HOW TO Set Auxiliary Flow Controls on Kubota Mini Excavators

This is a 2015 Kubota KX040-4 with dual auxiliary hydraulics. I go through the process to set up multiple auxiliary attachment settings. This process should be similar for all Kubota Excavators that have this same control screen. Note, that some machines may only have 1 auxiliary line which is controlled by the right joystick.

[@astrotimber8925]

Super! Much easier than reading the instructions.

[@NealORussa]

@@astrotimber8925 glad it helps!

[@duanemorrison6173]

You're the man!!!!! I've tried to mess with my settings on my 2019 KX 033-4 and had little success. I can now slow down the speed on my tilt bucket. Thanks so much Neal.

[@NealORussa]

Glad to help!

[@michaelmactavish4445]

kubotas makes all there products so much nicer and so easy to operate and set up what ya need wich kubotas are smart

[@richcain64]

Very good, much better than trying to figure out what the manual try’s to present

[@Bobsutubes]

That was a great explanation. Picking up a tilt bucket in the next several weeks and this will be perfect for helping get it adjusted without needing to by any orfice plates, etc. Thanks.

[@NealORussa]

Definitely! I had my tilt bucket on a kx161 and I had to put orfice reducers in after the quick couplers and while it worked it was too slow. Setting it right with this machine is a piece of cake and the orfice reducers are gone!

[@OtterCreekFarm]

Super helpful, thank you.

[@williamwatson9702]

Well done. Look forward to your future -5 series video.

[@NealORussa]

Thanks for the comment!

[@mark_Hershey]

Did you get a -5? I got a u48 and couldn’t figure out how to turn on the second set of hydraulic lines. Got into set up settings and stuff messed up. Think I got it figured out.

[@Cummins-zl6cf]

Great video! I just got my masticator head a couple days ago, I’m able to get it powered up but I cannot figure out how to put in constant flow so I’m not having to hold the left toggle over the whole time , could you maybe shed some light on that for me please

[@NealORussa]

For constant flow you press the trigger button on the back side of the joystick. There's also a valve you can turn so the return flow goes straight to the tank. Here's the link showing that valve. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJWWaWWoi9iDo9U

[@thegoldensteed]

Thanks! That's very helpful!

[@NealORussa]

Thanks for the comment Kent! Kind of confusing the first couple times but now I can adjust the flow rates pretty easily.

[@forceon959]

I have a kx040, great vid. Do you know what the actual flow rates are on the settings? I guess full is 17 gpm? I have a hydro hammer coming in. That needs no more than 7 gpm. I would guess half way point is 8.5. What would one click down be from half? Whish they had numbers and not just a bar

[@NealORussa]

Unfortunately I don't know that. It may be in the manual but I doubt it. I think you're on the right track. I'd start low and then bump it up until the hammer is working like you want it to. If you want to be 100% sure a hydraulic shop can put a flow meter on the aux fittings to check flow and pressure.

[@stephenheaton8889]

Do you have to hold the rocker on left stick to keep cutter spinning?

[@NealORussa]

There are two ways to run the cutter. One is to hold the rocker switch over. The second is to press the trigger button with your pointer finger one time and that will keep it on continuously. When it's going continuous you can press trigger again to stop it or move the rocker in either direction to stop it.

[@m2autoworks]

Thank you!

[@NealORussa]

You are welcome! It definitely makes a big difference slowing down a tilt bucket for fine control

[@cvmikeray2]

On the rotary cutter (#3) would you not set the flow so that it will only spin the head in one direction? So L1 flow would be max and L2 would be none?

[@NealORussa]

Yes that's correct. I think that's how I set the rotary cutter. But if not it doesn't really matter cause I also turn the one way valve under the hood so if you press L2 it just goes straight to the tank and won't send to coupler. I have another video on that valve you should check out

[@cvmikeray2]

@NealORussa I saw it. I have a 40 with the Brush Master 42. Specs say it's bidirectional but I am concerned about the free wheeling of the blades forcing hydro back through the valve body if I don't turn the valve under the cover.

[@NealORussa]

@@cvmikeray2 gotcha. I wouldn't see the need for bi directional use except for blade life. I would run it one way with the valve switched one way like I show until blades get dull. Then swap the hoses on the attachment so it spins the other way and uses other side of blades. Then once both sides are worn down take them off and sharpen and repeat.

