Is this block sold complete now with all valves? I have an international 966 open center will this block shut off autosteer when I turn the wheel?
This last design we have the blocks on order. I am getting pricing on all the solenoids from Hydraforce distributors.
This valve will turn off the autosteer when you turn the wheel yes. Place a sensor or switch in either of the ports labeled PSSTEER on the block. Your steering hoses from your wheel orbital will connect to the LTIN and RTIN ports. Then the steering cylinder connects to the STLT and STRT ports. This block design incorporates everything needed except hoses that need to be made up depending on where you mount the valve.
The first hydraforce distributor said a lead time of 9weeks for the solenoids. I am waiting to see what others say.
Whatâs the situation with road safety with these valves, or any valves for that matter, do they need to meet a spec for insurance etc? Something my dad thought of while we were talking tonight
There are 2 3/2 lock valves on barakis and hydac valve. Theres multiple schematics in this thread for this very valve with one 4/2 and 2 4/2 valves which are enabling valves for block. They deceide if you are steering or autosteer. For autosteer to enable these valves:
- it ofc has to be wiried to unlock pin from pcb
- AgOpenGPS app must be open and running on a tablet
- There has to be AB Lines created and enabled(field open)
- Theres also max speed setting when driving faster it cant be enabled
- Pressure sensor disables autosteer when you move the steering wheel
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On the valve design we drew up the Enable1 valve blocks any possible flow in or out of the pwm autosteering valve spool. While the Enable 2 allows steering wheel control. Both spring load to those positions when no power is applied. Electric being applied is depending on the autosteer controller itself.
Every autosteer system has their own requirements to allow electric activation. The most basic being the main display must have a guidance line in an active field/job/task. Then some have speed limits of the machine and some also include a manually flipped switch in the tractor cab.
For the valve itself, having enable/blocker spools is the common way. As stated the Hydac valves also show similar blocking spools.
This is good to see someone in the states with a valve design. Iâm in the market for one for another install this winter. Let me know when theyâre available⌠even just the blocks.
Trying to understand how this valve works. I have an open center orbital; tractor specs state orbital draws 9 gpm @ 1550 psi. How does EC10-42 valve work using the 80 psi? Is the valve flowing through port 4 until the pressure is 80 psi higher than 1550 then diverts to port 2? Would this put undue pressure on the pump? Also, the specs of that valve using 80psi only has a flow rate of 8 gpm and tractor is expecting 9 gpm will this affect manual steering? I am no expert on hydraulics just trying to get a better understanding.
The EC10-42 valve works like a load sensing priority valve. The 80 psi rating is the pressure that it keeps in the passage from port 4 to the PWM valve inlet. When nothing is happening electrically, the EC10-42 only lets enough oil into port 4 to keep 80psi pressure there. Once that is met all remaining oil flows out port 2 to the PB (power beyond) port of the block.
When the PWM begins to be activated, (the SP10-58C) some of the supply oil is sent through the load sense port 5. This then acts on the spool inside the EC10-42 valve and shifts more supply to the PWM cart. Oil supply to the PWM is controlled by the demand for oil that the PWM valve itself sends as a load sense signal. Any oil after the pressure signal required still flows out the PB port of the block to the steering orbital.
The EC10-42 can be thought of as both a load sense activated priority flow divider and also as a load sense activated unload valve.This is why it works on open center tractor systems but can also be used on closed center systems. Though a bypass plug could be installed there on closed center systems but the cost of the 4 port size plug with bypass from port 3 to 4 is about the same as the price of the EC10-42 cartridge itself.
Thank you for the explanation very helpful. You would have no concerns with the flow rate (8gpm for valve, tractor spec 9 gpm)? How is the progress going for the manufacturer of block and what do you think the chances are to get before planting season. Not wanting to sound pushy.
On a 966 tractor the 9 gpm pump supplies a priority valve in the MCV which prioritizes 3 gpm for steering the rest is for regulated pressure to TA , brakes, lubrication and cooling.
Yes we should see the blocks in 2 to 3 weeks from now.
Still looking into providing the valve cart also.
I canât speak for any other suppliers, but my design was made in conjunction with a Hydraforce specialist/dealer (in fact, the chap I worked with was originally a design engineer at Hydraforce UK), and is manufactured under ISO9001. During the design process they were under no illusion as to the intended application, so everything was done to an appropriate spec.
I see it as no different to any other commercial autosteer valve, and as such should be equally insurable. UK law also specifies that any modification requires insurer approval - autosteer, CB radio, Grassmen sticker.
Do people notify their insurer when an aftermarket Trimble kit is installed? They are also marked for strictly off-road use.
My view is just make sure there is no way the lock valve can receive power on the road, and you can sleep peacefully at night. I would be prepared to stand up in court and argue this point if an insurer tried to implicate my valve, where it was clearly not the cause of an incident.
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Not trying to take away from your efforts at all.
This idea started as a project wanting to add autosteer to our family farm machines without spending $4500 for an AgLeader or Raven valve. The first ones we had made were from this. We demoed a hydraulic design software doing that one. With the suggestions of making one valve able to be used on any machine we went forward and purchased the software under our family business name. The valve blocks and such will be sold through our corporation. We have been manufacturing electronics for over a decade and we were an local AgLeader dealer for several years. Because of this we have a good deal of AgLeader system components left over from then.
The valve was designed using software that kept minimum clearances between ports and passages based on 6061T6 aluminum block material. The software itself also produced the step file with all needed CMC steps for production. We have a large hydraulic machine company making these right now. This batch will be machined outside the USA because the pricing for machining inside the US requires a greater quantity to keep the price even close.
This if fully assembled will definitely be more than your product as it has many more valve components. It was simply a project intended to be usable on any machine and be fully self contained.
We will sell them under our family corporate business. www.back40precision.com
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Not at all 
There is space for several different designs, capabilities and price points in this market.
My effort has been relentlessly reducing complexity and therefore cost, because 80% of applications donât need all the bells and whistles.
This way most people get a cheaper, more straightforward product, but my block has clear limitations such as not working directly with reactive orbitals and no pressure sensor. My thought is If you need those functions, just add them as a separate component. If you donât, youâve saved cost.
You have included everything you could possibly want in a valve, which is great! Like you say it will work everywhere straight out of the box, which I canât say about my design.
In AOG any pressure sensor, steering encoder relies on it being turned on in the AOG settings, which by default itâs not, so any such sensor cannot be relied on.
Isolating power to the lock valve is the only way to make safe. Switch must be off at all times.
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Exactly, I donât think there an OEM autosteer on the planet who accept liability for using their systems outside a controlled field environment with all responsibility passed to the operator.
In the UK we have many setups like this:
How they are seemed safe for road transport Iâm not sure and I donât think any would tell their insurer there putting a big metal box that will protrude 3m in front of the OEM designed front weight block at every road junction and impair the drivers visibility at all timesâŚ
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Itâs good to see a USA option for valves, cannot believe someone hasnât stepped up sooner.
Look forward to seeing some videos of them in action in the field.
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What do you mean when you say it wonât work with a reactive orbital?
It will work with reactive orbitals but requires an additional counter balance valve. Without this the steering wheel is constantly turning during autosteer
Not the end of the world then, just like having the motor turn the wheel..?