Inexpensive Third Function Alternative For Your Tractor/Loader!! 

Excellent idea. Also noticed the wire loom to protect ziptied areas. You're a genius sir :) They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I'm going to do this cause it's smart as heck.

Great video, I did almost the exact same thing to use a hydraulic front skid plate post hole digger. The hoses were much cheaper than adding a third function, which is what the dealer was trying to sell me. Using the rear connectors on my tractor I had to install a control valve so I could control the forward and reverse function of the post hole digger. Have a nice day.

I really like that idea, really adds a bunch of options for a guy on a budget.

Nicely done, Chris. Saves a lot of cash & time. Fine choice years ago by deciding to go the route you did. Your method, you were able to disconnect hoses from your tractor on 3 separate occasions to use on your 4 tractors. Nice saving$ Your method also speaks volumes to new tractor owners that it's not a bad idea to get/have rear remotes (for simplicity).

It's a great alternative. I did get the factory 3rd function on the front of my Kubota. I just haven't spent the money for a grapple bucket yet. The grapple I want is expensive, but none of them are cheap.

I like that 3rd function idea. The fact that you've been able to reuse it on multiple tractors that you've had makes it even better. Best part, it's simple & easy to do. Stay safe.

Good video, those 3rd function kits are quite expensive! Man, I can just smell the new tractor smell from here! Beautiful tractor!

Many many times we setup our old IH tractors with at least 3 remotes on the rear that way for the loader we had one to tie into for 3rd on loader and still had 2 to use on most farm implements. Up until about 15 years ago we got by that way lol but these new implements seem to have more hydraulic needs up to 5 and 6 on our rear iso outlets

Thanks for the great advice on this topic. Third function is close to two thousand dollars at dealership plus installation.

This is fantastic. I was thinking this as I was pricing 3D function valves for my M8540. And I’m in the “I’ll use it rarely” group too. Gonna find these parts online and give it a go. Thanks!!!!

Check out Outback Wrap. Good hose protection.

Nice job thanks for sharing

Lot of great info for people to help people save money !

What buttons are you using to open and close the grapple?

Nice, very neat looking work you did!

Nice money saving idea! I have received the parts for the same setup from Hydraulics Direct.I like the break ,if needed, to remove the loader. Summit Hydraulics has economical 3RD function solutions. I received the hydraulic diverter valve kit with the trigger joystick handle to actuate the diverter valve when needed. I haven't had time to install it yet, but the parts look high quality. It should cost about 1/3 of the aftermarket kit JD recommended.

That's a good idea beats paying for a 3rd kit. on something using occasionally. Take care Chris

Man I’m gonna pull a Kapper. Put that thing to work already!! You can’t just keep dangling my dream tractor in front of me and not let me see it work Good cheap alternative for front end my friend

Good video Chris.. those fancy swivel fittings.. sometimes are more problem than they're worth. But sometimes you need them.

Great option Chris I need to buy another tractor. Thanks man. Take care.

Looks good. Nice and met. Have a good one

THANK YOU,VERY VERY GOOD VIDEO-😀🚜 AAA+++

Thank you for this video. I plan on doing this to my M 9540 and this is a great economic way to do it. I. Hoping it works for a round bale hugger.

I know this is long after you created the video, but I am new to this and wondering if you could list what parts to buy to make this work. ie; what hoses including connector types, where to get that bracket for the loader cross arm, and what quick connects to buy, and where. also, we didn't get to see you use the third remote function in the video. does it act differently than a standard third action? I was under the impression that the levers in the cab that run the rear remotes are kind of on/off. Do they allow you to slowly close the grapple? Can you feeather or adjust how much you close a grapple or how quickly? Thanks for the super helpful video!

Did you make that coupler bracket or did you find that online . Thanks

wow thats a good looking tractor !

Pricing out a BX now, I am considering this option as its half price for the dual remotes on the rear than the third function. After running old tractors, I am used to multiple levers to run the loader.

Thats some good saving. Thanks for this. U did great sir. I am your new friend

Nice set up..Chris..

