Do I need to take the tractor to a workshop to install the lift retrofit kit?
It is not compulsory. Installing the LFT20 and LFT54 does not enter the hydraulic circuit; only the outer end of the cable is connected to the kit and two supply wires plus one switch wire are run. It can be done with basic hand tools, a fuse, cable lugs and a multimeter. Even so, if you have doubts about the battery, the chassis connection or the cable mechanism, or if you are fitting a linear-motor set such as the ELF-812, get help from a competent person.
If you are doing it yourself, the minimum equipment needed is: a spanner set, cable lugs and pliers, a fuse holder, clamps and a multimeter. Without a multimeter you cannot diagnose chassis and supply problems.
Prefer workshop support in the following situations:
- If holes have to be drilled or welding done on the chassis to fix the enclosure. Before welding it is essential to disconnect the electronic units and the battery.
- If the cable mechanism runs stiff; mechanical servicing is needed first.
- On an ELF-812 installation the linear motor must be fixed onto the hydraulic lever with the correct geometry; a faulty connection limits the lever's movement.
On the LFT20 a bench test before installation is mandatory and you can carry out that test yourself: the red wire is touched to the battery positive and the black wire to the negative, and the motor's forward and backward movement is observed. Since the LFT20 is sold outside warranty coverage, do not skip this step.
Full topic: Converting a tractor hydraulic lever to electronic control