[@mikelanglais7493]

Thanks, what is the button for on the front side of the right hand control. 2018 u35-4 ? Opposite or the rocker and horn switch

[@NealORussa]

I've never used the trigger button on the right side. But on my machine with the dual aux hydraulics I use the trigger to run my brush cutter on aux 2 (left joystick). You press the trigger button and it sends fluid continuously until you press it again or toggle the thumb switch. That way you don't have to hold the thumb toggle over the whole time you're brush cutting. Maybe the right trigger does the same thing for aux 1.

[@dougspencer4485]

@@NealORussa I have an Eterra Flail cutter on my Kubota KX040 and have to use the left hand thumb rocker switch to operate it. The button on the left joystick doesn’t make it run continuously much to my frustration. Also, the valve selector in the engine compartment has to be in the vertical position for it to operate. Any suggestions on how to get that left button to work to allow continuous flow so I don’t have to wear out my thumb? Would switching the lines on the cutter fix this? Any help you can give would be appreciated.

[@NealORussa]

@@dougspencer4485 you should have a trigger button on the joystick you use with your pointer finger when you have a grip on the joystick. If it doesn't make your attachment spin the proper direction you have to swap couplers on your hoses.

[@NealORussa]

@@dougspencer4485 i just read your other comment and it sounds like your couplers on your cutter line hoses need to be swapped. Then you can use the one way flow valve to return fluid directly to the tank. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJWWaWWoi9iDo9U

[@davepattersonea1284]

Neal, when I use the left button for the brush cutter I have to hold it down to keep blades turning. Is there a set up I missed to get the cutter to remain on? Flow seems okay, but the left thumb control should not have to be held down? Seems once the quick disconnect are connect the left thumb button should be an off / on?

[@NealORussa]

Hey Dave, my left joystick has a trigger button you press with your pointer finger. That is the off on switch for continuous flow.

[@davedawgs]

@@NealORussa thanks so much. I am having to hold down to run. Release & and shuts down. Got to a set up program set wrong? 🤦‍♂️

[@NealORussa]

@@davedawgs no there's nothing in the programming of the computer screen for that. It's only flow rate. That's odd though your trigger isn't on/off

[@davedawgs]

@@NealORussa switched hoses and it worked!

[@jefersonalexlopezrojas6762]

Oil reset hours?? Some help or how does it work?

[@NealORussa]

Hey, I don't have a video on maintenance resets, but I could probably do one. I know there is a maintenance screen in the computer there somewhere.

[@thebotalife]

Great info

[@NealORussa]

Thanks for the comment! Appreciate it!

[@mkmcdngh16]

Thumb on single flow or dual flow ?

[@NealORussa]

Thumb needs dual flow to open and close. Things that only need single flow are brush cutters that only spin one way, or a hydraulic breaker hammer, etc.

[@robbobcat7286]

wonder if i could do this on my kx 121-3 ss its a 2003 diffrent screen

[@NealORussa]

Unfortunately I don't believe so. I had a kx71-3 and a kx161-3ss. Neither of those screens has this capability to adjust flow rates.

[@robbobcat7286]

@@NealORussa Thanks for the reply

[@lesmcgann]

What would I set my hydraulics for a hammer?

[@NealORussa]

I'd go full bore and then also change the one way valve to drain the return straight to the tank. I have a video on that too.

[@NealORussa]

Here is the valve video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJWWaWWoi9iDo9U

[@lesmcgann]

Thanks.

[@rngn2010]

you want to sell the other one yet?

[@NealORussa]

Not sure where you're located, but check out the Facebook group, "Kawasaki jetmate enthusiasts" there are usually a few for sale in there. Otherwise I might be interested in letting one of mine go. Need garage space.

[@rngn2010]

@@NealORussa southern Illinois

[@thebotalife]

And you’re not doing anything special about running the tilt and thumb without having to switch flow from one port to the other.

[@NealORussa]

There isn't a way to switch the flow from one port to the other. You have to change the couplers on the attachment to get the switch to work the way you want it. For instance my tilt bucket when I bought it was backwards. I pushed the rocker to the left and it tilted right. I swapped the male and femal couplers.