3rd function, remotes, and top and tilt

[Firekracker50]

Hello jjst joined the forum. I have a Kubota L3902 with front loader and quick hitch. I just bought it this year. Ive owned the same 1967 Ford 3000 for years, and still intend to keep it.
Currently impliments include 5' land pride rotory cutter, 6' bushhog, 2 grader boxes, 5ft disk, double bottom Dearborn plow, subsoiler, landscape rake, lime spreader, sprayer and seeder.

I would like to outfit my kubota with the items listed in the title so that I can get a grapple. And to be able to cut ditches on my roads and have better control grading.

Im looking at the summit 4 spool kit with front 3rd function and 3 spools for the rear. I would like to run from 2 of those spools top and tilt cylinders. So im also looking at the summit top and tilt kit. And I would still have an extra spool on the rear or that I could route to the front for an extra function on the front if needed.

Does anyone have any experience with either of those kits. How do you like them? Any recommendations of others I should look into?
Also open to suggestions on grapples.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The chances of needing an extra remote up front, over the third function, in front is highly rare.
You don't need a 4 spool kit and third function and 3 spool valves.
You already have the loader valve, you just need to add the third function.
And the three spool valve for the rear.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I believe that you are considering electric valves, yes? Electric valves are far from optimum for controlling top & tilt cylinders. I'm not saying that they don't work, but in no way can you feather the controls as you can with manually controlled valves. And the need to feather the T&T controls is very common.

Just something to consider.

 

[Firekracker50]

Yes I was looking into electric spools. I did consider a multiplier for the 3rd function using my loader controls. But that wouldn't help feather the rear controls.

Suggestions on options for the rear?

If I do end up with electric are the summit or wr long better?

 

[Russell King]

I think everyone is saying that you can easily add a 3rd function valve to the existing FEL valve and then add a line to the rear of tractor for the manual valve rear remote. Then two more hoses on the rear valve (power beyond and tank return.

Pump will provide flow to the FEL valve, then the 3rd function connects to the FEL valve and feeds power to the rear remote (as I understand it). The rear remote valve must be ordered with a PB sleeve installed which is then routed back to the tractor to supply power to the three point hitch. Then a tank return from rear remote to tie into the tank return line from the FEL.

Rear remote valves like these

BUCHER - 12 GPM MANUAL DIRECTIONAL CONTROL STACK VALVES | Trausch Dynamics

1 to 10 work sections per valve stack Load hold check on each section Open or closed center capability Hard Chrome plated spools, body is high strength cast iron, seals are Buna N Compact Construction Parallel circuit (series available) Balanced i...

www.hydraulicstore.com

Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 2 Spool, 11 GPM

Monoblock Hydraulic Directional Control Valve, 2 Spool, 11 GPM

summit-hydraulics.com

 

[Firekracker50]

I like the idea of having the manual valve instead of the electric solenoid. Does anyone sell a kit with hoses the right length and mounting brackets?
I dont want something I have to drill holes make brackets for. I wouldn't mind on my old 3000. But on a new tractor thats hard to do

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I like the idea of having the manual valve instead of the electric solenoid. Does anyone sell a kit with hoses the right length and mounting brackets?
I dont want something I have to drill holes make brackets for. I wouldn't mind on my old 3000. But on a new tractor thats hard to do

Get OEM rear remotes.

 

[hedgerow]

I like the idea of having the manual valve instead of the electric solenoid. Does anyone sell a kit with hoses the right length and mounting brackets?
I dont want something I have to drill holes make brackets for. I wouldn't mind on my old 3000. But on a new tractor thats hard to do.


Sounds like this tractor is going to be around for a long time. Just spent the money and install OEM remotes and be done with it. No matter were you mount a aftermarket valve it always looks like a half baked job. You are not going to like electric valves for feathering a top and tilt. I have ran a lot of aftermarket valves years ago because we had no choice. I had tractors with three remotes and needed five. Know days all my bigger tractors have a least five remotes on them from the factory.

 

[Russell King]

See Fit Rite Hydraulics if you don’t want to pay for OEM.

Fit Rite Hydraulics - fitritehydraulics.com

Manufacturers of tractor 3 point hitch top and tilt hydraulic kits, hydraulic top links and hydraulic side links.

www.fitritehydraulics.com

@TheOldHokie may be able to provide the kit for valve and hoses.

 

[McMXi]

Im looking at the summit 4 spool kit with front 3rd function and 3 spools for the rear.

Does anyone have any experience with either of those kits. How do you like them?

