BX25 GrappleOmatic

[EE_Bota]

J_J is on the money as always...

The existing 2 hydraulic hoses that power the curl cylinder go to the 2 inputs
on the Fasse Valve, the no power ports will feed the curl and the power ports,
or when I push the button, will feed the grapple cylinder. So I can
boom up and down at will and curl OR grapple.

I can't see it not working...were gonna find out anyways...

I just hit a road block. Understand I am learning hydralic EVERYTHING here.
I looked at my BX25 hoses feeding the curl cylinder and they said 1/4", OK,
I assumed they were 1/4" NPT (into the cylinder) x 1/4"JIC(where the hose connects)90 degree fittings, NOT, they measure out to 1/4" NPT x 3/8" JIC,
UNLESS I AM WRONG. I assume Kubotas thinking is to keep the ID a full 1/4"
or better thru the fittings.

So I await fittings. I hope I am right! Jery? I am right yes? Those are 3/8"
JIC x 1/4"npt 90* hose fittings on the curl cylinder yes?
You have a BX25 there do you not?

I believe you are correct on the 1/4 hose but 3/8" JIC fittings. That is what is on my BX2200. I just broke one Saturday, and you just reminded me to get some new 3/8 reusable fittings on order, as I used my last Saturday. Thanks for the reminder.

The tractors are not identical, but similar. The fittings I try to keep around are 1/4 NPT (2 total) for screwing into things like quick couplers and 3/8 JIC Female for all else. I use 45 degree and 90 degree adapters to adapt to places such as the control valve, etc.

 

[magicheater]

J_J is on the money as always...

The existing 2 hydraulic hoses that power the curl cylinder go to the 2 inputs
on the Fasse Valve, the no power ports will feed the curl and the power ports,
or when I push the button, will feed the grapple cylinder. So I can
boom up and down at will and curl OR grapple.

I can't see it not working...were gonna find out anyways...

I just hit a road block. Understand I am learning hydralic EVERYTHING here.
I looked at my BX25 hoses feeding the curl cylinder and they said 1/4", OK,
I assumed they were 1/4" NPT (into the cylinder) x 1/4"JIC(where the hose connects)90 degree fittings, NOT, they measure out to 1/4" NPT x 3/8" JIC,
UNLESS I AM WRONG. I assume Kubotas thinking is to keep the ID a full 1/4"
or better thru the fittings.

So I await fittings. I hope I am right! Jery? I am right yes? Those are 3/8"
JIC x 1/4"npt 90* hose fittings on the curl cylinder yes?
You have a BX25 there do you not?

I do not, but you may want to look at this for more info. All my fittings on the loader control appeared to be JIC6 but the cylinders appeared to be larger, perhaps JIC8? I have an LA402 loader on a B7800.

 

[deezler]

Negative and Affirative deezler...

The fasse valve goes AFTER the loader valve, read above.

Affirmative I can only use Curl, OR Grapple, not both at once.

So the FEL Stick still controls the boom and the curl OR the grapple, one OR the other.

I spent some time thinking about it and I think were going to be OK,
I think it will end up being very intuitive in nature.

Cool. So when you hit the button, that you will mount up on your joystick, it will divert function to the grapple....? I.E., no extra switches or valve controls required. Just one button to switch the existing curl/dump function on your factory stick over to a grapple open / close control? That should work really well! Provided the fasse button / valve are near-instantaneous switching. It would be a pain to have to wait a second or two each time you tried to switch functions.

 

[bindian]

I do not, but you may want to look at this for more info. All my fittings on the loader control appeared to be JIC6 but the cylinders appeared to be larger, perhaps JIC8? I have an LA402 loader on a B7800.

Artican,
Your going to have to do what I did and that I did not want to do. I took the lines apart that go to the diverter valve and I visually checked that they were, indeed, the size I thought they were. This after ordering JIC 6 fittings when I needed JIC 8.
Wasted lots of $$.$$ on express shipping.
hugs, Brandi

 

[EE_Bota]

Artican,
Your going to have to do what I did and that I did not want to do. I took the lines apart that go to the diverter valve and I visually checked that they were, indeed, the size I thought they were. This after ordering JIC 6 fittings when I needed JIC 8.
Wasted lots of $$.$$ on express shipping.
hugs, Brandi

If I remember correctly, the female 3/8 JIC fitting takes an 11/16's wrench, if that helps.


I just went to the maintenance shop and checked...yes 11/16 wrench size fits Eaton 3/8 JIC (-6 dash size).

 

[Artisan]

deezler, Yep you got the right idea now. I kinda think it is going to be VERY fast, time will tell, when it is up and running correctly I will do a YouTube.

I erred in the inlet size of the Fasse Valve , I misinterperted the blueprints for the valve...it is not a -6 inlets and outs, it is -8. I requested the powers that be here change my previous post, I hope they did, I have not checked yet.

bindian, HICKCUP!~....sigh...(see above +) YEP, I am following in your shoes! I got a pile of nothin' sitting righ next to me and a new pile on it's way! So I had 2 OtOhhs...that bit me ! hehe Oh well, I am now "into" hydraulics so I will save the excess fittings....alls ya can do is get a credit if you send them back to discounthydraulic and that is like a 2 week darn near ordeal...

Yes e_bota, I do believe your correctomundoh!

