retrofitting proportional hydraulic controls to a agricultural machine

[s410man]

I often see old farm kit like hedge trimmers , straw choppers etc quite cheap simply because they have manual lever controls and everyone wants electric

So

On something like a hedgetrimmer which has 4 controls ie 4 levers in a row

How hard would it be to change them to something like a 2 way joystick with 2 rocker switches on for the other 2 functions??

Any idea where i could get the stuff from??

I'm assuming the plumbing is quite easy as it just needs a power supply and the rest is hydraulic pipes

Anyone got a idea of cost or done anything like this before? ?

Cheers

 

[addjunkie]

Suspect youd need solenoids to control hydraulics, and you need to be sitting down when you get prices for such things

 

[awemawson]

If you replace the spool valves with electrically powered ones then dead easy, but why do it? An expensive exercise that doesn't really give you any more functionality. My Twose hedge trimmer has the hydraulic spools outside the cab, with long extension levers to beside the driver. Why? As it keeps all the fluid outside, so any hose bursts don't drown the poor old operator.

 

[Gareth0123]

The easiest way would be to change the whole valve bank over from a mechanical to electro-proportional. This is a task I have done many times in the dim and distant, but the cost will be prohibitive.

Another option would be to convert over to a mechanical "bowden" cable joystick. Again another task I have undertaken many times. You may have to relocate your valve bank to get a decent run for the cables, and the mechanical joysticks can be an absolute pig to initially adjust up and centralise the joystick, but after that they are pretty well maintenance free.

 

[s410man]

If you replace the spool valves with electrically powered ones then dead easy, but why do it? An expensive exercise that doesn't really give you any more functionality. My Twose hedge trimmer has the hydraulic spools outside the cab, with long extension levers to beside the driver. Why? As it keeps all the fluid outside, so any hose bursts don't drown the poor old operator.

Just easier with electrics and less tiring in a long day

Also i have a straw chopper which requires a permanent feed but adjustable flow and easier to change the flow with a dial than a spanner

 

[s410man]

Electric control machines can be £1000 or more more expensive to buy

 

[Bill Edwards]

If you want 'on/off' controls that's dead simple, replace the manual valves with solenoid operated ones.
If you want to be able to feather them gently then this is harder.

 

[s410man]

On a straw chopper the bed chains are variable speed depending on the type of

The electric control machines have a rotary dial for this??

Any idea on costs/suppliers??

Cheers