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Adding hydraulic winch to a Komatsu D20S Track Loader

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Danish_Homesteader

New Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2024
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4
Location
Vendsyssel, Denmark
Hi!

I have purchased a hydraulic winch to mount on my Komatsu D20S track loader.

I am well used to maintaining tractors and heavy equipment, but hydraulics have always been a weak point in my knowledge.

Can I just plumb in a new hydraulic valve (to control the winch) to the high pressure line coming to the loader control hydraulic valve, or are there some advanced levels of witchcraft required to make it work?

Thanks in advance!
 
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epirbalex

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2017
Messages
561
Location
Akitio
Occupation
peasant
One of my neighbors has a hydraulic winch on a D21 dozer . Its hooked up via a diverter valve , only problem is he has to dismount the dozer to change the diverter valve over as its under one of the side panel covers . I'm sure it could have a remote cable to fix the dismounting problem . I'm not sure about your main hydraulic valve but for some another slice can be purchased and added for extra equipment . Neighbor can't operate his blade when the winch is working as both winch and blade use the same lever. I've seen a set of rippers set up with a non Komatsu diverter valve to operate a set of rippers on a D50 . That was done with a cable operated valve . Trick is to keep it cheap by staying away from Komatsu parts .
 
D

Danish_Homesteader

New Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2024
Messages
4
Location
Vendsyssel, Denmark
epirbalex said:
One of my neighbors has a hydraulic winch on a D21 dozer . Its hooked up via a diverter valve , only problem is he has to dismount the dozer to change the diverter valve over as its under one of the side panel covers . I'm sure it could have a remote cable to fix the dismounting problem . I'm not sure about your main hydraulic valve but for some another slice can be purchased and added for extra equipment . Neighbor can't operate his blade when the winch is working as both winch and blade use the same lever. I've seen a set of rippers set up with a non Komatsu diverter valve to operate a set of rippers on a D50 . That was done with a cable operated valve . Trick is to keep it cheap by staying away from Komatsu parts .
Click to expand...
Thanks for the idea!

If possible I would like to be able to operate the loader and the winch simultaneous.

Would it help if I post a photo of the hydraulic valve for the loader?
 
willie59

willie59

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A D20 isn't a very big/heavy dozer, it would be easier mounting a good size DC motor winch, simply operate the push button station in the cab.
 
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epirbalex

Senior Member
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Location
Akitio
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peasant
Won't help me but other members may want a look . There will be issues matching flow and pressure for the winch that can be managed by a relief valve . Operating both simultaneous could well affect performance of both . What you are going to do has been done and it works well . Fella next door could not see his winch re-spooling which I thought could be got over by putting a heavy 4 x 4 fairlead on it . I thought it was an ideal dozer for firewood with the 12 mm or a bit smaller cable .
 
D

Danish_Homesteader

New Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2024
Messages
4
Location
Vendsyssel, Denmark
willie59 said:
A D20 isn't a very big/heavy dozer, it would be easier mounting a good size DC motor winch, simply operate the push button station in the cab.
Click to expand...
Thanks, but I have already bought the hydraulic winch.
And: I may not know very much about hydraulics. but I know electronics very well.
Using an electric winch for prolonged periods winching big timber is simply not feasible with a stock battery/alternator. With suitable modifications it might be possible, but that is not relevant for me.
 
D

Danish_Homesteader

New Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2024
Messages
4
Location
Vendsyssel, Denmark
epirbalex said:
Won't help me but other members may want a look . There will be issues matching flow and pressure for the winch that can be managed by a relief valve . Operating both simultaneous could well affect performance of both . What you are going to do has been done and it works well . Fella next door could not see his winch re-spooling which I thought could be got over by putting a heavy 4 x 4 fairlead on it . I thought it was an ideal dozer for firewood with the 12 mm or a bit smaller cable .
Click to expand...

Thanks for your heads-up!
The hydraulic pressure of the dozer is very well matched to the winch.
Pulling power is determined by pressure.
Speed is determined by flow.
Operating loader and winch together will reduce winch speed, which is acceptable.
 
W

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,691
Location
Canada
You may need a power beyond valve. It's also possible your machine might have an extra valve for a ripper you might be able to use. It depends on how the winch operates on what type of valve you need.
 
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