Hydraulic connection for post driver on L3200

[Nobby]

I have an L3200 and have bought a post driver that uses the tractor hydraulics for operation (tilt, mast, etc). The tractor has the tip trailer pipe and a return valve, and I've connected the two hoses (flow & return) to these. The problem is I can't find a way to divert the hydraulic fluid to the tip trailer pipe/ post driver. I've been told there should be a tap/ lever to do this, but can't find one. The tractor has a front loader fitted. I'm sure someone must have fitted a post driver to this tractor, so hopefully someone will be along to help.
Cheers
Robin

 

[TheOldHokie]

I have an L3200 and have bought a post driver that uses the tractor hydraulics for operation (tilt, mast, etc). The tractor has the tip trailer pipe and a return valve, and I've connected the two hoses (flow & return) to these. The problem is I can't find a way to divert the hydraulic fluid to the tip trailer pipe/ post driver. I've been told there should be a tap/ lever to do this, but can't find one. The tractor has a front loader fitted. I'm sure someone must have fitted a post driver to this tractor, so hopefully someone will be along to help.
Cheers
Robin

I am confused. These post drivers typically have thier own valve and only require a supply and return from the tractor. Are you saying you get no flow from your tractor connection? Since I am clueless about a "tip trailer pipe" a picture or two might be educational.

Dan

 

[Nobby]

I am confused. These post drivers typically have thier own valve and only require a supply and return from the tractor. Are you saying you get no flow from your tractor connection? Since I am clueless about a "tip trailer pipe" a picture or two might be educational.

Dan

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, that's correct- I can't get any flow from my tractor connection. It's a hydraulic pipe for a tipping trailer -I'll post a picture to help.

 

[Nobby]

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, that's correct- I can't get any flow from my tractor connection. It's a hydraulic pipe for a tipping trailer -I'll post a picture to help.

Here are some photos

 

[TheOldHokie]

Here are some photos

Kubota used this arrangement on a number of different models. I have something similar on my B7200. The hydraulic takeoff is coming from the port on the 3pt lift cylinder next to the lowering speed control knob. The other coupler is just a return into the hydraulic reservoir on the tractor. There are no external valves visible in that circuit so flow is probably controlled by some combination of the lowering speed valve and the position control lever. My best guess is raising the lever to the top will cause the 3pt to come to the top of its travel at which point you will get flow and pressure at the coupler on the back. It may be necessary to close the lowering speed knob to get that to happen,


I suggest you hook your post driver up with the pressure hose going to the coupler on the crossbar and the return to the coupler on the filler. Now raise the 3pt lever all of the way up. It looks like there is a gate in the lever guide plate - take it past that gate to the very top and lock it there with the recess provided for that purpose. Now check to see if the post driver is getting flow. If not close the lowering speed valve and recheck. Let us know what you find out.

I see you also have a hydraulic top link on the post driver. Where is the valve that controls that and how is it plumbed into the system?

Dan

 

[Nobby]

Here are some photos

I've worked out I need a dedicated rear hydraulic valve, so I'll use a new post to see if someone has one.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I've worked out I need a dedicated rear hydraulic valve, so I'll use a new post to see if someone has one.

Why do you think that?

Dan

 

[Nobby]

Kubota used this arrangement on a number of different models. I have something similar on my B7200. The hydraulic takeoff is coming from the port on the 3pt lift cylinder next to the lowering speed control knob. The other coupler is just a return into the hydraulic reservoir on the tractor. There are no external valves visible in that circuit so flow is probably controlled by some combination of the lowering speed valve and the position control lever. My best guess is raising the lever to the top will cause the 3pt to come to the top of its travel at which point you will get flow and pressure at the coupler on the back. It may be necessary to close the lowering speed knob to get that to happen,


I suggest you hook your post driver up with the pressure hose going to the coupler on the crossbar and the return to the coupler on the filler. Now raise the 3pt lever all of the way up. It looks like there is a gate in the lever guide plate - take it past that gate to the very top and lock it there with the recess provided for that purpose. Now check to see if the post driver is getting flow. If not close the lowering speed valve and recheck. Let us know what you find out.

I see you also have a hydraulic top link on the post driver. Where is the valve that controls that and how is it plumbed into the system?

Dan

Thanks, yes, that seems to be the way it works, which is a problem as I can't lower the post driver and operate it.
The post driver needs to be controlled independently of the link arms, so I need another solution.

 

[Nobby]

Why do you think that?

Dan

Hi Dan, Sorry, replied before I saw this!
Because I need the link arms up to get the hydraulic flow, so can't lower them and work the post driver

 

[TheOldHokie]

Hi Dan, Sorry, replied before I saw this!
Because I need the link arms up to get the hydraulic flow, so can't lower them and work the post driver

Yes - I figured as much. On my tractor there is a selector valve built into the 3pt tap that switches it back and forth between the 3pt and the outlets. so that is not a problem for me when I am using the 3pt llog splitter. Yours does not seem to have that feature.

The direct to tank coupler return on your tractor is perfect for the post driver - exactly what the instructions usually call for. You should try to work it into your plumbing. So what you need is an easy way to switch the power beyond loop on you loader circuit to the pressure outlet for the post driver after you have moved the post driver into position. The down side is the loader and 3pt won't work when the post driver is selected. If the post driver valve had a power beyond port in addition to the tank return you could get both but without it you are limited in your options. What is the make and model of teh post driver?

Dan

 

[Nobby]

Yes - I figured as much. On my tractor there is a selector valve built into the 3pt tap that switches it back and forth between the 3pt and the outlets. so that is not a problem for me when I am using the 3pt llog splitter. Yours does not seem to have that feature.

The direct to tank coupler return on your tractor is perfect for the post driver - exactly what the instructions usually call for. You should try to work it into your plumbing. So what you need is an easy way to switch the power beyond loop on you loader circuit to the pressure outlet for the post driver after you have moved the post driver into position. The down side is the loader and 3pt won't work when the post driver is selected. If the post driver valve had a power beyond port in addition to the tank return you could get both but without it you are limited in your options. What is the make and model of teh post driver?

Dan

The post driver is a Protech P30 Inline. Yes, once in position I had figured I would need to 'switch' the hydraulics to the post driver operation. I'm not bothered if the loader won't work with the post driver.
Apologies, I'm replying to both posts.....

 

[TheOldHokie]

The post driver is a Protech P30 Inline. Yes, once in position I had figured I would need to 'switch' the hydraulics to the post driver operation. I'm not bothered if the loader won't work with the post driver.
Apologies, I'm replying to both posts.....

Yes - me too. I looked at that post driver and it does not operate the way I expected. It simply pulls a large weight to the top of teh mast and drops it. It appears the weight is hoisted with a cable and then free falls when released. Is there a valve on the implement or just cylinders?

Dan

 

[Nobby]

Yes - me too. I looked at that post driver and it does not operate the way I expected. It simply pulls a large weight to the top of teh mast and drops it. It appears the weight is hoisted with a cable and then free falls when released. Is there a valve on the implement or just cylinders?

Dan

Yes, not rocket science! There is a bank of valves for the tilt x2, mast and the weight.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Yes, not rocket science! There is a bank of valves for the tilt x2, mast and the weight.

That changes teh calculus a bit. The drivers I am familiar with use a large spring to drive the post and the cylinder that cocks it has to retract quite rapidly. That means the return line can't have a lot of back pressure on it. In your implement that does not seem to be the case since the weight free falls. So cylinder flow coming back through the tractor hydraulics should not be a concern.

Good luck,

Dan