I have three factory rear remotes on both tractors and Summit Hydraulics multipliers on both too. I think that the Summit systems are very well made and wonder why people don't install just one rear remote with one lever and control grip, then add a 4X muliplier. I've never had to operate two remotes at the same time so having a control grip with momentary buttons on a single lever seems to be a very nice way to operate stuff out back.

I should probably do the math and figure out the cost of one factory rear remote with lever, a 3X multiplier and a 3-button control grip.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I have three factory rear remotes on both tractors and Summit Hydraulics multipliers on both too. I think that the Summit systems are very well made and wonder why people don't install just one rear remote with one lever and control grip, then add a 4X muliplier. I've never had to operate two remotes at the same time so having a control grip with momentary buttons on a single lever seems to be a very nice way to operate stuff out back.

I should probably do the math and figure out the cost of one factory rear remote with lever, a 3X multiplier and a 3-button control grip.

View attachment 167015

View attachment 167017

View attachment 167016

That's a whole lot of "junk in the trunk" going on there!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

The issue with pretty much all of the Kubota rear remotes is the excessive internal valve leakage, allowing cylinder drift. There are several different solutions for dealing with that issue.
Some valves are not as bad as others, just an odds on issue. Depending what all you do with the tractor if it is an issue easy to live with or simply a PITA and some sort of solution is desired.

Most all of the valves used for these open center hydraulic systems have internal leakage issues. It's just some are worse than others and some are, well they have to be dealt with in some way if you plan on using the valve.

The valve set pictured has the control levers very close to where they would be located in a cab tractor in relation to the seat.
Yes the levers as pictured move in a different direction (up-down) vs towards you or away from you as they are in a cab tractor, but that is an option also.

Just another option that is available.

 

[McMXi]

That's a whole lot of "junk in the trunk" going on there!

I must be a control freak!!

 

[Firekracker50]

Thanks everyone for all the info and suggestions. I guess if I had to pick my preference for what would be ideal. It would be the following. But I have yet to find anyone selling these setups as a kit with the right hoses and brackets.

Ideally I would want a 3rd function that is an electric push button on joystick controlling a diverter from the loaders lift circuit. That way I could push the button then use the joystick to open/close the grapple and curl. Then release the button and lift.

Then on the rear control levers that go in the factory possitions behind the 3pt control lever. 1 or 2 spools here would be fine. And then a multiplier to add another function to the rear. Because I cant ever forsee needing to control more than one function on the rear at a time. So a multiplier would be fine.

This is the closest I have found to what I want. But its pricey. And more to it than I actually think I need.

https://www.5elevendesignz.com/product-page/kubota-hydraulic-remote-kit-l-series

 

[TheOldHokie]

Thanks everyone for all the info and suggestions. I guess if I had to pick my preference for what would be ideal. It would be the following. But I have yet to find anyone selling these setups as a kit with the right hoses and brackets.

Ideally I would want a 3rd function that is an electric push button on joystick controlling a diverter from the loaders lift circuit. That way I could push the button then use the joystick to open/close the grapple and curl. Then release the button and lift.

Then on the rear control levers that go in the factory possitions behind the 3pt control lever. 1 or 2 spools here would be fine. And then a multiplier to add another function to the rear. Because I cant ever forsee needing to control more than one function on the rear at a time. So a multiplier would be fine.

This is the closest I have found to what I want. But its pricey. And more to it than I actually think I need.

https://www.5elevendesignz.com/product-page/kubota-hydraulic-remote-kit-l-series

You dont want much

There are plenty of sources for a true third function starting at $375.

Amazon.com: Third Function Valve Kit, Fit for Kubota L2501, L3200, L3301, and L3901, Commonly used to add Grapples, Augers, Snowplow tilt, Snow blower, OE TFK2 : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Buy Third Function Valve Kit, Fit for Kubota L2501, L3200, L3301, and L3901, Commonly used to add Grapples, Augers, Snowplow tilt, Snow blower, OE TFK2: Spare & Replacement Parts - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

Nobody sells a rear remote kit that goes in the OEM position. I had one in the works 3 years ago but got clobbered by lung problems that put it on hold. I am exactly one year post double lung transplant anx hope to get it restarted in the very near future. My target price is $600 for base kit with one valve and $1000 or less for three spools and outlets. Availability is at least 4-6 months out and dependent on continuing improvement of my health.

You can hang a three spool valve on the ROPS for $600-$700. I dont have a kit for that but they are easy and I can whip one up in about a month.

Dan

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I have not seen it mentioned yet, but decide if you want a Dual Pilot Operated Check Valve (henceforth DPOCV)…………..BEFORE you buy your cylinders.

They prevent “leakdown” of the cylinders.

It’s a real PITA/impossible to convert them afterwards.