Will_c
Well-known member
Hi all,
We've recently acquired an SMP ST6 tiltrotator that currently runs on the SMP/SVAB MAC 12V proportional valve block.
The plan is to fit it to a Kubota U56-5 while retaining the machine's original joysticks and two auxiliary circuits. Rather than buying the SMP/SVAB control box and joysticks, I'd like to develop my own control system so the machine stays as close to standard as possible.
The plan
I'm thinking of designing a compact display for the cab, housed in a machined aluminium enclosure. It would be similar in style to the displays offered by the major tiltrotator manufacturers, with a selector wheel and a row of buttons underneath for function selection and quick coupler release.
The display would communicate with a custom electronic control box responsible for driving the solenoids and handling all of the control logic.
As part of the project I'll also need to design a simple, clean user interface. At the moment I'm not sure whether the tiltrotator is fitted with rotation and tilt position sensors. If it is, it would be great to integrate those into the display so the operator can see the current tilt and rotation angles.
The first job will be identifying all of the wiring pin-outs and working out the best method of driving the proportional valve coils in a controlled manner.
Any experience, suggestions, would be appreciated. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's modified one of these systems .
Thanks
We've recently acquired an SMP ST6 tiltrotator that currently runs on the SMP/SVAB MAC 12V proportional valve block.
The plan is to fit it to a Kubota U56-5 while retaining the machine's original joysticks and two auxiliary circuits. Rather than buying the SMP/SVAB control box and joysticks, I'd like to develop my own control system so the machine stays as close to standard as possible.
The plan
- Rotation plumbed directly to AUX1, with the machine's proportional roller controlling speed and direction.
- Tilt, gripper and extra function to share AUX2. Rather than using a dedicated proportional controller, I want to use the valve block's proportional valves simply as function selectors. Energising a coil would connect the selected function, while the machine's AUX2 roller would meter the flow and determine the direction. Only one function would be active at any one time.
- Function selection via operating modes. A joystick button would cycle through the available modes:
- Mode 1: Tilt / Gripper
- Mode 2: Tilt / Extra
- Mode 3: All three functions available
- The quick coupler would remain on its own dedicated, safety-interlocked circuit rather than being controlled through the selector.
I'm thinking of designing a compact display for the cab, housed in a machined aluminium enclosure. It would be similar in style to the displays offered by the major tiltrotator manufacturers, with a selector wheel and a row of buttons underneath for function selection and quick coupler release.
The display would communicate with a custom electronic control box responsible for driving the solenoids and handling all of the control logic.
As part of the project I'll also need to design a simple, clean user interface. At the moment I'm not sure whether the tiltrotator is fitted with rotation and tilt position sensors. If it is, it would be great to integrate those into the display so the operator can see the current tilt and rotation angles.
The first job will be identifying all of the wiring pin-outs and working out the best method of driving the proportional valve coils in a controlled manner.
Any experience, suggestions, would be appreciated. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's modified one of these systems .
Thanks