Adding 3rd function valve to FEL and BH

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fendley

Member

Equipment
L3901, LA525, BH77, SVL65-2
Dec 31, 2016
120
0
16
St Marys, GA, USA
After searching this forum and the web in general, I have been unable to find the Kubota part numbers for kits to add a 3rd function valve to the FEL and BH. Eventually I would like to add a grapple implement for the front, and a thumb for the BH. So this leads to 2 questions:

1) Are there Kubota kits / part numbers for these? I have found several aftermarket solutions ranging from $600 - $1000, but would like to compare/contrast to the Kubota version.

2) I assume I will be daisy-chaining via the existing PF ports, my hydraulic plan is to go from the pump to FEL to 3 fx vlv to BH to 3 fx vlv to tank. Does this make sense? Alternate / better ways to do this?
 
bearskinner

bearskinner

Active member

Equipment
BX25D, snowblower, PHD, Grapple, Snow blade, land Plane
Sep 1, 2014
926
241
43
N. Idaho
I think once you get a Grapple, you may not want to bother with a hydraulic thumb on the BH. The Grapple on my little BX is so strong, and so much easier and faster to work with, there's no use going to s much smaller hoe thumb. Unless you are placing heavy rocks for a living, the Grapple is awesome
 
S

scdeerslayer

Member

Equipment
MX5200DT
May 23, 2016
434
1
18
SC
Contact your dealer for a kubota kit. They're probably about the same price.

As far as the backhoe thumb, I don't really know if you want to dig into the backhoe hydraulics, they seem to be a lot more complicated. I wouldn't use a 3rd function kit, maybe a diverter, or a separate joystick valve. Another idea for the backhoe thumb is what I'm planning - tee into the bucket curl lines and put an open/closed solenoid valve on the cylinder side line. I've seen a couple of guys on TBN that did that and one has a video on youtube of how it worked. When the valve is closed, the bucket works as normal. When the valve is open, the bucket and thumb work together like a claw grapple. You've got some wiring to run but a lot less to deal with on the hydraulic side. Either way though is a lot cheaper than a factory hydraulic thumb kit.
 
F

fendley

Member

Equipment
L3901, LA525, BH77, SVL65-2
Dec 31, 2016
120
0
16
St Marys, GA, USA
scdeerslayer said:
Contact your dealer for a kubota kit. They're probably about the same price.

As far as the backhoe thumb, I don't really know if you want to dig into the backhoe hydraulics, they seem to be a lot more complicated. I wouldn't use a 3rd function kit, maybe a diverter, or a separate joystick valve. Another idea for the backhoe thumb is what I'm planning - tee into the bucket curl lines and put an open/closed solenoid valve on the cylinder side line. I've seen a couple of guys on TBN that did that and one has a video on youtube of how it worked. When the valve is closed, the bucket works as normal. When the valve is open, the bucket and thumb work together like a claw grapple. You've got some wiring to run but a lot less to deal with on the hydraulic side. Either way though is a lot cheaper than a factory hydraulic thumb kit.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I'll head over to TBN and look for that. When the valve is closed, is the thumb all the way back against the boom?
 
O

OldeEnglish

New member

Equipment
B7100D, MMM, B205 Dozer Blade, woods m48, b2910
Jul 13, 2014
768
7
0
Western, MA
Do you have one of those fold down thumbs on your BH? If so I don't understand why the need for it to be hydraulically operated?
 
S

scdeerslayer

Member

Equipment
MX5200DT
May 23, 2016
434
1
18
SC
The factory thumb pivots on the same pin as the bucket, they use a longer pin. I've got the factory thumb with the telescoping linkage.

There are also aftermarket thumbs that attach to the dipperstick near the bucket.

That welded gusset is for the other end of the hydraulic cylinder.
 
Tarmy

Tarmy

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L2800, BH76A, FEL,box scraper
Nov 17, 2009
464
363
63
Lake Almanor, Ca
View attachment 26487

This is how I installed my thumb...I use that thing almost every time I am on the tractor. Bought it with the manual...figured out fast that was a hassle...installed this and the rear remotes for thumb and TnT for box blade...

I was going to install the front grapple set up with third function valve on front bucket...just haven't got the thing done yet....
 
Last edited:
K

kenmac

Member

Equipment
B26 with hyd. thumb and 4 in 1 loader bucket and EA Grapple, but not the wicked
Dec 14, 2015
92
9
8
Pell City, Al.
Best decision I ever made concerning any tractor was having my B26 equipped with third function valve on FEL and hydraulic thumb on BH. The dealer had never equipped a B26 like this, but was able to get all parts to do so, I assume from Kubota. Third function is electric but thumb is hydraulic valve added to valve block. Foot pedal actuates thumb and it works very well. Worth every penny for what I do, which is mostly removing privet hedges and recovering overgrown fence lines, etc. I highly recommend both additions.:):)
 
F

fendley

Member

Equipment
L3901, LA525, BH77, SVL65-2
Dec 31, 2016
120
0
16
St Marys, GA, USA
kenmac said:
Best decision I ever made concerning any tractor was having my B26 equipped with third function valve on FEL and hydraulic thumb on BH. The dealer had never equipped a B26 like this, but was able to get all parts to do so, I assume from Kubota. Third function is electric but thumb is hydraulic valve added to valve block. Foot pedal actuates thumb and it works very well. Worth every penny for what I do, which is mostly removing privet hedges and recovering overgrown fence lines, etc. I highly recommend both additions.:):)
Click to expand...
Any idea what the parts numbers are, so I can ask my dealer?

Is the foot pedal only for the thumb? My BH77 has no foot pedal.
 
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