Minimum GPM for Loader Question

Good afternoon,

Please pardon me if this question has already been answered here.

I have a JD 1520 with a 146 loader on it which was previously connected to the rear remotes for operation.

I have been collecting the necessary parts to convert the loader controls to a tower mounted 3 spool control valve (3rd function for future DIY grappler)

Here's the question:

My tractor's closed center pump produces 10.5 gallons per minute.

Will an 11gpm pump be sufficient or is there a +/- factor that I need to consider?

Thank you in advance,
Bill

GPM = Speed
PSI = Strength

Any GPM will operate a loader, it just might be a bit slow. I expect 11 GPM will give reasonable performance on a mid sized tractor loader.

That is a closed center hydraulic system. At high loads, only move one lever at a time to maintain pressure and make maximum use of available flow.

The closed system on that tractor will produce above 2000 psi. The loader will have modest cylinder size. resulting in good speed and reasonable lift. If you are doing normal farm/ranch utility work with it all is well. for all day commercial work a different tractor and loader would be better. Jim

Okay thanks everyone this is good info. Looks like 11gpm is safe.

So another quick question I've run several loaders but never one with a joystick style. In fact the backhoe I learned on was a 4-stick Case.

Would anyone have a recommendation about whether to go joystick or conventional?


Bill

Finally, after 60 years of operating a loader with two sticks, I got a loader with the one lever on the
pedestal. Believe me when I tell you that I would never go back to the multiple levers.

(quoted from post at 13:16:35 09/02/23) Finally, after 60 years of operating a loader with two sticks, I got a loader with the one lever on the
pedestal. Believe me when I tell you that I would never go back to the multiple levers.

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This is good to hear. Thank you.

Bill

I like a joy stick myself and it will be easy to use a kit for your grapple. The kit will come with a cover for the joystick and have two buttonsvon it. One opens the grapple and the other closes it. If you have not found them look online at Surplus Center.

(quoted from post at 14:25:00 09/02/23) I like a joy stick myself and it will be easy to use a kit for your grapple. The kit will come with a cover for the joystick and have two buttonsvon it. One opens the grapple and the other closes it. If you have not found them look online at Surplus Center.

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Fantastic thank you

(quoted from post at 17:25:00 09/02/23) I like a joy stick myself and it will be easy to use a kit for your grapple. The kit will come with a cover for the joystick and have two buttonsvon it. One opens the grapple and the other closes it. If you have not found them look online at Surplus Center.

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If I understand right his loader functions are currently run by the remote coupler valves and he is going to add a new loader control valve. Rather than buy a two-spool loader joystick valve, and a diverter kit to run the third function, I would look at a joystick valve with the third spool. I don't see using a separate handle for the grapple as a hardship, as long as the lift and bucket are on the joystick. I expect it will cost less in the end and be easier to hook up (plus no electrical issues on top of hydraulics). This one at Surplus center is an example.

https://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydra...r-Valve-w-Grapple-Prince-HC-V-BP22-9-8217.axd

It is likely there somewhere, but I didn't find a kit like you described at Surplus Center. I did find one at Summit Hydraulics. At Summit the kits like you described run in the 6-to-7-hundred-dollar range, then if he has to purchase a two-spool joystick valve to begin with it is going to add another 3 hundred plus. If the kit is at Surplus and I missed it, please add some links. I have a loader I am looking at upgrading to the 3 spool Prince joystick valve and would like to see options that are cost effective.

If cost is a consideration Summit has a three lever three spool loader valve for considerably less. One needs to be sure to get the closed center conversion for any valve to be used on a closed center system, that is not a true closed center valve. It is common to wind the adjustable relief valve, on the convertible valves, to the maximum when used on a closed center system to prevent it from opening. Also, a true loader valve will have a float detent on the lift spool, otherwise they are just directional valves.

Even 11 GPM will be slow for a loader to me. We have a 574 with a 12 GPM minus the 3 GPM prioritized for the steering and other lubrication purposes as well as the PTO. So really only a 9 GPM capacity slow as molasses any time. I would want more like 20GPM for the pump if I was going to make any changes. In volume. With al least 2500PSI. Now are you going to use the tractor pump still or ad a pump to the system? Then if you do that you could use most any valves you want for an open center system rather than the closed center on the tractor already now. A joystick of somekind would be a happy thing for loader work. then a separate valve with a lever for a grapple or thumb type work would be a good option with no extra electrical junk to make problems on there.

(quoted from post at 06:16:18 09/03/23) Even 11 GPM will be slow for a loader to me. We have a 574 with a 12 GPM minus the 3 GPM prioritized for the steering and other lubrication purposes as well as the PTO. So really only a 9 GPM capacity slow as molasses any time. I would want more like 20GPM for the pump if I was going to make any changes. In volume. With al least 2500PSI. Now are you going to use the tractor pump still or ad a pump to the system? Then if you do that you could use most any valves you want for an open center system rather than the closed center on the tractor already now. A joystick of somekind would be a happy thing for loader work. then a separate valve with a lever for a grapple or thumb type work would be a good option with no extra electrical junk to make problems on there.

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My backhoe has about 30GPM and the loader has larger bore cylinders than a tractor loader will and it performs fine down at ~1000 RPM where it is making nowhere near 30GPM, perhaps 15GPM.