Excatech.

“Fix it once avoid hit and miss techniques”

Hydraulic excavator technical support formally .com Buffy

Subject:-How 2 change the control pattern.

How to change the control pattern from standard operation to North American variations.
Safety First Work only from a safe platform, wear suitable protection.
Be sure residual hydraulic pressure has been released and the machine is parked in a suitable clean area
to complete the work.
Clean around the area in the cabin and be sure to have
fluid absorbent material at hand.
A number of plugs and caps will be required suited to
DANGER the hydraulic connectors of the host machine in ques-
tion if fluid spillage is to be avoided.
A method of marking the hose connections is to be

SAFETY FIRST recommended avoiding mistakes later.

First study your present configuration and decide what
you need to change.

In this example the

conventional European
pattern is illustrated

Arm pod

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“Fix it once avoid hit and miss techniques”

Hydraulic excavator technical support formally .com Buffy

Subject:- How 2 change the control pattern.

A common requisite of excavator operators in the North of America is that the raising and lowering of the
boom (Hoist) should be controlled by the left control lever, whilst the arm (Stick) in and out should be
controlled by the right side lever.
For the purpose of this document the focus will be to make the change in this example, however the priciple
method may apply to other patterns of operation.

(Left and right as seen from the operator’s station)

Buffy

Arm pod

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 Excatech.
“Fix it once avoid hit and miss techniques”

Hydraulic excavator technical support formally .com Buffy

Subject:-How 2 change the cotrol pattern.

Having established what needs to be changed there are a number of options to consider:-
Option1/ The excavator in question will be operated only by personnel who prefer the adapted
pattern.In such a case consider making a permanent change, this option requires that the machine has its
hoses reconnected to the adapted choice. It may be necessary to join and lengthen some hose’s so be
prepared. Pressure rating is rarely more than 600 p.s.i. (40 bars).
Option 2/ Changing is necessary however there may be a requirement for the conventional European
pattern on occasions. If this is the choice a manual pattern change valve may be worthy of consideration.
(This will require less down time to change the pattern)
Option 3/ The excavator is most probably going to be operated by both European and North American
adapted methods, in which case we would recommend a electrically operated changing system requiring
solenoid valves.

Circuit diagram

Remote control valves.

(Joy sticks)
Dr Dr
P P

Port configuration Port configuration

1

2 T 2 T
3 1 3

P P 4
4

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 Excatech.
“Fix it once avoid hit and miss techniques”

Hydraulic excavator technical support formally .com Buffy

Subject:How to change the operating pattern

Option 1 Remove the arm pod covers so that you may access the remote control valve fixings.
Tip if the pod forms part of the adjustable seat, slide the seat backwards this will normally allow more
hose flexibility.
Mark the hoses to be removed to avoid mistake, note manufacturers often mark the ports in some way.
Most if not all valves will have six hose connections, four of which are service ports and the remaining
two are pressure (feed “P”) and tank (or drain “T”).
Note changing the connections at the remote control valve avoids valve issues downstream.
Remove the hose’s and arrange the relevant run to both left and right remote control valve.
It may be necessary to cut plastic tie raps these will require replacement is chaffing is to be avoided.
Ports 1-2-3-4 are regulated secondary pressure (0> <
pilot pressure) these will connect to each end of the
main valve operating spool.
The pressure varies from zero to full pilot pressure in
ports 1 to 4.
Port “P” is that which has a fixed pilot or servo pressure
whilst the machine is running (Input).
The “T” or drain ports connect to the tank please be
aware that fluid will continually run from open lines and
T ports so be prepared and have those caps and plugs
ready.
P

R.C.V (Joystick) or Remote control

valve left side.
In the illustration we have identi-fied
port 2 with a yellow tie rap around
2 T the hose.
This port in the European pattern
3 1 represents arm or stick out. Using a
blue tie rap we have identified port 4
which operates arm or stick in both
relative to the left side R.C.V or
P 4
Joystick.To the right side R.C.V. or
joystick identify port 2 with a red tie
rap and that of port 4 with a black tie
rap.
Enlarged view of the valve underside. Note the Ports 1< >4 relate to the
plunger directly above the outlet
port.

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 Excatech.
“Fix it once avoid hit and miss techniques”

Hydraulic excavator technical support formally .com Buffy

Subject:-How 2 change the control pattern.

Suggested Method
We know the colour code we can use to reconfigure the pattern. Remove and plug the hose marked
yellow Port 2 L.H.S. Re route this hose to port 2 of the R.H.S. after removing and plugging the hose
marked with the red tie rap.
This hose in turn is then re-routed to the left R.C.V. or Joystick port 2.
To complete the task make the switch between the blue of the left with the black of the right side R.C.V
or Joystick.

L.H S European R.H.S L.H.S North American R.H.S

Port 2 Port 2

Port 4 Port 4

Buffy

Arm pod Arm pod

Typical hose routing

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Subject:-How 2 change the control pattern.

Option 2 This choice requires a little more planning as safety is of the utmost importance. ExcaTech
recommends a visual warning device in addition to a standard safety notice issued to machine operators.
(Warning notice should be provided with each change to control patterns).
Pattern change valve’s can be sourced from a number of suppliers; the valve can take various forms from
single twist control to that of a dual solenoid. (To cover all options exceeds the scope of this document).
A simple warning device can be arranged using close proximity switches connected to warning diodes in
the cabin.

Option 3 The following information illustrates that of a solenoid valve installation however the principle
and method remains the same whichever component is chosen for the machine.
Hoses and connectors will be required during installation and the provision should be planned prior to
execution of the actual task.

Pattern changing solenoid valve

To main valve boom lower

Input R.C.V. side

To main valve arm out

Left lever arm out

To main valve boom raise

Right lever boom down
Left lever arm in.

To main valve arm in

Right lever boom raise.

This option requires electrical connection to activate the pattern change; an important point to be taken
into account is that in the event of an electrical failure the valve will adopt the default position marked
with blue highlight.
Tip connecting the valve power feed via the cabin lock out circuit will prevent unpredictable operation in
the event of power failure.
Note that excavators of today rely on electrical processor units; these devices are vulnerable to voltage
spikes.
Solenoids when deactivated can generate such spikes, to prevent damage the coil should have either a
quench diode or resistor installed, your supplier should be able to make this provision at the point of order.

Page 6
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