Topic: selectable ram assist steering.

[Willy Mammoth]

Just like the title says. I am looking into getting a valve set up to shut down the assist for highway driving and back on for trail use. Does anybody know what type of valve I should use. Best I can figure is a dual selector valve or a dual spool valve with an open center.  I kinda would like an electric valve, but manual will always work.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2005081918430578&item=9-4128&catname=hydraulic

[freds40]

Why do you want to kill it on the freeway? I ran mine for a few months as my daily with the assist and never had a problem. Just curious.

[WHITE_TRASH]

As long as your not running a monster ram, tiny hydro lines or a pump from a fish tank on your assist setup it'll be seamless and reliable. 

[Willy Mammoth [OP]]

Not a problem except it acts like an old ford, you have to pay attention to what you are doing or it will wander off the road. it is a little tedious trying to keep it straight. If you can turn it off it would be much more fun to drive.

[freds40]

Is it sluggish or is the box itself a little loose? With my Toy box and my Toy pump modded, it was super responsive but it was also extremely stable. My thought with a shutoff valve is you "might" get an air bubble in the system, not positive though.

[Willy Mammoth [OP]]

Not sluggish at all, but very sensitive to inputs at speed. I don't need extra power on this with the Scout box and GM pump. There is already plenty of power for highway use. I only wanted the extra power so if and when I get bogged down I can still steer. I could leave it off till I relay need it. Kinda like having air lockers for your steering. 

[FIREBALL]

Good idea.
The valve would have to shut off the pressure, and also loop the ram to itself so it could still move back and forth.

[Willy Mammoth [OP]]

Good idea.
The valve would have to shut off the pressure, and also loop the ram to itself so it could still move back and forth.

I think this valve would work.

or three of these.

[pickeledpigsfeet]

steering effort would be high due the ram still being connected to the tierod but not assisting. the ram will still be full of fluid and every time you turn you will compress or pull the fluid that is in the system. Have you tried to disconnect if from the lines and try to turn the wheel? The only way you could do it and not run into problems would be to physically disconnect one end of the ram, and then you wouldnt need a cut off valve anyways.

[Willy Mammoth [OP]]

It may act as a dampner, but if done right it shouldn't be noticable. You would have the ports on the ram looped through the valve and blocking the flow of fluid pressure from the box.

[79coyotefrg]

yea it would have to be able to loop on both ends, i think,   loop at the ram so it would act as a damper, maybe some 1/4 inch line then the valve you showed on top for the cutoff of the pump

[79coyotefrg]

oh oh scrath that,  a control valve like used on roadgraders or loaders,  one with a in/out and float mode,   thats the critter you need right there

[Willy Mammoth [OP]]

Somthing like this.

[FIREBALL]

Ya, I don't think you'll have a problem with the ram looped. Like you said, if anything it would be like a steering stabilizer. In fact it would probably have less effect than a steering stabilizer, because the ports are larger diameter than the valves in the stabilizer would be. You would just be circulating the fluid from one side of the ram to the other through the hoses.

[79coyotefrg]

well like on a road grader,  lift control,  you pull the lever back to pick it up,  you push forward to go down or dig in or even raise the machine or shove the lever all the way forward to the "float" position and the hydraulic arms float over whatever terrain hits the blade