Chinese Mini Skid Steer Spool Valve Fix / Joystick Upgrade (CRT-23)

My brand new mini skid came with defective spool valves! I decided to replace them with joystick valves, which has the double-benefit of making the controls more intuitive. In this video, I'm showing how to do the swap: figuring out the parts you need, and demonstrating the process of doing it.

Hope this helps anyone considering this mod. Here’s the full list of parts I used in my build:

Vevor - $120

- 2x 11gpm OC joystick spool valves https://www.vevor.com/hydraulic-control-valve-c_10083/2-spool-11-gpm-hydraulic-directional-control-valve-tractor-loader-w-joystick-p_010416714851

OneHydraulics - $105

- 12x 1/2” BSPP to L12 DIN adapters - https://www.onehydraulics.com/products/5002l-12-08

- 1x 1/2” BSPP to L15 DIN adapter - https://www.onehydraulics.com/products/5002l-15-08

- 1x L12 DIN female-to-male 90° joint (for the left return line to tank that moved) - https://www.onehydraulics.com/products/5360l-12

- 1x L15 DIN female-to-male 90° joint (for the right side line to the hydraulic cooler that moved) - https://www.onehydraulics.com/products/5360l-15?variant=31405596344374

AliExpress - $35

- 2x 1-button excavator “pilot” joysticks - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807219830961.html

Total build cost: $260 plus scrap metal and consumables, ~$275

Contents:

0:00 Intro
1:59 Adapters Overview
3:05 Hydraulics Diagram
3:43 Installing Adapters
5:25 Installing Right Joystick
8:52 Removing Left 2-spool
10:30 Installing Left Joystick
12:58 Fabricating Brackets
17:11 Elbow Fittings for Hoses
20:06 Installing Brackets
22:30 Demo and Outro

Music:
"Overdrive" by Matrika - https://musicvine.com/track/matrika/overdrive (Uppbeat)
"Extreme" by Oakvale of Albion - https://uppbeat.io/t/oakvale-of-albion/extreme (Uppbeat)
"Prowl" by Qube - https://uppbeat.io/t/qube/prowl (Uppbeat)
"Gotta Leave" by Clarx & Shiah Maisel - http://ncs.lnk.to/GottaLeaveAT/youtube (NCS Release, Music from NoCopyrightSounds)