alpine44
Member
- 397
- 17
- 18
- Location
- Asheville, NC - Elkton, MD
While I get my FLU419 running, it is time to think about attachments that would turn the FLU419 into a tractor substitute. I am not trying to beat a real farm tractor costing an order of magnitude more than a surplus FLU but there is enough evidence (especially on the other side of the pond) that a Unimog can be very useful on a small farm.
In order to use standard farm implements, I plan to fabricate a 3-point hitch that attaches in lieu of the backhoe. Something similar to the Case MB4/94 hitch shown here. Most farmers in the mountains of Western North Carolina are using Cat 1 implements, so this thing does not need to be as beefy as shown.
I expect the soft springs of the FLU419 to create some issues when plowing with a frame-mounted hitch. As a remedy, I would like to replace the shocks with hydraulic cylinders and plumbing that replicates the damping action of traditional shock and also allows to rigidly lock the suspension. In the "street" mode, the fluid would go straight into the reservoir on compression of the cylinder and during extension of the cylinder trough an adjustable restriction. That's essentially how a shock absorber works. Shutting both ports of the cylinders would turn them into rigid bars connecting axle and frame.
Any implements that need PTO input will be powered by a hydraulic PTO motor driven by the FLU rear hydraulics. Going from mechanical PTO to hydraulics and back to mechanical is wasteful but it also offers quick control and reversal without needing a second clutch or a reversing PTO box.
Looking forward to your comments, opinions, and ideas.
In order to use standard farm implements, I plan to fabricate a 3-point hitch that attaches in lieu of the backhoe. Something similar to the Case MB4/94 hitch shown here. Most farmers in the mountains of Western North Carolina are using Cat 1 implements, so this thing does not need to be as beefy as shown.
I expect the soft springs of the FLU419 to create some issues when plowing with a frame-mounted hitch. As a remedy, I would like to replace the shocks with hydraulic cylinders and plumbing that replicates the damping action of traditional shock and also allows to rigidly lock the suspension. In the "street" mode, the fluid would go straight into the reservoir on compression of the cylinder and during extension of the cylinder trough an adjustable restriction. That's essentially how a shock absorber works. Shutting both ports of the cylinders would turn them into rigid bars connecting axle and frame.
Any implements that need PTO input will be powered by a hydraulic PTO motor driven by the FLU rear hydraulics. Going from mechanical PTO to hydraulics and back to mechanical is wasteful but it also offers quick control and reversal without needing a second clutch or a reversing PTO box.
Looking forward to your comments, opinions, and ideas.
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