adding hydraulics/grapple to a JD 3038E

[scobrado]

I am a first-time tractor owner with a JD 3038E. I would like to add attachments that require hydraulics. I have no experience with hydraulics, so I would like to start with the JD rear hydraulics kit because it's designed to fit my tractor without any hassles or hydraulics design knowledge on my part. The most immediate need I have is a bolt-on grapple on the bucket. This single need would best be configured by a third function on the FEL joystick. However, I don't have the experience to cobble together a custom solution the way many of you masters of tractor mods do.

So my main question is: Is running long 10 or 12 ft. line from the rear controls to the bucket a bad idea?

Additional questions and areas I could use advise:

Any better options?

Will I be able to disconnect the grapple hydraulic lines to power other attachments?

What are he best vendors for bolt-on grapples for smaller buckets (the 305 FEL has a 61 3/8" wide bucket)?

Is the JD rear hydraulics kit install reasonable someone who is reasonably handy but with no prior hydraulics experience?

Does the JD rear hydraulics allow the operator to run the attachment gradually (is this what is meant by "feathering"?) or is the control just on or off?

If the control are just on/off, is that workable for grapple and top link controls?

Thanks in advance.

--ScoBraDo

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'm sorry that I can't help you out with which type of controls that John Deere has as far as electric or mechanical. :ashamed: Mechanical would be best for the rear remote IMO, but that is just that, my opinion. Yes you can control the electric 3rd function valves by either continually having the switch on off-on off, or by installing a flow restrictor so that the fluid is slowed waaaaay down. Would you be against installing an electric diverter valve instead of a true 3rd function valve for your grapple? Diverters are actually quite easy to install. In fact on the 3038e I think that coming up with the ideal mounting spot would be the hardest thing to do. Having the button control on the loader joystick is so much nicer vs using the rear remote. Plus then your rear remote will be available for your hydraulic top link.

Just my :2cents:, good luck with your project.

 

[pedalstomper78]

No problem at all running those lines as long as they are a hydraulic line setup for running the right pressure.
I've actually got a snow blade on my loader that I've hooked up using the rear remotes on my tractor. Works great. As far as disconnecting the grapple lines, I thought of that issue when doing the power angle on my snow blade. A set of quick disconnects make short work of it. Two sets of these in 1/2 (should be the same at the remotes in the rear) will do it.
ISO 5675 Agricultural Hydraulic Quick Disconnects
I wanted to be able to quickly go back and forth between my snow blade and the bucket. Pull the levers on the QA, disconnect the hydraulic quick connects. Done.
You can see the disconnects towards the bottom of the picture.

Pardon the blue color and lack of paint on the blade. Blade was free (with cylinders) from a friend. Used a skidsteer QR plate to adapt it to my tractor. The blue paint is 2 cans I've had laying around for 8 years. I figured I'd use that to cover it up for the time being as this is a work in progress. It'll get finished and a good coat of paint once it's refined and she'll look pretty for next year.

It looks like a fairly straight forward install. Never done one myself, but looking at the parts list and seeing how it's setup, I think hand tools and a few hours in the shop are what's needed. (Beer may or may not help the process)
I found a picture of the assembly here.
Accessories for the John Deere 3038E Tractor
Looked at the price of my local dealer and it's about $50 cheaper there also.

Although the levers would not be on your FEL joystick. It looks as if they are by your right hand right by the 3 point controls. Mine are located on my fender by my 3 point controls and although I'd rather have them on the joystick, it's still not a bad spot to be in.
The levers will allow you to "feed" the flow of hydraulic oil so you should be able to feather things as you wish as long as you have a steady hand.

The fact that the kit is dual remotes (looks like it's the only way it's available from Deere) is actually a good thing. As soon as you would install one remote, you'd find a use for 3 more.

I'm not sure on who would be the best for a bolt on grapple. I'm sure that someone will chime in here with some answers on that soon enough. I hope that this helps!