Parts for Curtis plow hydraulic lift conversion

ccmdvl1960

Active member
There have been a few photos and brief discussions about converting a Curtis plow for and RTV to hydraulic lift, but I haven't been able to find a [recent] parts list. I want to make this conversion, and don't know much about hydraulics. So, please help me out. Here is a list of what I can think of that I will need. Let me know if the products I am listing are adequate (or if there is a place to get a better product/price)!

Lift cylinder 2X4X1.125 SAE8 - size OK? $59.95
http://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydrau...lic-Cylinders/2X4X1-125-DA-HYD-CYL-9-8399.axd

Electronic selector valve SAE8 $152.95
http://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydrau...BLE-SELECTOR-VALVE-12-VDC-P15544-1-9-5117.axd

How about hoses and connectors? My understanding is that I would connect the two hoses from the rear of the machine (dump) to the selector valve - may need fittings - then, the angle cylinders, two hoses, to electronic selector - may need fittings - and I would need to buy two new hoses (18" OK?) to go from the lift cylinder to the selector? I think this will be the trickiest part.

I have wire and a selection of swtiches to use to operate the selector, so I won't need to get those.
 
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Rogerwh0

Member
I used this ITEM NUMBER: 9-7706-6 from Surplus Center. I works perfect. I have not installed a switch yet I just disconnect the hoses from the quick connect for the bed and swap to the front lines. I have bought a valve but it is still sitting on the to do list.
 

ccmdvl1960

Active member
I used this ITEM NUMBER: 9-7706-6 from Surplus Center. I works perfect. I have not installed a switch yet I just disconnect the hoses from the quick connect for the bed and swap to the front lines. I have bought a valve but it is still sitting on the to do list.

Thanks, I did not know if 6" would be too much. That unit fits without modification? I see this is SAE6.

Also, I am not looking at this time to be able to dump the bed and lift/angle the plow at the same time. I will just disconnect the bed and connect the lines to the front. The selector would be in the front to switch from plow lift to plow angle.
 

Rogerwh0

Member
I will make sure What all I did to make it work. I know I had to drill new top hole and move the chain out a little. It wasn't a big task at all. I remember now about the selector valve. I need to get on that soon.
 

ccmdvl1960

Active member
No progress on the hydraulic conversion, but I thought I would share that I had the skid shoe assembly from the plow on my BX welded to the Curtis plow. I think these will hold up better than the OEM setup. Next job is to install the HD springs on the RTV1140, followed by the used OTC cab that I picked up.
 

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Wild Bill

Member
This has been on my list of things to do for some time but I keep waiting on pulling the trigger. Mostly because I am making things more complex by trying to make the "ultimate" control system.

I'm pretty sure my plans are to route hydraulic juice from the power beyond on the existing bed valve up front. From there I have a 2 spool sub-plate and a couple of solenoid valves to run the plow circuits.

Next I'd fab a new handle for the gear shift that would incorporate a thumb mounted 4-way joystick that would control both left/right and up/down. All valves would remain independent. You'd still have a working dump bed via the standard handle and there would be no pressing a seperate button to switch between left/right and up/down.

This way I would be able to steer, shift gears, and work the plow without needing four arms.

I've got a price tag of around $700 for all the valves, lines, and switches. Just never seems to make it to the top of the priority list since the lift, technically, still works.
 
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ccmdvl1960

Active member
Update, I called Surplus Center and spoke with a tech who was extremely helpful. Probably the most helpful support type call I've ever had. Anyhow, I ordered this selector valve: #9-5117-A http://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydrau...E-SELECTOR-VALVE-12-VDC-P15544-2-9-5117-A.axd and this cylinder: #9-7706-4 http://www.surpluscenter.com/Brands/Surplus-Center/1-5X4X1-DA-HYD-CYL-PINHOLE-9-7706-4.axd.

Once I get those parts and the catalog, I will be able to map out which fittings and hose/hose lengths that I will need. The parts should arrive on or around 10/9/15. I think the only thing that I may have to fabricate (or have fabricated) is a mount for that new selector valve. The best place for it, I am guessing, will be right on top of the existing stock block for the power angle.
 

ccmdvl1960

Active member
Project is now complete.
I used existing parts from the Curtis setup including fittings and couplers from the hydraulic angle kit, the wiring harness and relay from original electric lift.
I ordered the following parts, all from Surplus Center:

QTY ITEM# DESC
(4) 9-6314 1/4" NPT QUICK COUPLER
(1) 916-1430 1/4" X 30" X 1/4 NPTM X 1/4 NPTM 3000 PSI HOSE
(1) 916-1424 1/4" X 24" X 1/4 NPTM X 1/4 NPTM 3000 PSI HOSE
(4) 9-5924 1/4" NPT QUICK COUPLER TIP
(4) 9-6806-8-6 SAE 8M X 3/8" NPTM 90 ELBOW
(2) 9-6805-6-4 SAE 6M X 1/4" NPTF 90 ELBOW
(2) 9-6405-8-4 SAE 8M X 1/4" NPTF ADAPTER
(4) 9-5405-4-6 1/4 NPTM TO 3/8 NPTF ADAPTER
(2) 9-5404-4-4 1/4 NPT HEX NIPPLE
(1) 9-7706-4 1.5X4X1 DA HYD CYL PINHOLE
(1) 9-5117-A SAE 8 6 GPM DOUBLE SELECTOR VALVE 12 VDC P155544-2

I also had three pieces made by a machinist (my generous, helpful neighbor):
1 mount for the hydraulic block, 1 adapter (2 pieces) for the hydraulic cylinder to mount to the plow A-frame, and 1 bushing for the hydraulic cylinder. See .PDF attachments for his drawings of these pieces.

Here is a link to a video of the finished product in action:
https://youtu.be/zMo_ZmdSXKs
 

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ovrszd

Well-known member
Very nice followup!!!!! Especially the list of parts used. Will save someone a lot of time trying to figure all that out!!! Make sure you post some pics when you get it going. Thanks again!!!
 

ovrszd

Well-known member
Awesome video!!!! Great modification!!!!

Thanks again for the parts list, that's very helpful for us inept people!!! :)
 

ovrszd

Well-known member
Very cool, I've got a 1984 3910fwd. Ford tractors have a distinct personality.
 

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Art454

Member
I don't know how much all that cost...I just bought a 2500 to 3000 winch and welded the plate on top of the electric unit. Hand held remote plus hand held. Forgot the price not pricey I no that and it work so much better than that slow electric screw deal Kubota put on it. I had it set up so you could use either incase one stopped working.
 

ccmdvl1960

Active member
I don't know how much all that cost...I just bought a 2500 to 3000 winch and welded the plate on top of the electric unit. Hand held remote plus hand held. Forgot the price not pricey I no that and it work so much better than that slow electric screw deal Kubota put on it. I had it set up so you could use either incase one stopped working.

I had about $1100 total in the plow assembly itself, which I bought used, and the parts listed above.
 

ccmdvl1960

Active member
I thought I'd give a five year update. The RTV now has about 1495 hrs on it. The hydraulic setup as outlined above has worked flawlessly - no changes or repairs needed. The only fixing that has needed to be done is on the plow itself - some welds needed to be redone. Future changes might including altering the plow assembly to allow for higher lift height and moving the switch to change between lift/angle to the dump lever and use a momentary contact switch (button) instead.
 

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