WJB,
Regarding the heavy duty SS adapter for your loader, you might want to try to get in touch with Eddiewalker. He went through essentially the same thing you are trying to do, and might have some helpful tips/insight. You can read his thread on adding a grapple to his Ford/NH 555E here:
Grapple for 555E There are some good pics in that thread as well..
Regarding the hydraulics required to operate the thumb, it really shouldn't be too difficult to do, with a little patience. There are three ways to do this, but the general consensus on here, is that 2 of the 3 ways really are "best".
Note: Skip over the next 3 paragraphs to avoid falling asleep...
1. 3rd function electric over hydraulic valve-This will be an additional valve (not to be confused with valve "handle") in your FEL system, operated by a 3 position rocker switch mounted on your FEL joystick, that will allow you to raise/lower the loader, curl/dump the bucket, and open/close the grapple all at the same time. The 3 positions of the rocker switch are either open grapple, close grapple, or no action. You would press and hold the rocker switch to open or close the grapple, then when you release, it springs back to neutral position.
The WR Long 3rd function valve is what I have, and am very happy with it. It was extremely simple to install (even with no prior hydraulic experience) and Nelson Long is a member on here, and very, very helpful. He spent a lot of time on the phone with me explaining how the valve works, and answered my very basic questions.
2. Selector vavle (aka diverter valve)- This is a valve (again, not operated by a "handle") you install on your tractor FEL system, that is operated by a push button on your FEL joystick handle. It ties in to either your up/down circuit, or your curl circuit (I believe you can choose whichever you prefer). With this valve, you can NOT operate all 3 functions at once, which may or may not matter to you.
Let's say you tie it into your curl circuit.....Normal operation would be to dump your bucket when you push your joystick to the right, however, if you wanted to close your grapple, you would push the button on your FEL joystick (which would then "divert" the flow of hydraulic fluid to your grapple cylinder) and then push your joystick to the right, so instead of dumping your bucket, you would be closing your grapple. You would not be able to curl/dump your bucket, at the same time you open/close your grapple, but you could still raise/lower your loader arms while simultaneously opening/closing the grapple. You can only use 2 functions at one time, not 3 like the other kit.
Generally, the electric over hydraulic 3rd function valve is considered "better" than the selector valve. However, it's not necessarily "better" in every way. One advantage of the selector valve, is that when you divert the flow to the grapple cylinder, you can then operate your FEL joystick with a feathering motion, so you can either close your grapple very slowly and controlled, or you can close it as fast as your system would allow, with fully open on your joystick valve. This could be handy in some situations. I've never felt the "need" for it, but I can see where it would be nice, and I may even use this type on the next tractor I buy. The 3rd function valve is one speed, and can only be adjusted with a flow restrictor (permanently).
As an added bonus, it is slightly cheaper than option 1, and may even be easier to install??? It's really personal preference. :thumbsup:
I purchased a WR Long kit, which came with everything I needed, including directions, and mounts specific to my tractor model. I recommend WR Long if you want to do it the "easiest" way. You can purchase parts separately and make up your own brackets and mounts for cheaper, but not as simple.
Valve Kits I'm sure there are many others but this is the only "kit" I have experience with.
Do you have a manual for your tractor? From what I found, it was made between 1984-1987, and is an open center hydraulic system like most of ours, so adding the hydraulics would be pretty straight forward and not too expensive (I think my kit cost right around $700 give or take 50) (relative to a closed center system, although I don't have a good grasp on closed center systems).
It appears your loader has a 2,800lb lift capacity, and a WHOPPING 21.5gpm hydraulic flow???
If I'm reading that correctly, that is a LOT compared to almost all our tractors on here! You could probably even run low flow skidsteer implements off your FEL! Most of ours are somewhere between 8-12 with the utility tractors closer to 14-16gpm. I don't know if the 3rd function valve that I linked to, can accommodate that much flow? I seem to remember it being somewhere near 10gpm max. I imagine in this case you would certainly want a selector valve, as full flow to the grapple cylinder would slam it shut before you could even let off the button! :laughing:
With 2,800lb lift capacity (if you have the loader referenced in the below sales brochure) you shouldn't have a problem with bending/breaking a standard grapple. I wouldn't go with a light duty one like I have, but you don't need a monster that would take the abuse of 5k lb+ lift capacity either (or the associated cost to go along with it).
This may be a little too much information and make for a boring post to read, but I think a lot of people can benefit from the "basics" sometimes. I apologize if you already know all this info and had to read through my nonsense without learning anything you didn't already know.
Is this the tractor you have in the pics below? (I hope so, or forget everything I just said:laughing
