Third Function Valve
whstein
Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 10 Vancouver Island |
2008-05-11 153620
I will be picking up my new Kubota B26TLB next week and have been wondering whether or not to get the "Third Function Valve" option. It's about an $800 option and I'm not sure I need it. I understand it is a necessity for a 4-way bucket (which I don't have) but what other reasons are there for it? Thanks guys. Wally Stein
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Third Function Valve
candoarms
Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1932 North Dakota Pics |
2008-05-11 153622
Whstein,
You will absolute need to have the rear remote hydraulics if you plan to put a cement mixer on your tractor. It's impossible to dump a cement mixer without a hydraulic top link. All cement mixers designed for use on a 3-point hitch come equipped with a hydraulic top link.
Aside from the top link, you may also use the rear remote hydraulics to power the chute on a snowblower, or to lift and lower the bar on a sickle mower. It can also be used to power a hydraulic jack hammer, log splitter, and/or gauge wheels on a cultivator.
There are many tractor implements that use either hydraulic cylinders or motors. Most can be attached to the three-point hitch. Without at least one rear remote outlet, these implements cannot be used.
It's nice to have this option, but you'll have to decide if it's worth the 800 bucks to you. If you ever plan to pour concrete with your tractor, it's not really an option at all.....it's a MUST-HAVE item.
Joel ....
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Third Function Valve
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon Pics |
2008-05-11 153623
Extra valves can be handy but they're only useful if the implements you own need them. I use extra valves for top-and-tilt on 3ph, for a grapple, and to dump a pull behind dump trailer. If you don't have the need then extra valves are a waste of money (and they can always be added later if needed). ....
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Third Function Valve
whstein
Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 10 Vancouver Island |
2008-05-11 153628
Thanks for the quick replies. I should have been clearer. I was referring to a Third Function Valve for the front end. I will have the extra valve on the rear because I am getting the hydraulic thumb for the backhoe. Wally Stein ....
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Third Function Valve
auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2168 West of Toronto Pics |
2008-05-11 153629
Joel, my cheapy mixer dumps manually, using an arm that levers it over.
But does an extra hydraulic tap have to cost $800? ....
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Third Function Valve
candoarms
Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1932 North Dakota Pics |
2008-05-11 153630
Auerbach,
I've researched the cost of adding a set of rear remotes to several of my previous tractors. It's not cheap to do.
It doesn't have to cost 800 dollars, but even the cheapest route will cost a guy about 500.....plus several hours of labor.
Hydraulic hoses and fittings aren't cheap these days. Hydraulic control valves are also expensive. And I'm one of those guys who likes to make things look presentable when I'm done with a project.....which involves quite a bit of tinkering in order to hide most of the ugly stuff, as well as to keep it out of the way.
I've seen these things installed in a haphazard fashion. And while they do work, it sure ain't pretty to look at. I prefer to do things in a professional manner. I guess it comes from many years of repairing medical equipment for a living. We never took any shortcuts when fixing life-saving equipment.......and I don't intend to start doing that crap now.
Adding a third valve can be done rather cheap-like, but it will certainly show afterward. It all depends upon how fussy a guy is about the appearance. You'll never hear me complain about how another fella does things, because I truly believe in the absolute right to do with your property as you please.
Adding a third valve to the front-end loader is rarely necessary, unless the tractor is going to be used primarily as a haying machine, where a grapple is required to handle those large round bales. However, there just aren't many compact tractors capable of lifting one of those bales anyway.
Joel ....
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Third Function Valve
auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2168 West of Toronto Pics |
2008-05-12 153636
Wally, I'll just add this to Joel's helpful comments.
A tractor has a service life in the half-century range, so the $800 gets spread out. It will distinguish your tractor when selling it, whereupon you'll get most of it back. With more sophisticated attachments available, it's better to have a factory option and not need it than vice versa. ....
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Third Function Valve
Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada Pics |
2008-05-12 153649
It seems whstein's comments were missed slightly.
He is talking about adding an extra function (circuit) to his FEL control valve, NOT a rear remote.
It would be helpful for little other than a grapple. That is really only useful for things like loading and carrying bulky items like firewood or brush.
It would also be useful for controlling a snowplow on the FEL in place of the bucket, but since you are talking about a BX24 and you seem to live in an area where that is not likely a priority, IMHO you can safely pass on it.
Best of luck. ....
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Third Function Valve
Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York Pics |
2008-05-16 153736
They are used for grapples as Murf suggested as well as four in one buckets, and if you choose to have a snow plow on the front for hydraulic angle. On some machines we use them for front mounted post hole auger drives. ....
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