Auxiliary Hydraulics selector: open or closed center?

FarmerBlair · Sep 25, 2021

Hi, my 1968 Ford 4000 has auxiliary hydraulic but can only actuate a single double-acting cylinder. I need to actuate two separate hydraulic systems (i.e. two cylinders) independently. So I was looking at 6-port selector valves that would enable splitting the hydraulics.
But the ones I looked at are described as "open cross-over center" with continuous fluid flow. Should I be looking for a closed center type of selector instead? When I switch from powering the 1st cylinder to the 2nd cylinder, I want the 1st cylinder to stay locked in position under pressure. It sounds like an open crossover would relieve pressure on the 1st cylinder when switching the selector to the 2nd cylinder. Or is a "diverter" something I should be looking for instead (maybe its the same thing, not sure).
Or does it matter since I will be using the hydraulic control lever on the tractor to actuate, and not a separate control valve?

Thanks!

SVcummins · Sep 25, 2021

You want open center

Brendon-KS · Sep 25, 2021

It sounds like you just need a standard double selector valve that takes the two hoses (1 set of remotes) you have today and splits them into four (2 sets). Being that these selector
valves are installed downstream of your tractor's control valve there isn't a difference between open- and closed-center - that difference has already been taken care of in the tractor
valve. They are available in either lever or electric solenoid control version. The open crossover description refers to the fact that the transition from one circuit to the other
isn't black and white - there's some gray in the middle when the two circuits are both partially connected to the system and to each other.

Being that these selectors are spool valves with inherent leakage I don't believe you could expect the unused cylinder to remain locked in position under pressure for an extended period
of time unless it is equipped with pilot-operated check valves on both sides.

caterpillar guy · Sep 25, 2021

Open center for the valve style though you are a bit confusing on the cylinders. If you are going to use 2 cylinders like on a loader frame for lifting it. You just need a Tee in the line for both lift and lower. If you are wanting to lift and then tilt the bucket so to speak then you need a double valve to run each individually. This woud go for any other thig you want 2 cylinders to work. Like folding an implement and raising it.

dcarp · Sep 25, 2021

Sounds like your tractor has the quick drop remote on it now. I think this is what you might need if my guess is correct. This system will operate 2 hydraulic cylinders independently. This picture is from the parts side of this forum.

Auxiliary Hydraulics selector: open or closed center?

FarmerBlair

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SVcummins

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Brendon-KS

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caterpillar guy

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dcarp

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