will overpower the smaller surface area rod end. Instead of going to tank, the excess fluid gets pushed from the rod end to the but end of the cylinder. Pressure is maintained on at least one, if not both cylinder ends so there is no chance for air to get sucked in.

Not an ideal solution, but economical & prevents people from making fun of your floppy bucket.

 

[Fallon]

My L39 I believe only has regen on the curl. I believe this is done to protect the loader, as with strong cylinders you can really stress a loader back dragging with the leading edge of the bucket.

Regen is on the dump, not curl (same cylinders, but only on extension). Regen only works for extending double acting cylinders, not contracting. It's also only of value when something is pulling on the cylinder. You could use it just for speed, but it obviously has drawbacks & complexities that don't make it a great universal solution.

Pretty sure the TBLs have the 4 stage like the Grands.