Thank ya all..............

 

[Artisan]

magicheater, Indeed there is a way to measure all this stuff and I found it very similar to your link, HERE It is very comprehensive. Unless I have another brainphart I should have the correct size fittings coming by Friday.
BUT, and Thank GOD, my phone has been ringing and real life is interrupting
my tractor extracurricular activities! Hallelujah!

 

[deezler]

deezler, Yep you got the right idea now. I kinda think it is going to be VERY fast, time will tell, when it is up and running correctly I will do a YouTube.

Sweet, thanks. As an engineer, the more I think about the logic of this system design, the more I love it. If it's fast-switching, it should prove very intuitive, I think. Definitely one of the simplest ways to add a grapple.

Unless I missed it somewhere, do you mind posting the total price of the control system (valve, electrical, hoses) once you are done?

 

[Artisan]

snip

Unless I missed it somewhere, do you mind posting the total price of the control system (valve, electrical, hoses) once you are done?

I think indeed I eluded to doing just that previously, when it is all said and done I will post up a PARTS NEEDED deal and it will be very easy to duplicate.

 

[cschulz]

Cant wait to see how this all comes out Brad. Does look like a slick system and great concept.


Chris

 

[mpham]

Looks like a great idea to copy for me.:thumbsup: I want a grapple on mine.

 

[Artisan]

Looks like a great idea to copy for me.:thumbsup: I want a grapple on mine.

Shouldn't be too much longer and I will have it out of beta and I will post up a all inclusive parts list...

 

[Artisan]

...and as a matter of fact two more parts arrived today; :licking:

 

[Artisan]

OK, the clamps are fabbed!

The hinges are lil 2" wide hinges, 2 of them, that I sawed to suit.
Here I'm beating them into submission! The flat hinges must be radius'd.

The holes are for plug welds, I wanted more than just the exterior edges,
welded, so you drill holes then weld up the holes for more strength.
You guys that whine you can't weld take note!
I can't weld either, but I do it! :laughing: Buy a welder and TRY! :thumbsup:

The rings are actually 1" long pieces of 4" DOM tubing, .25" wall thick.

Looks like it might live!

Before and after the beatings now working on the clasps...

Almost ready to weld again;

Viola!

...and after a good blasting we have a couple of clamps.
Metal blasted w/ glass beads reveals it's true color, it is white-ish.

Fabbed by ...-BADFAB-...

 

[bindian]

Artisan,
I have been following your fab up until now. What are these clamps for?
hugs, Brandi

 

[Artisan]

Artisan,
I have been following your fab up until now. What are these clamps for?
hugs, Brandi

Brandi back a few pages you see me measuring the FEL's round crossbar
with a pair of calipers, It is real close to 3.5" in diameter.
This is where I am going to hang my Fasse Valve.
The clamps will attach to this crossbar, then I will weld the Mounting plate
as pictured HERE on to the two clamps.

So in brief, the clamps are part of the Fasse valve mount.

The idea is I am not ready to drill nor weld on my tractor whereas I would void a warranty
that is good for another 1.5 years. Additionally it gives me some flexability
on the posistioning of the valve itself.

That reminds me, have you updated you thread building your like valve?
I have not got any email updates...hmmmmmmm, I am gonna go look.

 

[bindian]

Artisan,
Oh, okay. I get it now. Thanks for the link back to my thread. I just sat down to update it.
I didn't do anything last weekend as I went to Rodeo Austin with my daughter and saw Sara Evans in concert.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Artisan]

Ok the clamp bone gets connected to the mount bone, the clamp-mount
assembly bone connects to the FEL 4" Diameter Cross brace bone. :laughing:
(Cross brace bone not shown, that is a 4" piece of pipe I have been useing to fab the fasse-valve-mount-assembly on.)

 

[Artisan]

Here is the wiring parts, I chose the ergonomic handle w/ push button,
here it is along with an additional extension which IS necessary if you want
to have an electrical disconnect so you can quick disco the FEL off the
tractor. They are Deutch connectors. I am going to look into shortening
at least one down the road.

There is a component that you will need to disconect all the wires from so
as to feed the wires thru small places, I marked it with 2R, 2B, B, and an R;
2R= spade w/ 2 red wires
2B= spade w/ 2 black wires
R= spade w/ 1 red wire
B= spade w/ 1 black wire
Do that or your own way and pull all connections.

Twist off the OE FEL Control Stick's rubber handle and temp set on the ergonomic grip ( this will need a modification later ) Pull the boot off, pull
the fuse out of the fuse holder and feed wires thru.

 

[Artisan]

Under the plastic beauty cover below the bellows you need to wiggle the
wires thru. The lock out device moves so stay clear of it, here it is shown moved 50%.

What I did was I kept the wire towards the rear, so over that lock out handle I went w/ the wire and tucked it under the beauty cover.

Open the cowl, pull out the battery...

This picture is looking up under the beauty cover for the FEL control stick,
I fed the wires over that solid deal and into the the battery compartment.
I had put the fuse back in, WRONG, keep the fuse out, I pulled it before
I ran the wires into the battery compartment.

After cramming all the wires thru you leave this connector hanging out below
the beauty cover, under the control stick bellows. This is going to be your
quick disconnect so you can take the FEL off wasily if you please.