Useful attachments adapted to PT ?

[2manyrocks]

I have welders and a plasma cutter. The PT utility grapple for the 1445 is $3,300 plus shipping. Already own a MTL grapple that is $1,129 including delivery that suits me fine.

So you see why I'm asking what attachments others have adapted.

 

[2manyrocks]

I have a 2" receiver welded to a quick attach plate.
I put a ring hitch in that and hang the chain with the tongs on that. It's easy to adjust the length of chain...

Short for just dropping the tongs onto a log from the seat, or I can feed it out to grab logs I can't get the machine close enough to.

I have an angle iron welded vertically to the QA plate that I can wrap the excess chain around and hang the hooks on.

View attachment 856263

I ordered the ring hitch. Would you suggest tongs that have two tongs or the ones that have four tongs? Swivel or no swivel if I am using a chain like you are using?

 

[MossRoad]

Mine just have the two. To be honest, I have no experience other than with these. They don't swivel. Hasn't been a problem. Just hanging from the chain.

Excuse the sloppy operation, as I was recording with one hand and driving and operating the PT425 with the other...

 

[2manyrocks]

Thanks. Something else that would be handy would be if I could incorporate something to push the logs into final position after dragging them with the tongs.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks. Something else that would be handy would be if I could incorporate something to push the logs into final position after dragging them with the tongs.

After I get a few to the landing, I drop the QA plate with the 2" receiver, chain and tongs, pick up my forks, and use those to pile the logs.

Honest. It takes less than 15 seconds to change the implement.

I can't stress that enough. 15 seconds.

That's drop the current attachment, back away, drive up to the next attachment, lift and lock and off you go. You never leave the seat for unpowered attachments.

15 seconds. Done.

Some folks don't believe that.... PT owners/operators know it to be fact.

I have an old video on my website that shows it. It's in WMV format, so if you have a PC it's easy to watch. On a MAC, you'll need some sort of video player that displays WMV.

http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425_15S01.WMV

 

[2manyrocks]

I see that the Branch Manager Grapple has serrated tines on their attachment to help hold logs in line when you pick them up with their grapple. And a rope ballard for arborist rope work plus it is designed to push stems. 56" T1001 BMG Original Mini Skid Steer Log Grapple | Branch Manager

 

[scotts562]

I prefer more than 2 tines on a log grapple. Smaller stuff tends to twist more in the 2 tine grapples and slips out. I added a tine to mine to make it a 3 tine. With a mechanical grapple I often grabbed around the log instead of trying to dig the points into the log. The extra tines give a few more places to grip and bind up the log into the jaws.

I used to use a grapple set up very similar to MossRoad's. I did not have a swivel on mine. The chain gave me the flex needed to snake thru the woods. The extra swivel action can make it a bit tougher to grab a log without leaving the machine. I have since upgraded to a shop built hydraulic grapple and use it as much in a fixed position as a swivel position.

If you can get the grapple high enough, you can hook the butt end of the log under the QA plate and get a similar effect of serrated tine portion of the branch manager grapple you linked to. It doesn't grip as well because it is smooth and you have to be careful of the hoses, but it does work.

Somewhere to wrap extra chain as suggested above is a good idea.

 

[2manyrocks]

How do you actuate the cylinder on the grapple? I'm not seeing a third function on the PT 1445? Is there some way to add a third function?

 

[ponytug]

How do you actuate the cylinder on the grapple? I'm not seeing a third function on the PT 1445? Is there some way to add a third function?

You can either move the Q/A connections to the third function, or you can add a diverter valve as many folks have done.

All the best,

Peter

 

[2manyrocks]

You can either move the Q/A connections to the third function, or you can add a diverter valve as many folks have done.

All the best,

Peter

So how do you lock the Q/A plate in place if you move the Q/A connections to the third function?

Where would I add a third function and where is it plumbed in if I go that route?

