Remotes for Grapple Use

[Lunk]

My tractor is having a pair of rear remotes installed. I intend to use them to power the 60" LD Grapple Rake I just ordered from Markham.

Some members refer to using a single rear remote to plumb the hydraulics, while others make it sound as if you need two - One to extend, and one to retract the ram.

Can someone tell me in plain english (I'm not a hydraulic engineer, after all), how the rear remotes are utilized for grapple service? I'm aware that I'll need to run a pair of hoses to the front of the tractor via the loader arms, but not much else.

Thanks,

Lunk

 

[kennyd]

One "pair" or "set" of remotes has to couplers, and requires two hose to operate the DA (double acting) cylinder on your grapple. There will be one handle to control one set of remotes. The handle will be spring centered-so you push the handle one way to open, and the other way to close. Don't like the way it operates? Then just flip the hoses and the functions will be reversed.

Clear as mud?

 

[Eagleview]

Spend the extra money and get a joystick mounted up front . I cannot think of anything more awkward and possibly dangerous than trying to work the grapple from beside the seat .

 

[kennyd]

Spend the extra money and get a joystick mounted up front . I cannot think of anything more awkward and possibly dangerous than trying to work the grapple from beside the seat .

That statement is sure going to ruffle some feathers There sure are a LOT of guy's here using the rear remote to control grapples and 4n1's-not sure why you think it's "dangerous"? I way agree with awkward...but "dangerous"?

 

[Eagleview]

Having your hand down beside you when trying to manipulate an item or push into a heap , intead of being a foot away from the steering wheel and gearstick would be dangerous in my book . Just as a matter of bodily balance if for no other reason . There is enough to do now with only two hands when pushing , lifting , grabbing and steering etc. simutaniously without taking one hand completely away from the control consul . And i can only imagine what would happen if you hit a stump while your right hand was beside the seat and your other hand was on a freewheeling steering wheel , you'd be spat straight out the right side of the tractor and onto the ground . It's only my opinion and i don't expect a flame war over it .

 

[dirtworksequip]

Wow!!! I didn't realize I could get ejected from the cab by using the the rear 3rd valve to run my 4 in 1 bucket. I better rethink this.................never mind ,I always wear a seatbelt.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[justcountry]

I def. think it is akward, My neighbor has a remote operated grapple on his Mahindra and Ive only used it a few times. However I definately prefer my solenoid operated 3rd function on the joystick. That way your hand never leaves the loader control or the steering wheel. I feel it's much more efficient for me.

 

[jinman]

It's only my opinion and i don't expect a flame war over it .

No flame from me, but I think you are thinking of a different arrangement than the one I have on my New Holland. The picture shows my joystick and two levers. The closest lever is the 3PH and the other one is my remote I use for my grapple. I can hold my joystick between my thumb anf forefinger while still reaching my remote to close the grapple. Honestly, I just normally move my hand to the remote lever because 90% of the time there is no need to be operating the loader in lift or curl while simultaneously operating the grapple.

All that said, if my joystick was mounted on the loader post or up beside the steering wheel, my remote setup would be a lot more inconvenient. It just depends on the tractor and setup.

 

[IslandTractor]

Having your hand down beside you when trying to manipulate an item or push into a heap , intead of being a foot away from the steering wheel and gearstick would be dangerous in my book . Just as a matter of bodily balance if for no other reason . There is enough to do now with only two hands when pushing , lifting , grabbing and steering etc. simutaniously without taking one hand completely away from the control consul . And i can only imagine what would happen if you hit a stump while your right hand was beside the seat and your other hand was on a freewheeling steering wheel , you'd be spat straight out the right side of the tractor and onto the ground . It's only my opinion and i don't expect a flame war over it .

Do you also oppose having manual tranmissions that require the operator to remove their hand from the steering wheel?

Controlling a grapple with a remote lever is virtually identical to the task of shifting gears with "4 on the floor". There is no significant risk involved once the muscle memory is established though it does take some practice in the beginning to do it without looking.

Using a button on the joystick is no less distracting and can induce other types of error. I've used both and actually prefer the separate remote lever for operating a grapple.

PS, this is not a flame. You did however state your case pretty strongly so those of us who disagree can hardly be expected not to reply in kind.

