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JD Pilot Control solenoids

Knivens894

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2014
Messages
115
Location
Black Creek, GA
I have replaced the pilot regulating valve and the pilot control control valve in my JD490E. Both are set to repair manual specifications with respect to pressures. All of the circuit solenoids have been resealed with sleeves oriented to the discharge ports upon re-installation. When I attempted to set the pilot pressure on the swing circuit, the solenoid valve will not reduce the pressure to within specification. It begins leaking around the adjustment screw while the pressure is still 60 PSI above the specified pressure for the circuit. All solenoids are in specification electrically at 24.5 ohms, but for the swing brake solenoid which is at 64 ohms (in specification). What would be the reason why the solenoid will not adjust the pressure into specifications? Can it be repaired? If so how?

JD wants $679 for a single replacement solenoid. The aftermarket units do not show the sleeve or valve internals, but JD does. Any and all advice will be appreciated.
 

Knivens894

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2014
Messages
115
Location
Black Creek, GA
After watching many videos on solenoid hydraulic control valves today, I have concluded there is no way to set the solenoid valve circuit pressure with the controls static as others have said is normal. Each circuit has differing flow demands, so to get the pressure correct, it must be set with the circuit active. Tomorrow I will try the active method and report upon findings.
 

Knivens894

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2014
Messages
115
Location
Black Creek, GA
Today I found that the set screws on the pilot control solenoids are for balancing the circuit flows and not for setting the system pressures. For example the bucket curl in was slow, but the bucket out was fast due to the setting on the pilot solenoid. Trying to adjust pressure, the valve was screwed in, like it was a pressure control valve, with the result being 100 PSI on the bucket pilot circuit during active control of the bucket curl in, but near 700 on the out curl. Once the solenoid was adjusted to balance properly, the balance between curl in and out were the same and to specifications. I had been told these pilot control valves are intended to be set in the static control position, which is false. The manual give no clue on this issue. The controls must be active so the pressures can be balanced. These single spool solenoids are for flow balancing and not pressure adjustment. Had I known this before, it would have saved me a lot of work.
 
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