X585 3rd Hydraulic or power beyond

[RHWing]

Has anyone added a third circuit to an x585 tractor? I would like to add one that I could plumb to both the front for a loader thumb and to the rear for other uses. Perhaps some type of electric switch that could divert flow between one of the existing circuits. The factory set up has a lockout valve that must be closed when using the loader - I believe to prevent backpressure from the loader in use from damaging the HSD transmission. So any new circuit would have to be isolated as well.

I would also like to be able to isolate the mid-mount/3pt lift arms from the bucket curl on the loader. As configured, the two are linked which makes it very impractical to use the loader with a rear blade or box scraper for landscaping.

I realize this is an inherent limitation of the system Deere designed as it's a very light tractor for that sort of work. However I use it for that all the time with the loader and find it very capable - it's small size is quite an asset in already landscaped property. I looked into replacing it with a 2305 but the dealer tells me I won't be able to fit all my 62C deck, 519 collection system and 47 blower to it. Primarily we use it for mowing, leaf cleanup and snowblowing - all of which it is incredibly well suited for and good at.

Thanks for any advice or additional understanding of the hydraulic system on my tractor you can provide. If this doesn't work out I may just get an old ford for back blade and box scraper.

 

[kennyd]

RH,
I will preface the following by saying I am not familiar with the hydraulics on a X-Series tractor, But:

A electric diverter can certainly be added to any existing circuit, a popular one we use on the CUT's is the 5117a from the Surplus Center. A manual unit is about $75 or so. Usually the dump/curl circuit is used.

 

[welcomematt]

I just finished adding 2 more circuits in the front and will be adding/splitting the rear lift this summer (when it gets a bit warmer). This will give me a total of 5 controls. I looked at both hydraulic and electric linear actuators and decided to go with the linear actuators in the front and a hydraulic selector in the rear. I decided to go with linear actuators in the front because I also wanted to use a joystick control for the snowblower (up/down and rotate left/right), and didn't want to redo all the hydraulic lines. The joystick is from Allen Bradley (800T-T4T8) and it works very well. I used the same mechanism that was already there on the 47" snowblower to do the chute rotation, and just replaced the cylinder with a marine inline actuator. I used another marine inline actuator for the chute up/down control. Right now the joystick is mounted in the cup holder, and is removable in the summer months; the cable that connects the joystick just gets pulled back into the glove box. I also put a quick connect, water proof connector in the front (near the hydraulic ports). So when I need to use the snow blower, I connect the 4 hydraulic lines and the 1 cable. The hydraulics move the snowblower up/down and swing it left/right using the existing JD steering wheel controls. The linear actuators control the chute (up/down and left/right) using the joystick. No plans to add a thumb to my loader; but if I need to, all the controls are there.

As for your comments regarding the cylinder shut-off valve, this is what the loader 45 manual says: Operating loader without hydraulic cylinder shut-off valve in closed position will result in poor loader response. The shut-off valve does not isolate the loader, it just ensures that all the oil will go to the loader instead of the mid-lift and loader at the same time.

This summer I'm planning to remove my shut-off valve and put in a hydraulic selector and an additional switch on the dash. This will enable me to select which cylinder gets the power (mid/rear or front) using the same JD steering wheel control. The hydraulic selector what was mentioned before is a good choice.