slowing down hydraulics

rbushmaster · Sep 18, 2010

what are the options to slow down a log lift?
its a seperate control valve

i know you can get a flow control valve for about a $100
is there other ways?

ive read somewhere about putting a washer with small diameter hole between hose and fitting is this ok?
do you put 1 washer on the inlet side or a washer in both the up and down stroke lines

1/2" male on one end of hose 3/8 flare on cylinder side

beenthere · Sep 18, 2010

A restricting washer would be a hit or miss, then change out to find the speed you want. IMO

A flow control valve would be adjustable.

Look at those at Surplus Center (sponsor here).

http://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?catname=hydraulic&keyword=HAFC

There are flow control valves as well as restrictor valves. Also, having 1/4" hoses will slow it down some, but I use the Parker fc. $20 range, not $100

J_J · Sep 18, 2010

How about using the valve in the feather mode. Just push or pull the lever a little bit. You do not have to use full lever throw to activate the log lift.

If nothing else works for you, then you can use a divider valve. This one is a 70/30 split. If installed before the second valve, the 70 percent of the fluid would go to tank, and the 30 percent would go to the lift valve. Reduced flow, reduced speed.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=9-5416&catname=hydraulic

kennyd · Sep 19, 2010

rbushmaster said:
what are the options to slow down a log lift?
its a seperate control valve

i know you can get a flow control valve for about a $100
is there other ways?

ive read somewhere about putting a washer with small diameter hole between hose and fitting is this ok?
do you put 1 washer on the inlet side or a washer in both the up and down stroke lines

1/2" male on one end of hose 3/8 flare on cylinder side

KISS (keep it simple stupid) method applies here. All you need is a needle valve on one side of the cylider that is moving to fast then you can adjust the speed precisely to what suits you. You can go the washer/hole route, but as stated it is hit or miss as to the speed you will end up with. But whatever you do, NEVER put a restrictor on the IN side of the valve, only on the work ports.

rbushmaster · Sep 19, 2010

thanks,
i ended up taking a 3/8 bolt , rounding corners off head drilling a 3/32 hole thru and tack weld in to hose end made it much more manageable could of went even smaller with the hole though

tommu56 · Sep 19, 2010

I've drill and tapped the inside the fitting then put in a brass set screw with the hole like you did that way you can change or adjust it if needed.

jinman · Sep 20, 2010

You can buy these restrictor orifices that normally give you pretty reasonable control. This one is 0.030" or about 1/3 the size you drilled. They typically cost about $4.95 each from my New Holland dealer.