Free Flow Spool Valve

[KB6930]

View attachment 740072 Just one question - is this the kind of adapter I require to switch up to 3/4" fittngs from 1/2"

Yes something like that but you should be able to get an adapter to go straight from whatever you screwed into the plate directly to 3/4

I'd doubt that your tractor will have enough flow or pressure to cause any problems through a 1/2 return unless it was running at full engine revs

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

If you oversize the return coupler (compared to spools), then you kill two birds with one stone - can’t mix up flow and return/free flow and a larger free flow throat should be able to handle whatever your spools can chuck without fear of any return pressure hiccups.

As suggested by @Mr Happy changing the gender of the free flow coupler on the tractor is good practise too. Typically that’s how tractors with a factory free flow come plumbed.

 

[Ukjay]

Yes something like that but you should be able to get an adapter to go straight from whatever you screwed into the plate directly to 3/4

I'd doubt that your tractor will have enough flow or pressure to cause any problems through a 1/2 return unless it was running at full engine revs

It was more the fixed pipe ferrul on the Post Knocker hydraulic hose - as that has the 1/2" threaded part attached to the pipe insert that the 1/2" male end screws onto, but I understand what you mean about the tractor end if that is available.

Thank you for the feedback

 

[Ukjay]

If you oversize the return coupler (compared to spools), then you kill two birds with one stone - can’t mix up flow and return/free flow and a larger free flow throat should be able to handle whatever your spools can chuck without fear of any return pressure hiccups.

As suggested by @Mr Happy changing the gender of the free flow coupler on the tractor is good practise too. Typically that’s how tractors with a factory free flow come plumbed.

Thanks PS,

I will look at the option to switch around as long as the PN is 1/2 BSP, then I will look to get the plate drilled out at a later stage to allow direct 3/4" fitting.

Incidentally, why are the spool valves all female receptors - as I would ahve thought that this too woul d be advantageous to give direction of Flow and Return, or is there a reason for this (apologies if that sounds a dumb question - but tractors are obviously not my fortee)?

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Incidentally, why are the spool valves all female receptors - as I would ahve thought that this too woul d be advantageous to give direction of Flow and Return, or is there a reason for this (apologies if that sounds a dumb question - but tractors are obviously not my fortee)?

Depending on what your hitching up, sometimes you want the flexibility to swap over pressure and return lines from the spools. Some history and plain old ‘convention’ comes into it too I would have thought.

 

[KB6930]

It was more the fixed pipe ferrul on the Post Knocker hydraulic hose - as that has the 1/2" threaded part attached to the pipe insert that the 1/2" male end screws onto, but I understand what you mean about the tractor end if that is available.

Thank you for the feedback

Yes that's what you want for the thumper end if you need to go to 3/4 couplings

 

[Ukjay]

Depending on what your hitching up, sometimes you want the flexibility to swap over pressure and return lines from the spools. Some history and plain old ‘convention’ comes into it too I would have thought.

Thanks - one more question if I may. Are they set out - pressure on the top spool vlave - return on the bottom, or is it simply the lever in the cab that denotes when they become pos / neg?

I hope that makes sense..

 

[Ukjay]

Yes that's what you want for the thumper end if you need to go to 3/4 couplings

Thanks KB

 

[KB6930]

Most are just whichever way you put the lever so doesn't matter what port you take the feed from

From memory and it was 20yrs ago now my Massey 3085 only 1 had a float position the ither was only double acting but I could be wrong

 

[Ukjay]

Most are just whichever way you put the lever so doesn't matter what port you take the feed from

From memory and it was 20yrs ago now my Massey 3085 only 1 had a float position the ither was only double acting but I could be wrong

Float - now I have another question. I am assuming by float, it refers to the possibility to push a lever to a forward or rear position in the cab - and the lever will stay there, thus allowing the implement to follow an undulating surface (loader etc) whilst scooping something up - or have I just made a complete tw@ of my logic, and there is a switch somewhere or it is automatic?

 

[shumungus]

Float, you have it sussed does what it says on the tin lets oil move freely back and forth through the spool valve.
Female hyd couplers are used on tractor end as these facilitate self removal if you drive off with pipes attached, hard to do the other way round.
Easy to switch round male and female on your return connection just screw male probe off end of postdriver hose leave crimped ferrule alone and swap with female coupler you have installed on tractor saves mix ups when connecting.
Manufacturers supply 1/2 Inch male probes fitted to most equipment as it is industry standard, idiot proof and gets you going.
If you look at writing on hoses on post driver the return hose will probably be 5/8 as that is the size of the port on a protech valve block, this will have been fitted with a 1/2 probe for the above reasons.
The larger bore you can make your return pipe and fittings the better as it will help to negate friction loss and constriction and speed up the freefall speed of your hammer which has a direct input on your machines ability to drive in big awkward tight things as well as increasing overall workrate.

 

[Ukjay]

Right, been out an investiated further. As I suspected - both the flow and return are the same pipe - both 1/2" as can be seen in the photo below - but the good thing is I think I can swap the Male and Female part over to take what I believe to be the raturn back to the rear end plate of the tractor:

Pipe and Male Fittings:

Luckily I think I can remove the one that is identified as the return and swap with the female fitting on the tractor:

Now - I am assuming the flow will potentially come in from the left hand side (where the Slew Arm control plate is on the first photo) - and return from the right hand side, whereby I can then trace the appropriate pipe through the protective sleave and swap the end terminal fittings around:

Now as for float - neither of my In cab levers stay open, and there is no notch felt when going to the full forward of rear positions, so I assume I do not have a float valve set up on my tractor - so assume it is return to centre spring kind set up, thus will have to wedge teh lever forward as indicated by someone previously?

 

[Netherfield]

Would usually expect to have P stamped on the pressure side, and T(tank) or R(return) on the other.

 

[Ukjay]

Would usually expect to have P stamped on the pressure side, and T(tank) or R(return) on the other.

Thanks Netherfield, I will have a look - as nothing glaringly obvious thus far.

 

[Mr Happy]

Thanks Netherfield, I will have a look - as nothing glaringly obvious thus far.

The inlet port in the valve is nearest the work section for weight up and down. Also it nearest the pressure relief valve cartridge.

 

[Ukjay]

The inlet port in the valve is nearest the work section for weight up and down. Also it nearest the pressure relief valve cartridge.

So the right hand site pipe then?

 

[Mr Happy]

So the right hand site pipe then?

Yes as in the picture with the handles towards you and the work section function labels facing upwards. [emoji106]

 

[Ukjay]

Yes as in the picture with the handles towards you and the work section function labels facing upwards. [emoji106]

Thanks Mr Happy,

Will follow the route of the pipes and swap the ends of the other terminal fitting to female (left hand pipe)

 

[yellowbelly]

Crikey, @Ukjay , the value if that old Massey will have nearly doubled now you've got that shiny new bit screwed in

 

[Ukjay]

View attachment 740120
Crikey, @Ukjay , the value if that old Massey will have nearly doubled now you've got that shiny new bit screwed in

Got to treat the ladies sometimes you know - they bite hard if you don't provide them the bling, and the boss will not let me get a slightly newer tractor