L3800 HST hydraulic return connection

[L3800HST]

Hello all.

The amount of knowledge and experience on this site is utterly amazing.

I own a Kubota L3800 and absolutely love my tractor. I own a few acres and the limbs and brush are beginning to close in on the trails and my fields I have on the farm. I am looking at the Lane Shark LS3 front brush cutter which will fit my tractor.

My problem is where do I connect the hydraulic return line from the brush cutter. The L3800 does not have an external line going back to the sump and the only thing I can think of is a "T" into the return line down at the front manifold under the right floorboard. I bet someone has done something like this before.

This is where the power beyond and flow line is mounted. Am I on the right path or will connecting to this manifold damage my tractor?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

LW

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yep that is where you hook up a return.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Hello all.

The amount of knowledge and experience on this site is utterly amazing.

I own a Kubota L3800 and absolutely love my tractor. I own a few acres and the limbs and brush are beginning to close in on the trails and my fields I have on the farm. I am looking at the Lane Shark LS3 front brush cutter which will fit my tractor.

My problem is where do I connect the hydraulic return line from the brush cutter. The L3800 does not have an external line going back to the sump and the only thing I can think of is a "T" into the return line down at the front manifold under the right floorboard. I bet someone has done something like this before.

This is where the power beyond and flow line is mounted. Am I on the right path or will connecting to this manifold damage my tractor?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

LW

With the Lane Shark the bigger question is how are you handling the supply side connection?

Dan

 

[L3800HST]

Yep that is where you hook up a return.

Thanks much

 

[L3800HST]

With the Lane Shark the bigger question is how are you handling the supply side connection?

Dan

My tractor has the third function on it so the supply will come from the connection for my grapple. I do not want to damage my tractor as I use it a lot. The small LS3 Lane Shark which uses 5-8.5 GPM hydraulic will work on my quick attach and the 3800 produces 6.3 GPM so I should be OK there. It was connecting the return line that had me stumped.

Many Thanks for your reply

I talked to Kubota dealer about renting a machine and all they wanted to do was rent me an excavator with a cutter on it for $750.00 per day plus delivery.

 

[TheOldHokie]

My tractor has the third function on it so the supply will come from the connection for my grapple. I do not want to damage my tractor as I use it a lot. The small LS3 Lane Shark which uses 5-8.5 GPM hydraulic will work on my quick attach and the 3800 produces 6.3 GPM so I should be OK there. It was connecting the return line that had me stumped.

Many Thanks for your reply

I talked to Kubota dealer about renting a machine and all they wanted to do was rent me an excavator with a cutter on it for $750.00 per day plus delivery.

I am familiar with the LS. How well have you researched it?

What if any control option are you buying with it?

Do you understand that direct return will disable your 3pt and rear remotes?

Do you understand the tilt and curl function on the loader valve will interrupt power to the LS?

What I am trying to say is just make sure you know what you are getting.

Dan

 

[L3800HST]

I am familiar with the LS. How well have you researched it?

What if any control option are you buying with it?

Do you understand that direct return will disable your 3pt and rear remotes?

Do you understand the tilt and curl function on the loader valve will interrupt power to the LS?

What I am trying to say is just make sure you know what you are getting.

Dan

Thanks for the input Dan,

I am buying the switch kit for the 3800 and LA524 loader. SKHYDLS from Lane SHARK. The switch turns it on and off and I will mount it on the right fender close to the seat.

I will not be using the 3 pt when the LS is on the tractor otherwise I disconnect the remotes on the front of the tractor. I do not have rear remotes. My hydraulics should be normal when the LS is disconnected.

Using the LS switch kit which turns it on and off I should be able to bring the LS to what ever level I need to cut branches.

I am new to this front end brush cutter business and am learning as I go, BEFORE, I spend any money.

Any info or guidance you can offer I am more than happy to give my attention. Even the good and bad and DO NOT BUY recommendations.

You have been very helpful,

Thanks

LW

 

[TheOldHokie]

Thanks for the input Dan,

I am buying the switch kit for the 3800 and LA524 loader. SKHYDLS from Lane SHARK. The switch turns it on and off and I will mount it on the right fender close to the seat.

I will not be using the 3 pt when the LS is on the tractor otherwise I disconnect the remotes on the front of the tractor. I do not have rear remotes. My hydraulics should be normal when the LS is disconnected.

Using the LS switch kit which turns it on and off I should be able to bring the LS to what ever level I need to cut branches.

I am new to this front end brush cutter business and am learning as I go, BEFORE, I spend any money.

Any info or guidance you can offer I am more than happy to give my attention. Even the good and bad and DO NOT BUY recommendations.

You have been very helpful,

Thanks

LW

The LS operation is a bit of a challenge for the open center hydraulic system on your tractor.