I have an la525 and was thinking about just using a log splitter diverter and getting the hoses made at a local shop here. Wouldn't be using it often that why I was thinking that. 200$ compared to a 1200$ kit

hi there. great video. thanks for putting this together. i have a few questions for ya. i just bought my first tractor today. i got a 2019 mx5200. i was looking a a john deere 5 series new and the dealer told me that to get hydraulic power to the front of the loader, so that i could control a snow plow angle was well over 5000$$$! i have lots of experience with snow cats, skid steers, and a few other machines but I'm quite new to the modern tractor. my new rig will be used for snow removal, dirt loader work, and a front grappler for clearing forest for my house im building on my land here in colorado. i can't think of a time i will ever use the rear remotes. i know that you mentioned if you use your front third function a lot, this may not be ideal. is this still true if im not really ever using an implement in the rear? this seems so simple and easy to me. i can't see why john deere told me i needed another pump and many other parts just to turn a plow blade left and right. again im new to the tractor world, maybe im missing something here. im extremely mechanically inclined and you set up is the obvious choice. any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

It works and you have a 3rd function something I would do

On my old loader, id just set the bucket at a height I wanted it at and pull the connectors out of the remote.

Great idea, I’m looking into a Grapler for my L4060. I’m now going to look into hoses from the rear ops. Do you have measurements of hoses ?

Quick and easy. I added the factory third function on my tractor.. not so quick or easy.

Hey Josh do they make a kit for the 5140 kubota? And where do you buy 1

Good video Chris, my tractor is set up that exact same way, itd be nice to have the button on the joy stick but hey its functional, I have yet to need both remotes at the same time, and I feel like if both are needed then the 3rd function probably isn't going to be used anyway. Good work!

Thank you very much nice beutiful

Dhaven family farm. Thank you for your video. It gas given me hope (hopefully) about running a hydraulic top link off my front third function i had installed for my new grapple. So my question is do you think i can run a hydraulic top link off of my third function valve for my grapple? I would be using the switch mounted on the loader joystick i guess to control the top link. I really do not want to spend the additional $1500 to get my dealer to install rear remotes. I will probably never need to run the top link at the same time as my grapple third function so I am thinking i can just switch between the two depending on what I am doing. I am assuming i can just unhook the lines going to the front hydraulics and hook hoses that will be run to the hydraulic top link in back. It may not be as easy as that but with my novice\ technical thinking it seems like it would work You thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated. God bless. Jim

Great stuff as always

Good idea that young man!

Great video Chris!

Is there a kit that I can get for my tractor?

Good video Chris

Looks like a good option for something you only use occasionally. Do you plan on running with the loader on all the time or part of the time?

I thought you could just add longer hoses from the SCV to the grapple (realizing you lose curl-dump)? I imagine adding a Power Beyond kit wouldn't be inexpensive.

I'm on my 3td tractor doing this same process. I had a new holland with an actual 3rd function, switch failed. Never again.

What’s the overall length of that hose assembly from the front to the back ?

I have an l3901. Are there options on that machine?

Maybe I'm missing something? I have one set of remotes at the rear but they are for the back hoe and are always flowing in one direction.

That is a good option for people with extra remotes in the rear. Some of us don't have them, so I ordered a separate valve assembly with a single joy stick for $125. Mount it on the right fender near the loader joy stick. Remove the factory hose from the power beyond port on the loader joystick (it is the one that goes to the controls for the rear remotes), install short hose from power beyond of the OEM valve to the IN on the new valve. Move the original power beyond hose from the OEM valve to the PB port (OUT) on the new valve. That leaves 2 ports on the valve for the hoses (6 to 8 feet long) to the front of the loader where you install the quick connects. It is very simple and can be moved to a new tractor later if need be. I'm not a fan of the electronic toggle button switches the 3rd F kits use; switches don't weather well. A mechanical valve will last a lifetime.

great tip, you need to put that tractor to work, it's to clean

Does it have power (pressure) both ways, to open and close a grapple?

I've been running my grapple this way for 7yrs now, cost me $200

Is there somewhere that fabricates the mounting bracket?

What runs it inside the cab?

I don't get something wrlong 3rd function kit is like 800 bucks

Show the inside and levers you use to work it

Hello buddy

Excellent video. I was contemplating doing the same thing to my kubota. I'm going to pm you on messenger or Instagram. I have a couple questions.

Kubota only charged 700 extra to add 3rd function from factory

more detail re hook-up would be nice. Thanks anyway.

OMG! Was looking for help/advice re subject Instead I got the most boring/uninformative advice going .. :-( ??

There is nothing saved here. If anyone had a 3rd function installed on a tractor you would get it back when you sell it. Not all tractors even have those extra valves in the rear. In fact if you put your own 3rd function on you could take it off and use it on the next tractor as well. All of these cheap alternatives are not good ideas. You don't save anything considering their function is less than desirable when it comes time to use your equipment.