Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics

   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics #1  

lincolnvt

Silver Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2004
Messages
162
Location
Lincoln, VT
Tractor
2007 JD 2520
Hey guys:
Well it has been several months of work and learning but I have officially completed my hydraulic set up in preparation for my grapple (No Chris I haven't purchased it yet... ) Special thanks to Kenny as always for his help and support. Also, thanks to Michael Ames for fabricating the connection b/w my joystick and the Otto handle switch.

This morning I took my 2520 up to the neighbors shop and we fabricated the bulkhead. I had sketched it out on a simple drafting program I own. We used 1/4 in steel stock and it is two inches high. The two holes for the bulkhead fitting were drilled after making a caliper measurement on the actual fittings. It was a tight fit b/c we only had about 2 1/2 inches of width to work with. I buffed the paint off the hydraulic line cover on the tractor in preparation for welding. The two sides of the bulkhead are welded on the sides of the cover not the top so we could have the full 2 1/2 inches for the fittings. Once the welding was completed the corners were rounded and buffed, everything was primed and painted JD Green. In preparation for putting the cover back on I was my buddy was looking at the hard lines and noticed some significant wear a the corners on the two ends. Evidently the cover is rubbing the hard lines and wearing through - that would be bad. So, I cut some nylon protective hose cover and wrapped the hard line before putting the cover back in place. You guys may want to check this out on your tractors. It would obviously take a long time to wear through but I was surprised by the damage already done (120hrs in). Once the cover with the painted bulkhead was back in place it was time to tighten fittings. I had already connected the bulkhead fitting to the NPT of the hose end. Put that through the steel plate and locked it down with the nut. Then, we connected the 1/4 Pioneer QC to the O ring end of the fitting and connected that assembly to the JIC end of the bulkhead fitting. Pushed the button on the joystick to change over the diverter and gave it pressure - everything held perfectly. I know this is long winded I am just excited how things worked out and wanted to give as much info as possible to help others. Any questions just let me know.

Cheers, Brad
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0298.jpg
    IMG_0298.jpg
    41.6 KB · Views: 630
  • IMG_0299.jpg
    IMG_0299.jpg
    39.2 KB · Views: 535
  • IMG_0300.jpg
    IMG_0300.jpg
    40.1 KB · Views: 491
  • IMG_0301.jpg
    IMG_0301.jpg
    45.3 KB · Views: 412
  • IMG_0302.jpg
    IMG_0302.jpg
    45 KB · Views: 390
  • IMG_0303.jpg
    IMG_0303.jpg
    49.8 KB · Views: 390
  • IMG_0305.jpg
    IMG_0305.jpg
    49.8 KB · Views: 366
  • IMG_0306.jpg
    IMG_0306.jpg
    56.2 KB · Views: 368
  • IMG_0307.jpg
    IMG_0307.jpg
    49 KB · Views: 494
   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics #2  
Very professional job. Looks like it came from the factory.
 
   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Charles,
Thanks for the kind words. I had fun working on this project - now just need the grapple and I will be all set.

Brad
 
   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics #4  
Looks nice. Are you going to run 90's on the ends of your grapple lines or slack?
 
   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics
  • Thread Starter
#5  
I am going to run 90's - even looking at those crazy expensive swivel 90's to protect my hoses.
 
   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics #6  
Hmmm..what would swivel? The hose side of the fitting?
 
   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics
  • Thread Starter
#7  
I was looking at these fittings - Hydraulic Swivel Joints
What do you think? Thanks for your interest in the project.

Brad
 
   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics #8  
lincolnvt said:
I was looking at these fittings - Hydraulic Swivel Joints
What do you think? Thanks for your interest in the project.

Brad

That is exactly what you want, a live swivel. Some people use the swivel crimp fittings that go on ahose, but their swivel is meant for installation only and always end up leaking.

That is some nice fabricating, looks factory.
 
   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics #9  
So you're looking at the 9S series (single plane) and plan on putting the swivel on the hose side of the fitting vs. the QC side, correct?
 
   / Bulkhead for Grapple Hydraulics
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Yes I think so - what do you and Andy think? Thanks also Andy for you comments that means a lot coming from somebody who does this sort of thing for a living.

Thanks, Brad
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2010 Gleaner 9250 Draper Head  30' with Crary Air Wind System (A51039)
2010 Gleaner 9250...
2000 John Deere 1860, 30ft Wide, Gandy Box, Wing Fold, 7.5in Spacing (A51039)
2000 John Deere...
2011 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA (A50854)
2011 FREIGHTLINER...
2005 INTERNATIONAL 4300 CARGO TRUCK (INOPERABLE) (A50854)
2005 INTERNATIONAL...
2017 Ford F-450 Crew Cab Mason Dump Truck (A50323)
2017 Ford F-450...
2010 POLARIS RANGER 4X4 4 SEATER UTV (A51222)
2010 POLARIS...
 
Top