FEL Function Question

Oregon Tractor Jack · Jun 23, 2022

My brother in-law has a Ford 1700 with a Ford 770 loader on it. He recently replaced the spool valve assembly. Now the loader will not go down when the tractor is not running. All the FEL that I have dealt with would allow you to lower the bucket when the tractor was turned off. Is this normal or is there something wrong or different with this spool valve assembly?

OTJ

Turkeyfoot · Jun 23, 2022

Interesting question. That is also my experience, that FEL will lower with engine off. But I always thought it was dangerous because if someone lowered the bucket onto another person or someone's leg or some such then without the key they wouldn't be able to lift the bucket off the victim very quickly. In fact I once squished a chicken when I parked my tractor and then lowered the bucket after turning the engine off. That was stupid on my part but if the engine has been running the chicken probably wouldn't have been under the bucket. Also, interestingly, the bucket totally flatten the chicken and as it did an egg shot out of the chicken and clanded unbroken in front of the FEL. That poor hen's final contribution to this mortal world as I didn't eat the bird.

But now I am careful not to leave buckets raised with tractor turned off for fear a kid could show up and cause an accident.

Ken Macfarlane · Jun 23, 2022

Likely has load checks in it so it doesnt creep.

RedMF40 · Jun 23, 2022

My tractor has the same loader on it. I recently experienced problems with loader function slowing considerably and it would not lower with the engine turned off. I had some advice on here to look at possibly a diverter valve problem, which is what it turned out to be. The lever was slightly engaged, not allowing for proper loader function. That's one possibility, but if the loader is functioning normally otherwise, there may be something else at play. Gerrit

sotxbill · Jun 23, 2022

Interesting observation. I prefer to leave the loader with ALL of the cyl retracted fully... This protects them from rusting over a 20 to 30 year period... SO.. leave the loader down... and the bucket curled up.... And the cyl rods are nice and clean, not full of nicks and rust.

However on my disc cutter, this is not possible to disconnect the disc cutter and leave the left cyl retracted.. as it will not sit safely. And if you have grandkids running around.... Especially around stacked roundbales... I keep the haybarn latched up high and do not let them play there.

moresmoke · Jun 23, 2022

Correct, the OP stated that the spool valve was replaced. New spool valve has load checks in it so there will be no movement if not powered.

paul · Jun 23, 2022

I suspect that is a new safety feature of the new cross reference valve setup?

Paul

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 23, 2022

Would you find out what brand and model of valve was installed for us?

I have not heard of a loader valve with pilot check valves like that.

Not sure how a closed center valve would operate on an open center system.

Jim.ME · Jun 23, 2022

I agree with BarnyardEngineering, we need the info identifying the valve, before going further on figuring out if there is a problem or if it is the type of valve installed. Without that we do not know what he got for a spool valve, as there are many different types of spool valves.

Oregon Tractor Jack · Jun 23, 2022

I couldn't find a brand on the spool valve only a part number: ZT-L20-OT/2. I spoke with my brother in-law briefly about it and apparently the old valve worked the same way, it would not lower the loader when the tractor was not running. I just was curious about the difference in the function on his tractor verses mine. My tractor is a newer Farmall 40 with a joy stick loader controller. I always lower the loader, shut off the tractor and release the pressure on the lift and tilt cylinders. It has always seemed best to park the tractor with no pressure on any of the cylinders. Yes, there are safety considerations with a loader like I have, but like anything the operator is the key to safe operation.

Thanks for the replies.

OTJ

Jim.ME · Jun 24, 2022

(quoted from post at 21:45:44 06/23/22) I couldn't find a brand on the spool valve only a part number: ZT-L20-OT/2. I spoke with my brother in-law briefly about it and apparently the old valve worked the same way, it would not lower the loader when the tractor was not running. I just was curious about the difference in the function on his tractor verses mine. My tractor is a newer Farmall 40 with a joy stick loader controller. I always lower the loader, shut off the tractor and release the pressure on the lift and tilt cylinders. It has always seemed best to park the tractor with no pressure on any of the cylinders. Yes, there are safety considerations with a loader like I have, but like anything the operator is the key to safe operation.

Thanks for the replies.

OTJ

A web search for that number does find a hydraulic valve. It turns up on Amazon and some other places with the advertisements saying it is a loader valve among other uses. Here is a link to one site, does it look like this one? http://www.dratek.co.id/products/zt-l20-series/393

The description of it is not great in my opinion and the Installation manual one place shows as a download, doesn't download. In some ads they say "The check valve inside the valve body is to insure the hydraulic oil not to be returned." That could be the reason it won't lower by gravity. Another mentions hydraulic blocking is available. Also I don't see any mention of a float position for the boom, which I feel a loader valve should have. Basically it appears to be a cheap Chinese hydraulic direction control valve, not one I would install on a loader.

FEL Function Question

Oregon Tractor Jack

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Turkeyfoot

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Ken Macfarlane

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RedMF40

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sotxbill

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moresmoke

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paul

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BarnyardEngineering

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Jim.ME

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Oregon Tractor Jack

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Jim.ME

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