Mini Excavator adding a 3 way Quick Connect Install

In this video, we are preparing the Yanmar mini excavator to be able to receive attachments other than the hydraulic thumb that's pre-installed. We had to go to two of our local parts suppliers to get all of the parts we needed for this to work. We initially put it back together in a way we thought it might work but had to remove a couple pieces and add an elbow to remedy clearance issues. All in all, we are pleased with how it turned out.
***Thanks for watching!***

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to put them below.

[stormcrow]

Great video! I need to do the exact same thing for a forestry head I'm looking to purchase for my Yanmar VIO50. Thank you!

[hunt]

I have looking for this video for like 4 days. Great video! Please rename it to something with "add 3-way to excavator" in the title that would make it way easier to find thanks keep up the good work!!!

[bobvincent]

And the cool thing is that you can take the tilt bucket in the flat and level regular position, then turn the diverter valves to work the thumb, and you can then grab stuff without throwing off the tilt bucket. Cool. Gonna do something similar with my Vio35-6a so i can run a post hole auger.

[phillippowell]

Yep. Im doing this to mine. But I will be taking the stop valve block out.

[Bobsutubes]

Nice job on working out the hydraulics and routing. Very convenient fix. How's the mongo bucket working out for you. I just picked one up earlier this year and very happy with it.

[ZRTerror]

I can probably do this to my Kubota U-25. It has a thumb as well.

[sebastiancortes]

Not to be a smart ass, but there is a much easier way to achieve what you guys the original “block” has a valve, simply add a tee fitting before the block and with a 90 down attach your quick connects.

[arlingtonguy]

I just ordered my Mongo bucket and have to do the same thing. Thanks for posting this. Did you put protective sleeves on the hoses as you mentioned? Would you do anything differently? I don’t have that valve block on my stem like the yanmar.

[bradcoble]

Cool video! Will the hoses need rerouted when you use the thumb again?

[srmcontracting]

Great video, do you know the manufacturer of the 3 way valve? Any issues with it at all?

[bmorri]

Why not use a 3-way hydraulic excavator valve instead of all that clunky mess on the side of the stick? Not to mention the more adapters and connections the more possibilities for a leak.

[bradleyciampanella]

What brand tilt bucket did you purchase and do you like the buckets performance after use?