Anyone added a 3rd function?

23118 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by dsevern, Feb 5, 2012

dsevern

Discussion Starter · Jan 12, 2012

I may be "underthinking" this again, but after going to both ends of the internet, I've found that adding third function hydraulics to my L2800 so I can add a grapple to the FEL is going to cost between $775 for a kit, to "about $1000" to have a dealer install said 3rd function. That looks like a lot of money for what appears to me to be basically a valve, some fittings and a couple of lengths of hose.
I heard the idea of using the rear connections, but I have a backhoe attached, which is really handy for big stumps, and takes about 30 minutes to remove or reinstall, so that's too big a pain when I'm clearing brush (including trees) from my land.
Has anyone done a "self invented" kit/installation for 3rd function on an FEL that would actually recommend a fairly ignorant wrench turner (me) to try it? Or do the smarter folks here recommend I pay the dealer to install the kit and shut up?
(I feel constrained to add that I'm getting cheap because of how much I'm going to cough up to get the grapple itself, to clear the area to build a fence to enclose the well to serve the barn to...well you get the picture.)

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TooManyGT

· #3 · Jan 13, 2012

I made a diverter type 3rd function for my Kubota, the valve I used is no longer available from Surplus Center but there are other diverter valves out there. I have less than $300 in my setup. You can use a seperate valve for grapple but it will require either a second hand or having to take your hand off the loader valve which can be annoying when trying to grab a load.
The other option is to use a electric double acting valve like this one http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=179289 + https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?catname=hydraulic&item=9-5883-1 .

You can either make a control knob to mount on the loader joystick or buy one, however buying one is not cheap.

Since you already have a power beyond kit for the backhoe it should be fairly easy to add a plumb the hyd. as you should be able to tie it into the existing lines with leaving them hooked up to the BH.

If you decide to go the self buit route there are plenty of people on here to help you figure out the hookup as long as you have some basic mechanical knowledge which it sounds like you do.

Brad

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TooManyGT

· #5 · Jan 13, 2012

Dive in! As long as you can post pictures I'm sure we can help you work through any snags you run into. I'm by no means a metal master, the grapple was one of my first major projects and I leaned alot of thinks that I would do differently if I were to do it again.

However I can tell you the grapple has been one of my most used implements on the tractor, I'd say its been on the loader just as much or more than the materials bucket.

You already have the PB on the tractor for the backhoe so I'd say tying in shouldn't be a problem. That was the hardest part for my 3rd function intall, tying in and finding a place to mount the valve itself lol.

Brad

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