 

[ponytug]

Try searching the PT thread for modifications on the diverter valve, but you can start here;

Quick attach and grapple select option

This post is intended to help power trac owners add a select function to choose when your knee knocking lever tmactuates the quick attach (qa) cylinder OR another cylinder function (ex: grapple, 4n1 bucket, tree shear, mini hoe...). Problem : at times it is difficult to change the attachment...

www.tractorbynet.com

Joystick Circuit Selector Button

It may be a while before I get pictures, so I'll post too many words. After the testing and demonstration that Bubenberg and I did on Sunday, I can declare the modification of the hydraulic controls on my PT1845 to be a success. With the button on the joystick, I can control the mounting plate...

www.tractorbynet.com

You pick up your attachment, lock the Q/A on to the attachment, and then swap the quick disconnects to the attachment. It is quick to do with practice. Use the attachment. Stop, disconnect and swap the quick disconnects onto the Q/A plate. Use the Q/A disconnect to drop the attachment. I prefer to do the hose swaps with the power off, but that's me. I also put a colored zip tie on one side of each set of hoses, so that the Q/A lever always behaves the same for me.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

So how do you lock the Q/A plate in place if you move the Q/A connections to the third function?

Where would I add a third function and where is it plumbed in if I go that route?

You have the MAIN PTO that supplies power to motors like mowers, brushes, snowblower, etc.

Then you have the AUX PTO. That is the lever by your knee. That controls the quick attach cylinder to lock and unlock it.

If you have something like a grapple or power-angle snow blade, you have to attach it with the QA, then move the QA cylinder hoses to the attachment cylinder hose. Now the AUX PTO lever operates the grapple or snow blade.

If you want to take the grapple or snow blade off, you have to disconnect the AUX PTO hoses from the attachment and connect them back to the QA cylinder.

It ads about a minute to the process of swapping an implement, and you have to get off the machine to do the hoses.

As others have mentioned, some folks have added an electric hydraulic diverter valve to their machines. I think they connect the dump/curl function of the joystick to the input of the diverter, then run the normally open connections to the dump/curl cylinder, and the normally closed connections to the grapple cylinder. Then mount a momentary push button to the joystick handle.

Normal operations are just that. Dump/curl controls dump/curl. Hold the button in and dump/curl now controls the grapple cylinder.

 

[MossRoad]

Like ponytug said!

 

[ponytug]

Like ponytug said!

Like @MossRoad said!

 

[2manyrocks]

Am I correct that the brush cutter hoses connect as shown by the arrows in this picture?

What is the blue capped hyd. connection used for?

 

[ponytug]

That is a special return hose, design for an extremely low pressure return to tank. AFAIK, it is designed to be used for the post driver, and any implement with a motor that needs a case drain. Be aware that it is slightly smaller than the normal PTO oil return hose nearby with the red cap.

All the best,

Peter

 

[woodlandfarms]

My kingdom for a machine that clean.

 

[2manyrocks]

If it makes you feel better, I saw some oil in the tub under the pumps. Not sure where it came from just yet.

Yard at the house needed mowing. Did that. Mowed around the barn. Then mowed some weeds off a hillside. Noticed that debris builds up between the front left wheel and the frame due to the discharge from the brush cutter.

I've always been a bit apprehensive about mowing that hillside with a tractor, but the PT is a different experience. Sort of like going from a regular lawn mower to a zero turn.

 

[ponytug]

Yes, material builds up there. I hop off periodically and clean it out. Mostly to stretch, but also to keep it clear. Material can work its way along the hoses to underneath the floorboards beneath your feet.

BTW: I always drive with my feet pressing on each pedal at all times. I don't want a bump to cause the machine to suddenly move forward or in reverse. (All it took was one time, and I learned my lesson.)

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

Yep. My PT425 throws debris there as well with the mower and brush cutter.

Drive in reverse and it'll fling it out the front left.

I've never had it cause a problem. I have an old golf club with the head removed and a spike inserted in the shaft. I use that to poke/dig any debris out after I'm done for the day. Garden hose works well too. Just beware of back spray into your face.