 

[forester2]

Interesting discussion and has me thinking. I want to add 2 more rear remotes for a TNT setup on my Ford 2120 (have one already) and seems that I could either add a second joystick w/PBeyond or solenoid selector valve using existing loader joystick w/ switchs. My gut tells me hydraulics is going to be less maint. than adding electric but I don't know. Opinions?

 

[IslandTractor]

Interesting discussion and has me thinking. I want to add 2 more rear remotes for a TNT setup on my Ford 2120 (have one already) and seems that I could either add a second joystick w/PBeyond or solenoid selector valve using existing loader joystick w/ switchs. My gut tells me hydraulics is going to be less maint. that adding electric but I don't know. Opinions?

Setting up a set of rear remotes is I believe different than tapping into power beyond but in either case there is no electrical connection or valve to worry about. That said, I haven't heard many complaints about malfunctioning diverter valves or electric over hydraulic set ups either.

 

[forester2]

Maybe I mispoke: the Power Beyond would be on a second joystick going then to the existing remote. The diverter would be on existing out put from loader joystick to loader.

 

[Lunk]

Thanks for the input guys!

I think I'll take my chances using the rear-remotes, and long hoses. Hopefully I won't end up as a footnote in the Safety forum.

Lunk

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks for the input guys!

I think I'll take my chances using the rear-remotes, and long hoses. Hopefully I won't end up as a footnote in the Safety forum.

Lunk

Just don't wrap the long hoses around your neck and I think you'll do just fine.

You have probably already thought it through but you do need to be careful routing the hoses from the rear remote up to the grapple. I suppose there are alternatives but this is what I did: from rear remote down and over the left rear axle, under the operator station (lots of zipties to keep the hose tight against the bottom so they don't snag anything), then up the left FEL post and forward along the left loader arm to the torque tube. If you are neat you will weld a mount for the hose/fitting on the torque tube. If you are a slob like me you will use zipties to hold the hose to the torque tube.

I used a lawn hose to do a dry run to make sure I left enough for gentle bends without having too much extra hose. Once you have that measurement you just need the fittings and couplers and you're RTR.

 

[Eagleview]

No flame from me, but I think you are thinking of a different arrangement than the one I have on my New Holland.

Thank you for explaining the way it is setup , and also for not making smart remarks like some can't resist . I thought it was similar to my TL100A with the remote levers on the floor beside the seat . Which leaves your right hand a long way away from the controls and gearstick which would be a poor mans alternative to a joystick .

The picture shows the position of the remote levers on all new T series New Hollands (green and red levers beside seat cushion) . This is how i thought they all were .

 

[kennyd]

I thought it was similar to my TL100A with the remote levers on the floor beside the seat . Which leaves your right hand a long way away from the controls and gearstick which would be a poor mans alternative to a joystick .

Most, if not all modern tractors available here in the USA put the remote lever on the fender alongside of the 3PH lever.

 

[Mike058]

A learning experience for everybody, I'd say. Iron Horses' point about keeping one's mind on what one's doing and hands on the wheel as you push into a pile of brush that could be hiding a stump or rock is well made. Something for us newbs to keep in mind.

 

[IslandTractor]

The picture shows the position of the remote levers on all new T series New Hollands (green and red levers beside seat cushion) . This is how i thought they all were .

Are you saying that it would be dangerous to reach for the green and red levers while moving? I still don't see the issue. If you have one hand on the FEL joystick or one hand on the red/green levers doesn't seem to me to make much difference. In either case you have only one hand on the wheel.

 

[bbowman]

Are you saying that it would be dangerous to reach for the green and red levers while moving? I still don't see the issue. If you have one hand on the FEL joystick or one hand on the red/green levers doesn't seem to me to make much difference. In either case you have only one hand on the wheel.

I guess I'm not seeing the issue either. I have much less experience than everyone else here, so I usually close the grapple while sitting still. However, I have only one hand on the wheel while operating the FEL joystick while moving, so...

Good points above about keeping your mind on what you're doing.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Lovely heated discussion here....

Sounds like perhaps my tractor is now too dangerous to operate, even more so with a road soda in my hand...

perhaps I'll leave it in the garage.....what were we discussing now?

All in good fun guys...Safe fun too!