M
Monkeybusiness
Well-known member
I have a PTO wood chipper that is currently set up for hand feeding (so has manually controlled stop bar etc) but is primarily fed by a digger. I want to set it up for exclusive machine feeding, and keep any operatives away from it altogether when it is in use. I subsequently need to set it up for radio-controlled operation (so the functions can be operated from the digger), and would like to throw this out to the collective wisdom on here for advice if possible!
There are essentially 2 separate non-related functions to be controlled.
Firstly, the hydraulic feed rollers. These have 3 positions - stop (ie dump to tank, which is what I want the default to be), feed in, and feed out. Feed in would need to be latched, reverse could be momentary (ie actioned just when commanded, but latching would be preferable). The rollers’ hydraulic feed is also controlled by an existing ‘no stress’ system that dumps oil to tank when the flywheel revs drop below a certain speed - this is fed from a 12v supply from the tractor and is to be retained as-is. The feed roller circuit runs at 2500 psi and approx 80l/min (slightly less flow than that in reality), through 1/2 inch hoses.
The secondary function to be controlled is a top roller lift ram - this also has 3 functions. Default is float, with the ability to either lift or to crush. These are momentary controls only. This circuit is fed from the same pimp as the rollers but runs at 900 psi through a relief valve in the current control spool.
I spoke to Approved Hydraulics and they recommend setting up using the following
4 Button Apollo Radio Remote System with button 1 and 2 latched
Combined with
Single Bank 80L 1/2" Solenoid Valves
£171 Each.
As said, I’d like the hydraulics to default to dump-to-tank when not receiving an instruction from the radio control unit. I’d also like to fit 3x stop switches to the machine to over-ride the RC inputs.
I raised a concern that the latched input would essentially be constantly transmitting in order for the rollers to feed, and have been assured that the transmitter batteries should be good to last for a couple of weeks at a time when operated this way.
Am I under/over thinking this at all - is this a pretty straightforward bit of plumbing or is there anything obvious I’ve not considered/could do more effectively?
Cheers for any thoughts you guys may have!
There are essentially 2 separate non-related functions to be controlled.
Firstly, the hydraulic feed rollers. These have 3 positions - stop (ie dump to tank, which is what I want the default to be), feed in, and feed out. Feed in would need to be latched, reverse could be momentary (ie actioned just when commanded, but latching would be preferable). The rollers’ hydraulic feed is also controlled by an existing ‘no stress’ system that dumps oil to tank when the flywheel revs drop below a certain speed - this is fed from a 12v supply from the tractor and is to be retained as-is. The feed roller circuit runs at 2500 psi and approx 80l/min (slightly less flow than that in reality), through 1/2 inch hoses.
The secondary function to be controlled is a top roller lift ram - this also has 3 functions. Default is float, with the ability to either lift or to crush. These are momentary controls only. This circuit is fed from the same pimp as the rollers but runs at 900 psi through a relief valve in the current control spool.
I spoke to Approved Hydraulics and they recommend setting up using the following
4 Button Apollo Radio Remote System with button 1 and 2 latched
Combined with
Single Bank 80L 1/2" Solenoid Valves
£171 Each.
As said, I’d like the hydraulics to default to dump-to-tank when not receiving an instruction from the radio control unit. I’d also like to fit 3x stop switches to the machine to over-ride the RC inputs.
I raised a concern that the latched input would essentially be constantly transmitting in order for the rollers to feed, and have been assured that the transmitter batteries should be good to last for a couple of weeks at a time when operated this way.
Am I under/over thinking this at all - is this a pretty straightforward bit of plumbing or is there anything obvious I’ve not considered/could do more effectively?
Cheers for any thoughts you guys may have!
