Grapple buckets - Extra hydraulics needed?

[tillboy2001]

I've been seeing posts with these grapple buckets and they look very useful. Especially for what we do around here. But the question is do you need to install more lines, etc to make this work? I'm thinking you still need the 2 original lines to raise/lower the loader and you still need the 2 other original lines to tilt the bucket back and forth....right?...and so I keep thinking you need something else to open and close the jaws of the grapple. Right or wrong? Ballpark cost involved to add the extras if needed? Just curious. If nothing extra was needed, it might be worth looking into how much one of these grapples cost. Thanks

 

[AntrimMan]

If you keep it simple, only a diverter valve might be needed and you could still use one of the loader valves to operate the grapple. I think Pineridge posted on this only a short while ago. He may have employed an electric solenoid diverter if the single malt hasn't muddied my memory, but perhaps it has. Try a search and set the dates sufficiently. Whatever you do, please avoid the misuse of teflon tape.
Best of luck,
Martin

 

[penokee]

pz- I have a bolt-on grapple, which works ok - would remove it if I planned to do a lot of work using the FEL bucket for dirt.
Picture of grapple attached.
Had a Rear Remote installed to provide controls for the grapple. May be a simpler/cheaper way, but since I'm hydraulically challenged - had the Dealer handle it. Will also post pic of my Rear Remote.
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[penokee]

Rear Remote.
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

I'm with penokee. I prefer the rear remote valve over a electric diverter valve for a couple of reasons:

- No electrical connections. An electric valve may work now, but in five or ten years it may be a different story. I just have had poor luck with electrical things in the past...especially electrical things exposed to harsh environments.

- Added versatility to the tractor. A rear valve will allow you to use three-point attachments with hydraulic controls.

In addition, the rear remote valve MAY be cheaper than an electro-hydraulic valve. This will depend on your tractor.

 

[PineRidge]

Here's my take on this subject.

I installed 3 rear remotes shortly after purchasing our TC-40D so certainly there was an available rear remote that we might use for the grapple.

I didn't want to stretch hydraulic hoses from the front to the back of my tractor underneath where they were prone to added damage from snags with immovable objects.

When using the joystick to raise/lower or curl the bucket it's second nature to push a button on the joystick in order to gain control of the grapple without having to remove your hand from the joystick, without needing to move your hand and attention to the rear remote lever to open/close the grapple.

Your productivity will increase using the button on the joystick as all movements will be automatic and fluid. I have found that when working in the woods the grapple circuit became automatic to me in a very short time.

When you factor into consideration the increased cost of the longer hydraulic hoses and the rear remote kit itself it'm not sure you are actually seeing any big bucks between the two installations.

The electric diverter valve that we purchased from Surplus Center was $149.00 at the time of our installation, although they have gone up some since everyone here at TBN started adding the electric diverters to their own rigs.

In short controlling a grapple can still be done with a separate rear remote by stretching hydraulic hoses under your rig if that's the route that you choose to take.

 

[CTyler]

Here are my thoughts on what can be done from worst to best.

To get by in a pinch use the curl circuit on the FEL. Or in otherwords your just die'in to play with it before getting a real setup.

If you already have it use a rear remote. This is kinda the quick and dirty way to do it but will work AOK. This may be the way to go if the grapple is only used on occasion.

The nicest way would to add another circuit or diverter valve.