Low Cost Way To Boost Hydraulic Output

Low cost way to boost hydraulic output TRACTORS Miscellaneous 17-3-12 "I needed a third hydraulic valve on my tractor to operate a loader-mounted bale fork but didn't want to spend $300 or more for an electric-operated valve so I came up with an inexpensive manually-operated alternative," says Leland Kenney, Des Moines, Iowa. "I bought a lever-operated double selector valve for $60 and plumbed it into the hydraulic lines beneath the tractor floorboards, extending the control lever with a rod that runs up through the floorboards into the cab. I made a hand lever to fit the rod and also equipped it with a foot pedal so I can switch hydraulics back and forth either by hand or foot. Both hand lever and foot pedal are spring-loaded so the hydraulics return to the original valving when the lever or pedal is released. "By rearranging hoses on the original outlets at the rear of the tractor, it takes just a couple minutes to return the tractor to its original configuration when the loader is removed. "I used this hydraulic switch system all last season and it worked fine. It's just as good as an electric-operated valve." Contact FARM SHOW Followup, Le-land D. Kenney, 1225 Army Post Rd., Des Moines, Iowa 50315 (ph 515 285-3494).

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