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CONTROLS
Valves used to control working cylinders are defined as directional
control valves. Most use a spool contained in a machined casting to
provide the flow paths required for cylinder response. In (Fig. 16) the
flow paths through a simple spool valve are shown when applied to a double
acting cylinder.
Spring loaded centering devices are incorporated to return the spool
to the hold position when control levers are released from the extend or
retract modes.
Some common variations allow
for a ‘float’ position which allows oil to flow freely between the piston
and rod end of the cylinder when the spool is extended and held by a
positioning detent. Valve blocks may have ports positioned so several
valves may be stacked together to provide control for complex requirements
such as back-hoes. The system relief valve may also be positioned after
the control valve in the circuit which will allow flow under pressure to
be routed to other hydraulic devices. Control linkages may be designed to
provide positioning of the piston in the cylinder such as with a three
point hitch on some agricultural type tractors.
OIL SUPPLY AND FILTRATION
An oil supply reservoir must be considered as more than
a storage tank to hold the fluid until demanded by the hydraulic system.
It will dissipate heat from the oil, and settle particle
contamination from the oil. It may be a simple container made specifically
to hold the required volume of oil. More often, space and
application of the oil are shared with other tractor functions, most often
transmission gears. The quantity of oil must be such that when all
cylinders are filled to their capacity, the intake opening remains
submerged sufficiently to prevent air from entering the hydraulic system.
Remember, air is compressable so is detrimental to operation. Positive
displacement pumps also are most efficient when the level of the intake is
as near as possible to the pump inlet. Venting of the reservoir to the
atmosphere is necessary as fluid levels vary in use. If a vacuum is
allowed to form in the tank, the pump may starve for oil, resulting in
loss of lubrication. The ventilating opening should be baffled or filtered
to avoid contaminating the fluid.
The components required for hydrostatic principles to be
applied depend upon close tolerances between parts. Contamination of the
oil by foreign materials or chemicals would cause early damage and
inefficient operation of the hydraulic system. Strainers or filters
incorporated into the circuit between the reservoir and pump intake are
most often utilized. Strainers will remove coarse materials to the size of
its micron rating. (One micron is 39 millionths of an inch.) A strainer
with a 25 micron rating would stop particles .0099” in size. Absorbent
filters utilizing resin impregnated papers have higher micron ratings, and
are capable of absorbing soluble contaminants. Filters or strainers
positioned before the pump must allow free flow of the oil to prevent
starvation.
[Source: Simplicity publication, Hydraulic Systems Training
Information, #840172, Principles and Operation of Tractor Hydraulic Systems]
