[BWV]

Looks like a bud and cheetos. May I come over?

I love Bud and Cheetos... or in this case a PBR...

Tractor loving company is always welcome!

 

[BWV]

Got some fittings to make this right again

Please remember this is function and finance over form and beauty.

I played with the loader hoses, and 90 degrees to the mast seemed the best resting spot, and facing the rear seemed great for the toplink hose, and, should I choose to run these up the loader frame...just fine there too.

I'm going to build a mount, that will "clamp" to the loader upright.. with some kind of t handle for easy mount and dismount.

I will put a little space between the couplers... and dont mind the angled look at all.

 

[BWV]

Thanks! Knowing those exist may come in handy on another project.
I'm happy with the direction things are pointing in.
I would like the QDs parallel...but it doesn't affect function at all, so I'm gonna leave them.
I have been thinking about cutting the npt end of the orb/npt fittings a little shorter. It's kinda gangly looking. But I worry about making a good seal if I do that.
Overall.. it is what I intended now.

 

[BWV]

Soooo...
The cylinder is now extended by about an inch (3/4 was "enough" .. I figured an extra quarter wouldn't hurt)

The Surplus Center Valve took quite a few cycles to actually start working.
I was at the point where I was deciding disassemble or exchange for replacement.
Checked the coil.. 3 amps, and the screwdriver got pulled into it... so.. on and off about 25 times "in situ" and it began working as designed.

So.... with the top link cylinder now extended to where its not a little longer than needed, and the valve working... things look good. I'll build the mount for the loader uprights and do any wiring soon.

I did buy sleeve for the hoses to protect the hoses (and me if one was to leak)... will neaten things up and play more later.

 

[BWV]

Built a bracket today... Kinda "Winged it on the fly"... the idea developed based on what I had in the shed, came out nice, and ties things together well. (Trailer spring shackle mount, some 5/16 bolts, and a peice of inner tube)

It's meant to be "One Piece, Easy Off" for when I don't need the diverter.
Also got the battery end and relay bit of the harness done..just gotta get some wire from the SCV handle to the relay.

 

[BWV]

OK..SO... It's done!
Tested, works AWESOME
I had the 635lb ballast box bouncing around while I spread 12 yards of crushed blue stone and fines, then the back blade spreading it, then the landscape rake.
Not being a "pro" .. I dumped it as best I could..but it was still little piles so was REAL bumpy.
Neither the ballast box, blade, nor rake budged the whole afternoon. The top link held position perfectly.

The base of the loader frame is a busy place now... lotsa hoses. But, nothing rubs, and no minimum bend radii were exceeded. This thing is awesome! total cost, all done (with shipping and tax)... $490
(I owned a couple parts.. if you bought this yourself with nothing "in stock" you'd be around $525)

SO.. the "$60" selector valve project cost $500... but for an occasional light user, it's great.
IF, I was to buy a heavy duty grapple and use it regularly...because of possible very high pressures involved... I would consider a little heavier duty selector... so that would add maybe $100-150

The top link cylinder is more than adequate for light use, and I don't believe the 1 Series 3 point lift capacity would cause you to exceed the forces that cylinder can apply.

Here is a materials list:

Quantity	Description	Part Number	Source
1	6.6 GPM 12 Volt DC Double Selector Valve DFE080	9-12390	Surplus Center
2	SAE ORB 4 Male x 1/4" NPT Female Swivel Straight 6900-04-04 Adapter	9-6900-4-4	Surplus Center
4	SAE ORB 4 Male x 1/4" NPT Male Straight 6401-04-04 Adapter	9-6401-4-4	Surplus Center
4	1/4" NPT Male x 1/4" NPT Female Swivel 90 Degree Elbow 1501-04-04 Adapter	9-1501-4-4	Surplus Center
2	SAE 6 ORB Male x 1/4" NPT Male 90 Degree Elbow 6806-06-04 Adapter	9-6806-6-4	Surplus Center
8	1.25" I.D. Nylon Hose Sleeve for 1/2" Hydraulic Hose NHS-125	9-12496-8	Surplus Center
2	1/4" x 84" 1/4 NPTM x 1/4 NPTM SAE 100R17 Hydraulic Hose Assembly 3000 PSI	916-1484	Surplus Center
2	1/4" x 18" 1/4 NPTM x 1/4 NPTM SAE 100R17 Hydraulic Hose Assembly 3000 PSI	916-1418	Surplus Center
1	1.5x12x1 DA Hydraulic Cylinder Wolverine WWSB1512-S	9-12229-12	Surplus Center
2	Screw	21H1486	Deere
2	Screw	37M7355	Deere
1	Screw	37M7356	Deere
2	Locknut	LVA12162	Deere
1	Grip	LVU16651	Deere
1	Grip	LVU16701	Deere
1	5 Sets 2 Pin DT04-2P/DT06-2S Automobile Waterproof Connector 22-16AWG	DJ3021Y-1.6-11/21	Amazon
1	Jtron Momentary Push Button Switches Off-(ON) Waterproof Rubber Casing	Switch	Amazon
1	Nilight LED Light Bar Wiring Harness Kit	Harness	Amazon
1	Cat 1 top link repair end		Tractor supply
12	18-2 Wire for SCV to Relay (Black)		Lowes
3	1/4" Quick Connect Pioneer Style Coupler M/F set with caps an plugs (1/4" NPT)	1/4” Ag ISO 5675	Various

Photos in a few... gotta go pick some tomatoes

 

[BWV]

Here are some pics of "in ready to work" config...

 

[BWV]

This was a great project, and works exactly as I wanted... I'm real happy with it.

It REALLY shines with the landscape rake with the wheels on... you can so easily set the depth of cut...without having to crane around and spin the toplink, or get off the machine.

Next plan... I am going to make a very simple grapple for my FEL bucket... just something to hold branches in... not sure if I'll use this cylinder or maybe my QH angle cylinder.

 

[BWV]

Here's a video!

 

[BWV]

Yes, the longer 12" one. No regrets at all. Very happy to have the longer stroke

Nope, no iMatch yet. I think it'd be in my way most of the time.
I have however been eyeballin' the Pat's, as I take my 3 point arms off a LOT.

The grapple is still in the "thinkin" stage.

 

[BWV]

I've began planning my "mount on the bucket" add-on grapple grabber thingy...
Not enough stroke here... was thinkin' about using the Quick Hitch Lift cylinder. (4" stroke)

 

[BWV]

Quick update...
Went to use the diverter this week, and it started popping fuses.
Disassembly and testing showed a bad coil.

This coil is Diode Suppressed with a bidirectional diode.
I cut the coil apart to find that the diode itself had failed to a dead short.

Surplus center only offers a 90 day warranty, and is unwilling to offer anything past that. (I asked if theyd consider maybe free shipping... nothing...) Fair enough, I bought it knowing 90 days was it, and knowing its a "surplus" outfit.

They do not supply a replacement coil... so it was either spend another 60 on a whole unit, or investigate and source a compatible part. It's just a little oddly sized so the "common" ones don't fit...but I think I found one that will work for 18$.

In the meantime...and/or if the new coil doesn't fit, the original coil does work with the diode cut out, and I only cut the connector holder portion apart, so I may just solder a new diode in and epoxy it back together.

Bummer...

 

[BWV]

new coil didnt fit... replaced the diode, epoxied it back together for now.
ill try to hone the new coil out to fit, its only about .030 too small.. guessing the pastic inside will tolerate 15 thousandths sanded off.. fingers crossed