SSQA Linear Actuator

[GBJeffOH]

I decided to build this.

It is a little slow. Usually I can activate it while I am driving so no waiting.

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My main reason for adding the act

I decided to build this.

It is a little slow. Usually I can activate it while I am driving so no waiting.

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View attachment 169703 View attachment 169703 View attachment 169704 View attachment 169705 View attachment 169703 View attachment 169704 View attachment 169705

My main reason for adding the actuator is I use the grapple a lot. Sometime a branch releases a lever.

 

[John T]

My main reason for adding the actuator is I use the grapple a lot. Sometime a branch releases a lever.

 

[Donystoy]

My main reason for adding the actuator is I use the grapple a lot. Sometime a branch releases a lever.
[/QUOTE]
This is the reason that I have not installed an actuator. Since I only have a bucket and a grapple I have to get off the tractor anyway to hook up or remove the hoses. I installed safety brackets on my levers to hold them in place. I also like to raise the loader after attaching anything to look and verify that the pins are fully in place.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

In that video though, I do not see the actuator attached to anything.

It kind of “floats” in the middle, first unlocking the right side, then unlocking the left.

I have never played with one of those actuators before, but here is my initial thought.

If the actuator was “held in place”, would both sides operate at the same time?

The lever with the lowest force moves first. And no, you cannot fix the actuator because only the "loose" side would move then.

If you want simultaneous movement you could use two actuators with half the stroke length each and fix them in the middle of the loader. They have to be fixed on a pivot to allow a bit of angle movement.

I think the single actuator for both levers is a pretty nifty idea though. Does not really matter which lever moves first. Or do you move both levers simultaneously when you attach something by hand?

 

[TheOldHokie]

If its fast enough you will never notice the lack of synchronization

Dan

 

[nbryan]

My main reason for adding the actuator is I use the grapple a lot. Sometime a branch releases a lever.

... I installed safety brackets on my levers to hold them in place. .
[/QUOTE]
This is my solution. Scrabbled for free from my varied and deep parts (junk pile(s).
I twisted the ssqa frame when a branch lifted a lever while backing up, and the forks frame caught a stump.
No more.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

If its fast enough you will never notice the lack of synchronization

Dan

I like that Dan.

It’s fast and looks sturdy!

Now if I was thinking about doing that, 2 questions come to mind initially.

1. Is the "extended length" of that cylinder what stops the cylinder from damaging the levers? Or is there some sort of “over pressure” built into the circuit?

2. What type of control valve would you suggest to open and close it?

 

[TheOldHokie]

I like that Dan.

It’s fast and looks sturdy!

Now if I was thinking about doing that, 2 questions come to mind initially.

1. Is the "extended length" of that cylinder what stops the cylinder from damaging the levers? Or is there some sort of “over pressure” built into the circuit?

2. What type of control valve would you suggest to open and close it?

That kit fom 5Eleven Designz uses the same mechanical stop mechanism as the manual levers. The plate has two angled flats on the edge that contact the edge of the SSQA frame just like standard levers. You can see how that works in the video. Its a simple bolt on conversion and cheap to make but consider what happens if you loose hydraulics.

The Kubota design uses conventional levers that have an extended tab on the bottom end for attaching the (optional) cylinder. That retains the ability to operate the latches manually. Unfortunately Kubota wants $250 each for thier levers

I already looked at my LA525 and I think I would use the same design as the linear actuator used by the OP.

Alternatively one could make an extension arm that bolts on top of the levers using the existing mounts and duplicates the OEM design. I am sure my laser cutting shop could crank them out for ~15 a pop.

An OTS hydraulic cylinder would run about $150.

You can use any third function valve and Kubota and 5Eleven both sell a 6 way electric diverter to "hardwire" the cylinder while retaining your normal third function operation. A manual diverter might be simpler and definitly cheaper

Dan

 

[D2Cat]

Here's my solution. Necessary tools minimal. Necessary labor minimal. Cost also minimal, Functions simple.

 

[nbryan]

Here's my solution. Necessary tools minimal. Necessary labor minimal. Cost also minimal, Functions simple.

View attachment 169942

I actually tried that. One swamp-bush branch catching that and it was gone.
Really.
Don't depend on that piece of hooked rubber holding, one bit.
My bolted on steel angle iron laughs at the bushes. An it's easier to engage than frozen stiff rubber bungee cords fighting my old messed up rotator cuffs, that's for sure.

 

[JasonW]

Pics would be great.

In that video though, I do not see the actuator attached to anything.

It kind of “floats” in the middle, first unlocking the right side, then unlocking the left.

I have never played with one of those actuators before, but here is my initial thought.

If the actuator was “held in place”, would both sides operate at the same time?

This would "in theory” eliminate the need to do one side before the other, and instead save time by doing them both at the same time.




BTW, just for the record, I also agree with the "use it or lose it” mentality regarding physical movment (to a degree)……However, the “tinkerer” in me wants to make one just for “sh1ts and giggles”.

Didn’t for get just got busy with a project. The way mine is mounted is covered in the first page.
Although I was releasing my bucket earlier to time it and it broke the mount. I used aluminum EMT and the bolt just pulled itself through it. Time for a redesign, might go with steel or a different type of mount.

 

[Superjet511]

I like that Dan.

It’s fast and looks sturdy!

Now if I was thinking about doing that, 2 questions come to mind initially.

1. Is the "extended length" of that cylinder what stops the cylinder from damaging the levers? Or is there some sort of “over pressure” built into the circuit?

2. What type of control valve would you suggest to open and close it?

Hello there,
Justin from 5Eleven Designz.
To answer your questions above, the levers are designed so that the "stops" are the same shape as the Kubota handles, but they are not used to stop at full engagement/disengagement. They simply allow one to stop once in position if it has traveled to the engagement point prior to the other.
This system was engineered so that the cylinder when fully extended or retracted puts the handles (flats) in the same position as the factory handles. In other words, the travel is controlled by the cylinder stroke and not the flats on the levers so the cylinder cannot over travel.
The system was designed to be used with any hydraulic third function or dedicated circuit. You can either plug into your third function and unplug when a grapple or another hydraulic attachment is needed, or purchase our optional manual multiplier so unplugging the SSQA kit is not necessary. You simply flip a manual lever when going to or from an attachment that uses hydraulics.
Feel free to reach out with any questions. I am releasing a video on our YouTube channel soon that shows the ins and outs of this system as well as some other accessories for the Grand L series of tractors.
Sales@5elevendesignz.com
734-719-0311
Thank you!
Justin

 

[JasonW]

Love it my man!

I have plans to do something similar.

In my head, the actuator needed to be fixed (via a bracket or something)….but apparently not.

Just "thinking outloud” here…….I wonder if affixing the actuator would speed things up?

Just got mine back together today and timed it. It’s 33 seconds to latch. And the same time to unlatch.