National loader #16 Hyd control valve problems

[650gSatoh]

Hi Guys,

I have an old Satoh tractor which has the above FEL on it. One thing after another keeps braking on the old girl but she is fine for my uses.The bucket lever has always been slow and harder to push in to dump the bucket, than curling it up. It has finally given up the ghost and now is extremely hard to push in and goes slower than a snail, making the FEL unuseable.

The lift lever on the left is quite snappy front to back and also "locks in" to the valve when fully pushed forward. I swapped over the hoses to eliminate the cylinders being a problem. The bucket then worked as normal and the problem was transferred over to the arm lift.

There are no manufacturer names/numbers on this valve though I imagine it was a generic valve of it's time. What are the possibilities of finding parts for it or should I look to buying a new valve?

If it's a case of broken parts, which part do I need to undo? The top screw on the right or the cap at the front of the valve body inline with the lever?

FYI the hydraulic pump is mounted on the front of the crankshaft by coupler. Kayaba GP-1 pressure loading. 4.1G/min open center. A real speed demon

 

[Harry in Ky]

It's doubtful you will find anything parts wise other than O rings. I would plan on a new valve. They are plentiful, available everywhere, and not all that expensive. I wouldn't recommend one of the "super cheap fifty nine dollar" models, but easily found for $150 or so. I have good luck with units in that price range.

 

[650gSatoh]

It's doubtful you will find anything parts wise other than O rings. I would plan on a new valve. They are plentiful, available everywhere, and not all that expensive. I wouldn't recommend one of the "super cheap fifty nine dollar" models, but easily found for $150 or so. I have good luck with units in that price range.

Thanks for your reply. I figured as much.

How about this one?

Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 2 Spool, 11 GPM

Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 2 Spool, 11 GPM

summit-hydraulics.com

Its pressure relief is adjustable and comes factory pre set for nearly a 1000psi more than my system rated pressure relief valve of 1706psi. Do I need to adjust it down or will it be fine seeing it is higher?

 

[rScotty]

It's doubtful you will find anything parts wise other than O rings. I would plan on a new valve. They are plentiful, available everywhere, and not all that expensive. I wouldn't recommend one of the "super cheap fifty nine dollar" models, but easily found for $150 or so. I have good luck with units in that price range.

I agree. Several places online sell overstock loader control valves. Decent quality & prices.
It should bolt right up.
Specify your flow rate, hose threads, and whether you want that that "lock in" detent again.

 

[650gSatoh]

I agree. Several places online sell overstock loader control valves. Decent quality & prices.
It should bolt right up.
Specify your flow rate, hose threads, and whether you want that that "lock in" detent again.

Thanks.

Well I know the 4 hoses going in the top are 1/4 NPT as I replaced them last year. Not sure the size of the In and Out hoses are. Will need to find a guide of how to measure them.

I'm not worried about the "lock in" feature as that slows the movement right down. Not sure why I would ever need that, it goes slow enough as it is.

 

[BigGG]

Thanks for your reply. I figured as much.

How about this one?

Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 2 Spool, 11 GPM

Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 2 Spool, 11 GPM

summit-hydraulics.com

Its pressure relief is adjustable and comes factory pre set for nearly a 1000psi more than my system rated pressure relief valve of 1706psi. Do I need to adjust it down or will it be fine seeing it is higher?

Is there another relief valve on the pump discharge before this valve? If so, this ones setting doesn't matter. If not, this one should be set to your system pressure.

Does the front pump serve just the loader, not the 3ph? If it runs anything besides the loader, I'd expect the valve to have a third connection besides 'in' and 'out', commonly called 'power beyond'. If so, you'll need to order a power beyond adapter sleeve.

You could get a valve with a joystick instead of two levers if you want to.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Thanks for your reply. I figured as much.

How about this one?

Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 2 Spool, 11 GPM

Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 2 Spool, 11 GPM

summit-hydraulics.com

Its pressure relief is adjustable and comes factory pre set for nearly a 1000psi more than my system rated pressure relief valve of 1706psi. Do I need to adjust it down or will it be fine seeing it is higher?

Funny you should ask about that one. I just ordered one of those a couple weeks ago as a replacement for an old obsolete unit similar you yours. It's working out great.

 

[650gSatoh]

Is there another relief valve on the pump discharge before this valve? If so, this ones setting doesn't matter. If not, this one should be set to your system pressure.

Does the front pump serve just the loader, not the 3ph? If it runs anything besides the loader, I'd expect the valve to have a third connection besides 'in' and 'out', commonly called 'power beyond'. If so, you'll need to order a power beyond adapter sleeve.

You could get a valve with a joystick instead of two levers if you want to.

Thanks for the reply and extra questions. I don't know what I don't know about hydraulics

It does have a 3pt on the back and the 2 hoses that supply and return are fed from the rear hydraulic tank. I know from looking at the manual about the flow/psi from the hydraulic pump and just that it stated the pressure relief valve was set at 1706psi. But have no idea where it is or what it looks like.

I will get some more photos. But the control valve that is on it has been on it from since before I got the tractor and has been working for the last 10yrs.

 

[650gSatoh]

Is there another relief valve on the pump discharge before this valve? If so, this ones setting doesn't matter. If not, this one should be set to your system pressure.

Does the front pump serve just the loader, not the 3ph? If it runs anything besides the loader, I'd expect the valve to have a third connection besides 'in' and 'out', commonly called 'power beyond'. If so, you'll need to order a power beyond adapter sleeve.

You could get a valve with a joystick instead of two levers if you want to.

Here are those photos.

In regards to a single joystick I'm not sure if I would prefer that, having never used one. I imagine it takes some practice and I tend to use this tractor sporadicly.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Bear in mind that the valve in your photos is not configured for power beyond. That isn't a concern if the oil supply and return don't involve the three point, steering, or any other hydraulic functions. Is that the case?

And yes, the relief valve setting on any new valve you install will need to be set to match your system requirements.