Switching FEL valve body to another.

[LD1]

Instead of replacing your valve with this other one, why not supplement it with the other one? Tee off before your existing valve and run to the new one so now you have 3 new extra functions Instead of just one. And you don't have to sacrifice float or anything else.

Sounds good on theory....but you can't "tee" a pressure line on an open circuit system

 

[strantor]

Sounds good on theory....but you can't "tee" a pressure line on an open circuit system

I don't know that we know it's an open center circuit. Was that confirmed already?

 

[LD1]

I don't know that we know it's an open center circuit. Was that confirmed already?

Not confirmed but but still 99.9% probability its open center. Therefore....NO TEE on the pressure line

 

[strantor]

Not confirmed but but still 99.9% probability its open center. Therefore....NO TEE on the pressure line

Ok then, put the other valve manifold in series with the existing one rather than in parallel.

 

[LD1]

Ok then, put the other valve manifold in series with the existing one rather than in parallel.

Yup. Which is why I was asking if current or new valve is a power beyond valve.

 

[ericm979]

A loader valve should have one spool that floats, so you can float the bucket. Often that is used for back dragging to smooth dirt, or when scooping up material on a hard base that's not level.

A good loader valve is carefully balanced so you can raise/lower and curl at the same time. My old Kubota could do that and my current Branson can't. While it's not a deal breaker- I bought the Branson knowing how the valve worked- if I was going to the trouble to add a new valve I'd want it to let me do both operations at the same time. I don't know how you find that out though as its not in the usual specs.

 

[rScotty]

A loader valve should have one spool that floats, so you can float the bucket. Often that is used for back dragging to smooth dirt, or when scooping up material on a hard base that's not level.

A good loader valve is carefully balanced so you can raise/lower and curl at the same time. My old Kubota could do that and my current Branson can't. While it's not a deal breaker- I bought the Branson knowing how the valve worked- if I was going to the trouble to add a new valve I'd want it to let me do both operations at the same time. I don't know how you find that out though as its not in the usual specs.

I never did hear why the OP wants to change his original valve. BTW, his tractor is an open center hydraulic ciruit. Almost every compact and smaller tractor under 45 hp is open center. Many tractors up to 90 hp are as well. Most older tractors are open center with John Deere full size ag tractors and construction equipment being the notable exceptions.

If the tractor is closed center, it will have a pressurized container called an "accumulator". You can't miss it. Don't mess with it.

To replace valves, the port threads need to either match or use thread adapters. I like quick disconnects, but they are by no means necessary, just convenient. And more expense.

Multi-spool low flow control valve sets are inexpensive these days on the surplus mfg. goods market, I can't imagine why anyone would go to the hassle of re-plumbing with a used valve. But I'm curious. My bet is you'll eat up any savings just in hose & adapter costs.

No you cannot Tee off a open center pressure line. You can use the Power Beyond port to daisy chain blocks of control valves if you plumb them right, have the right PB sleeve installed in each valve, and run a separate return line from each valve block.

That ability to raise and curl at the same time is one of the things you get with a better quality valve - always assuming that the system has enough flow to do both at once. The other thing you get with a quality valve is greater precision at very low flows and small movements of the bucket and arms. With a really good valve you can move very,very slowly and repeatably in small increments. Taking maybe five or ten seconds for it to creep a quarter of an inch.

Float can be tested because the valve control lever will mechanically "stick" at the extreme throw. Doesn't need to be hooked up. Usually only one spool in a multi-spool valve body will have float. Float actuation is just a spring, a ball, and a detent in the spool. I don't use float much if ever. Some do.
good luck,
rScotty

 

[Zebrafive]

Hmm... First I gotta figure out what that means..

It means determine if you have open or closed center hydraulics.
I assume open.
Open uses PB (Power Beyond)
Closed does not use PB
So, LD1 was saying determine if it's open center (will have PB) and that closed center (no PB) will not be compatible if you have open center.

 

[LD1]

It means determine if you have open or closed center hydraulics.
I assume open.
Open uses PB (Power Beyond)
Closed does not use PB
So, LD1 was saying determine if it's open center (will have PB) and that closed center (no PB) will not be compatible if you have open center.

And if the new valve is an open center valve with no PB, it wont work with either open or closed center tractors.

There is ALOT more to hydraulics than some simple fittings that thread in and a handle. You have a real possibility of really screwing this up if you dont know what you are doing