Accumulator mods

Farmhand accumulator modifications.

[@noahpedersen5714]

Would you be able to make a video of how you built the tailgate and how everything works on it? Thanks

[@ArticIce56]

If I make a video it might be a while I've been pretty busy lately. Always busy this time of year trying to get things done before winter. But I can give a description...I tried to kind of copy from pictures of the original tailgate. I noticed it appeared to use a torsion spring to make the tailgate spring back up after the bales are past it. So I did use a torsion spring but it didn't work out, wasn't the right kind or strong enough etc.it's still there but it doesn't do much. I ended up using an extension spring (actually 2 together to make one long spring) hooked on the top of the tailgate on one end then the other end attached to a turnbuckle for adjustment with the other end of the turnbuckle hooked on the top of the right side hold down bracket. The actual tailgate I used a 3/16 x 3 inch wide flat steel with an 1 1/2 inch angle welded on top for reinforcement. A short flat bar on each end welded to the long flat bar and with a 3/8 inch short pipe welded to the short bar to act as hinges and to add height to the tailgate. 3/8 inch bolts as hinge pins. I think the bolt holes were already there in the accumulator not 100 % sure about that. Actually I think I cut threaded rods to make the bolts so I could bolt them tight to the accumulator with two nuts one on the inside one on the outside.

[@ArticIce56]

I snapped a couple pictures of the tailgate right side I would just make the left side the same now if I had to do it over again as the torsion spring I put on the left side isn't really doing much not worth the trouble I think. Turns out I did use a long bolt not a threaded rod.Hope these links to the pics will work,
may need to copy and paste them into a browser.
i.imgur.com/ZuZXjoq.jpg
i.imgur.com/lcVD5tf.jpg

[@curtdealge6546]

Thank you for sharing. I'm about to start an F-100D restoration. Are you using the OEM hydraulic pump or have you converted to run off of a tractor remote?

[@ArticIce56]

Mine didn't have any hydraulic pump when I bought it I think the previous owner ran it off the tractor hydraulics. I bought it from a dealer though. I got a pump from surplus center and a tank from northern and rigged it up to run off the baler flywheel. They originally came with either a baler flywheel pump with the pump inside the hydraulic tank or with a tractor pto pump. But I guess you can run it off the tractor remote but I have no experience with that.

[@curtdealge6546]

I have the OEM Baler flywheel pump but I'm wanting to use the tractor's remote. How did you go about sizing the pump you used? I don't know much about hydraulics. I'm concerned about under or oversizing the supply to the apron chain motor.

[@ArticIce56]

@@curtdealge6546 I don't know much about hydraulics either. I think I found online what size the original pump was, 13 gpm at 1500 psi I think. So I got one that was rated at 14.6 gpm at 1800 psi. The accumulator has a relief valve on the valve that is not adjustable which I think is set at 1500 psi. I really don't know how to figure out what is needed with a tractor remote. One of the reasons I guess I didn't try that. I was using a JD 3010 as a baler tractor at the time I got the accumulator. It has one set of remotes and is closed center hydraulic system so I have no idea if it would have ran the accumulator or not. Probably would have, would need to tie open the valve I assume.

[@ArticIce56]

@@curtdealge6546 Speaking of that hydraulic motor though that's the one problem I still have. I can't slow it down where it needs to be if I have to go slow baling because of big windrows. Therefore the bales bunch up when being deposited on the ground. I think either the speed control or the motor must be worn somehow where I can't slow it down enough. If I try to slow it down too much it will stop working completely. The only way is if I go faster which I do when possible and I have resorted to speeding up temporarily when I see it's getting ready to dump a bunch.

[@curtdealge6546]

Thanks again for your input into this. After haying is done this year I'm going to take my accumulator and pump to a hydraulic shop to get it looked over. I need to get a proper hydraulic motor (for the apron chain) as mine is cracked. So I'll get everything looked over and hopefully I'll get the correct sized motor. If I knew how I'd reach out to you directly. Would be great to chat with you. I'll keep you posted and share my info. Thanks again.