Hydraulic Levers Converted To Electric-Over-Air

Hydraulic Levers Converted To Electric-Over-Air TRACTORS Hydraulics 20-4-7 Terry Macomber, Semans, Sask., used offthe-shelf parts to convert the hydraulic levers on his 1981 Case 2390 2-WD tractor to an electric-over-air control system that he can operate with the flip of a switch. Macomber uses the tractor to pull a pair of International 7200 hoe drills. "The lift cylinder on each drill is hooked up to a separate remote outlet so I can control each drill separately. However, the control levers for the cylinders are in an awkward location and having to handle them both at the same time got to be a real chore by the end of the day. I tried lengthening the levers to make them easier to operate, but that didn't really solve the problem. The electric-over-air conversion lets me control both cylinders by simply pressing a switch instead of having to tug on the levers. "I considered buying aftermarket solenoid-controlled hydraulic valves but I couldn't find a solenoid that was built heavy enough. Instead I decided to just re-place the manual levers on the existing valves with a pair of small air cylinders con-trolled by four 12-volt solenoid air valves and a small 12-volt air compressor. Since this was an experiment I didn't want to eliminate all the original lever hook ups so I just pulled the pins at the valve end of the remote cables and left everything intact. After I got it all hooked up and my air pressure set at the correct pressure I was very pleased with the results. "I bought most of the parts at a surplus store although the compressor came off an old Cadillac. It was used to operate the car's air shocks. I spent less than $250. I think the same system could be adapted to most other tractors." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Terry Macomber, Box 177, Semans, Saskatchewan, Canada S0A 3S0 (ph 306 524-4529).

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