Timber crane hydraulics with John Deere

[manmountain]

Does anyone have experience of John Deeres on timber trailers? I have just fitted a new valve block on the crane trailer as the old one had more leaks than Downing Street! The JD 6400 has closed hydraulic system and I wondered if it is possible that running the crane directly from the tractor hydraulics was the reason the last valve block failed (it was pretty well used as well). Is there something that should be done to the valve or the tractor to ensure a happy union of the two? The crane worked fine directly off the tractor but I had heard tht it may be wise to make some alterations to the ports used on the block? Any nuggets of wisdom gratefully recieved.

[openspaceman]

1 hour ago, manmountain said:

Does anyone have experience of John Deeres on timber trailers? I have just fitted a new valve block on the crane trailer as the old one had more leaks than Downing Street! The JD 6400 has closed hydraulic system and I wondered if it is possible that running the crane directly from the tractor hydraulics was the reason the last valve block failed (it was pretty well used as well). Is there something that should be done to the valve or the tractor to ensure a happy union of the two? The crane worked fine directly off the tractor but I had heard tht it may be wise to make some alterations to the ports used on the block? Any nuggets of wisdom gratefully recieved.

I had some trouble with overheating oil with a big JD running into open centre spool block. It needs the return to be to a point where it dumps directly into tank/axle with no restrictions and most definitely not returning via one of the tractor spools.

 

It may have made better use of the JD's hydraulics to have a closed centre block and load sensing valves but that's a bit too modern for my experience.

[swinny]

 

I'm sure when I ran an older deere 3040 them hydraulics used to pulse for whatever reason. 

 

Sure someone said it was to do with the closed system they run? 

About all I can say or comment

[doobin]

If you don’t have a motor spool (only double acting spools) then the easiest thing to do is to make an adaptor to thread a quick connect into the back end fill port. 

[Gordon the Goat]

I have done this successfully for the last few years using an inline flow regulator to limit the output from the double acting spool (closed centre systems don't like supplying full flow continuously but can keep up with a restricted flow) and fitting a return direct to sump.  Fit a male quick release at the return to sump so you don't get the pipes round the wrong way.  Simple, cheap and effective.

[CallumA]

you should have a flow control on the spool itself. and as mentioned above no restriction return into back end.  I had this on a log splitter and i had to remove the return line fitting out of the spool valve (1/2"BSP)  and behind it was a port with a 3/8"BSP which i had to plug which stopped the oil flowing through the spool valve all the time! This changed it from an open center spool to closed center! You would need to find the spool manufacturer and find out if you can do this or you may need a new section to your spool valve (if sectional) The valve i did the change on was a Bucher valve (from Flowfit)

[Gordon the Goat]

I'm using even older machines (50 series JD) with no flow control on the spool so inline adjustable restricter on the pipe coming out was the way to go.  Return screws into convenient port top left side of the main housing.  Tractor powers the processor when its not on the trailer - as evident in the photo!

Edited November 20 by Gordon the Goat

[GarethM]

Just make sure the flow rates are within the qd fitting abilities, as it can be 1/2 the bore especially on return flow.

[woody paul]

Most valve blocks have a way of changing from closed port to open, some are a flow reducer you put in, tap you turn or plug you screw in.