1. The hydraulic power for the LS motor is coming from one work port on the 3rd function valve. The switch kit simply holds that port open for continuous flow. Return oil is going straight to tank via your dedicated return line. Thats simple enough.
2. Hydraulic oil for the 3rd function is being supplied by the power beyond port on the loader valve. This is where things can get a little messy.
3. When you raise or lower the loader boom the hydrauilc cylinders will be in series with the motor. That may alter the speed and power of the LS motor. The loads are additive and if you are cutting heavy stuff at the same time you can stall the boom cylinders and the motor. The motor will pick back up when you return the joystick to neutral.
4. When you curl or dump the LS the oil supply frim the PB port will be cut off and routed to tank causing the LS to completely lose power just as in 3.
5. Simultaneous operation of boom and bucket controls has the same effect as 4.

That does not mean the LS does not work but you may find some of that behavior annoying or even a problem. Hopefully someone who has a LS will weigh in with real life experience.

Dan

 

[L3800HST]

Thank you Dan, I truly appreciate your knowledge.

I watched a video where the gentleman mentioned exactly what you are talking about in 3 and 4 and said it was annoying but not a deal breaker.

The branches I will be cutting are not large, 2 inches or so and I would think it means I just need to slow down a bit and be cognizant when moving loader arms and curl. I am retired and not in a hurry.

Is there a FIX for the annoyances you mention? Would a hydraulic power pack help resolve the problem as now the hydraulic system is separate from the tractor system and have more GPM to use. I looked at one with 12GPM vs. the 6.3 the tractor produces.

Again, many thanks for your help and guidance.

God Bless our troops this Memorial Day.
Our freedom is not free

LW

 

[TheOldHokie]

Thank you Dan, I truly appreciate your knowledge.

I watched a video where the gentleman mentioned exactly what you are talking about in 3 and 4 and said it was annoying but not a deal breaker.

The branches I will be cutting are not large, 2 inches or so and I would think it means I just need to slow down a bit and be cognizant when moving loader arms and curl. I am retired and not in a hurry.

Is there a FIX for the annoyances you mention? Would a hydraulic power pack help resolve the problem as now the hydraulic system is separate from the tractor system and have more GPM to use. I looked at one with 12GPM vs. the 6.3 the tractor produces.

Again, many thanks for your help and guidance.

God Bless our troops this Memorial Day.
Our freedom is not free

LW

If using the 3rd function there is no way around those issues but as long as you can live with the behavior its fine.

Off the top of my head a "better" way to power the LS would be with a 3pt mounted PTO pump and 10-20 gallon reservoir. You dont even need a valve - just turn the PTO on and off to start and stop the cutter. Thats completely independent of tractor hydraulics and avoids the heating issues that have plagued the LS from day one. Might even be cheaper than the high dollar C-flow switchery and plumbing. A true power pack would also work but tends to be pricey.

Dan

 

[L3800HST]

Thanks Dan I appreciate your wisdom.

There may need to be a check valve between the supply and return lines or the cutter would just wind down for a while, I think. But a good idea.

I found a power pack at Good works tractor for $2500.00. It seems all the power packs have a huge GPM 20 GPM and more flow and that may damage the pump on the cutter. LS3 only 5.5-8 as I recall.

LW

 

[TheOldHokie]

Thanks Dan I appreciate your wisdom.

There may need to be a check valve between the supply and return lines or the cutter would just wind down for a while, I think. But a good idea.

I found a power pack at Good works tractor for $2500.00. It seems all the power packs have a huge GPM 20 GPM and more flow and that may damage the pump on the cutter. LS3 only 5.5-8 as I recall.

LW

The check valve is actually what lets the motor spool down and dissipate all the inertia of the spinning blade. As long as the return line is open to tank it shouid not be needed but having it does not hurt. Its nothing more than a $15 inline check valve.

A power-pak is really overkill if all you want to do is power the LS. You can buy a 20 gallon reservoir and a 10 GPM pump for less than half the cost of that GoodWorks rig.

Dan

 

[L3800HST]

I am going to take your advice and buy a tank, pump and some hoses to make this work and save my tractor hydraulics.
Thanks for all your info and knowledge. It is guys like you that have the expertise and "been there, done that" experience that make this forum so valuable to those of us who just do not know.

Have a great Memorial weekend and thank a service member when you see one.

LW

 

[TheOldHokie]

I am going to take your advice and buy a tank, pump and some hoses to make this work and save my tractor hydraulics.
Thanks for all your info and knowledge. It is guys like you that have the expertise and "been there, done that" experience that make this forum so valuable to those of us who just do not know.

Have a great Memorial weekend and thank a service member when you see one.

LW

Well I have not "done that" but its not rocket science. Please keep us up to date on the project and any "gotchas" you run into.

Dan