3rd function use in 2 places

[RalphVa]

Thinking about getting a grapple, which requires some hydraulic lines and connections up front.

Wondering whether a tee could be put in the lines for the valve/buttons to work a hydraulic top link when grapple not needed.

 

[old and tired]

It could but you will need to disconnect the grapple or the Top Link to make the other work correctly. Otherwise, both will try to move, path of least resistance will move.

Now going from 1 spool to 2 spools is not much extra cost... Like these: one spool= $112 vs. 2 spool= $177

https://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydra...ool-8-GPM-Prince-MB11B5C1-DA-Valve-9-7861.axd

https://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydra...ol-8-GPM-Prince-MB21BB5C1-DA-Valve-9-7862.axd

It used to be that the 3 spool was only a little bit more but now it's over $100 for 3...

 

[ericm979]

Ideally what you want for the grapple is a 3rd function or diverter with buttons on the joystick and quick connects out on the loader. And for the top link you need a rear remote with a lever in the operator's station.

You can make do with a remote for the 3rd function and hydraulic hoses run up to the loader but it's not as good as you need to move your hand from the loader joystick to the remote lever and back a lot. That you can do with a single set of valves which you mount on the fender. If you are going to the trouble to mount remotes you might as well put in extra spools even if you're not going to run the grapple off one.

You could tee the output of a 3rd function but if you have both grapple and top link plugged in at the same time the results when you operate the controls would be unpredictable. When you have two loads teed together then the one with the least resistance moves first.

 

[Zebrafive]

A three way ball valve would allow you to pick which item has hydraulics

 

[Raul-02]

Thinking about getting a grapple,

SPEND THE MONEY
A grapple is more useful to me than the bucket. I use it so much I don't know how I drew breath before.

 

[old and tired]

A three way ball valve would allow you to pick which item has hydraulics

https://www.amazon.com/3-Way-High-Pressure-Ball-Valves/dp/B00MQ7064A

Pretty cool, I didn't know that existed...

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

A three way ball valve would allow you to pick which item has hydraulics

That's what I did on a snowblower at work. I wasn't interested in going crazy

 

[svendawg]

A three way ball valve would allow you to pick which item has hydraulics

Will doing that require two three way ball valves, one for each side of the hydraulics. Want to this on my tractor so I can operate the tilt and trim on my box blade from my rear remote.

 

[TMGT]

Will doing that require two three way ball valves, one for each side of the hydraulics. Want to this on my tractor so I can operate the tilt and trim on my box blade from my rear remote.

Yes, or you can use a double selector valve which will switch both ports at once.

Sent from my SM-G715U1 using TractorByNet mobile app

 

[Fxfymn413]

Ideally what you want for the grapple is a 3rd function or diverter with buttons on the joystick and quick connects out on the loader.

My $.02 is that a 3rd function is not an ideal solution for a grapple. The problem, at least for me, is the third function has no practical way to moderate the speed and force of the hydraulics that open and close the grapple. I had one installed on the last tractor I bought , used it for a day or two, added a flow limit valve which did not work, and went back to using the rear remote to operate the grapple so I could control it through the use of a real valve.

For the same money I could have added at least one, and maybe two, more remotes.

Yes you take your hand off of the loader valve. So what? On my tractor they are located adjacent to each other and it has no real effect for me.

As I said just my $.02.

 

[ericm979]

I operate my grapple with a rear remote located on the fender near the joystick. I never "feather" the remote. It's full on until the lids stop crushing whatever is in them. The lids don't move all that fast. Maybe because I have a dual lid grapple with two cylinders.

Eventually I will make a 3rd function for it.

 

[Raul-02]

he problem, at least for me, is the third function has no practical way to moderate the speed and force of the hydraulics

Interesting. Mine is an after market that I had my deal install. I have a little momentary button switch I can twitch the open or close in tiny increments.
But to be fair it is the rare thing when I want to be delicate.
What sorts of things would you likely be picking up that you want to attenuate the grip force?

 

[IndyJay]

Interesting. Mine is an after market that I had my deal install. I have a little momentary button switch I can twitch the open or close in tiny increments.
But to be fair it is the rare thing when I want to be delicate.
What sorts of things would you likely be picking up that you want to attenuate the grip force?

A dead deer?

 

[mo1]

A dead deer?

We use a bale spear or pallet forks. Put a short rope around the ankles, hook the rope over a fork or spear, and hoist the deer up to skin it and bone it out. It isn't deer hunting around here unless you are butchering a deer hanging from a tractor loader an hour after dark by tractor headlights.

 

[LD1]

As others have mentioned....yes it will work, but it won't work right if BOTH are connected

Assuming you would use couplers or quick disconnects.....if only ONE is hooked up at a time...toe one that isn't hooked up is, the couplers will block that flow path as if the tee weren't there.

But I have no reason to ever remove the hydraulic toplink on the tractor. With no implement it just hands there from the hook.

If that's your situation....with a tee...that toplink cylinder is gonna fully stoke each direction til out of travel before you get force to move the grapple.

A pair of 3-way ball valves is basically the same thing as a manual selector valve. Just one lever to move instead of two.

But the cost and added fittings....is probably more than the difference in cost between a single spool and a two spool valve. Just put a 2-spool third function valve in. And if a manual valve, make sure it is PB capable with the PB plug.

 

[Smokeydog]

I’ve had both remote and button 3rd function. Not that big of difference. Some remote handles are not ergonomically placed for grapple use on some models.

Spend the money and make grapple and rear remote(s) work independently.

 

[Fxfymn413]

What sorts of things would you likely be picking up that you want to attenuate the grip force?

My grapple set up is home made using my pallet forks as the base. I use the grapple to help hold loads, some which are a bit fragile, like when I move assembled cabinets from the wood shop to a trailer for transport.

If I were using a commercial grapple I can see where it would be less of an issue but even when I'm grabbing logs to move into the dump trailer I like having the ability to slowly open the grapple so the log slides into the trailer instead of just dropping.

Here is a picture of version 1.0. prior to paint. It looks a bit different today as I found a couple of weak spots in my original effort that I had to remedy. I found anything with hydraulics tends to locate the weak spot pretty quickly.

 

[Zebrafive]

Will doing that require two three way ball valves, one for each side of the hydraulics. Want to this on my tractor so I can operate the tilt and trim on my box blade from my rear remote.

only one. The circuit that is "off" per the 3 way ball valve will have a "dead end" for which ever line the 3 way ball valve is in.

 

[ovrszd]

I wouldn't be satisfied with any setup that required me to move my hand to a different lever for any of the three functions.

A grapple becomes such a valued attachment that you'll use it a LOT. I built mine on a Lo Pro Bobcat bucket. My original Kubota bucket sits outside in the equipment row. I use it once a year max.

So, expect to use this attachment very frequently. Plumb it for maximum ease of use.