Grapple Grapple came today

[curly]

I got my grapple today and got it on the tractor. The hoses were plugged into each other and I unplugged them...but I could not get them to plug into the ones on my tractor. The ones on my tractor look exactly the same. Is there a certain way to twist them or anything else to do before I can plug in the grapple hoses?

I actually unplugged the ones on the grapple and when I coouldn't get them to plug into the tractor I plugged them back together just to see it work...and then I could not get them unplugged. It was dark and I have had a long day so I gave up.

Any clues other than try harder

 

[BTDT]

Should be able to unhook (loosen) hose end from cylinder, and this will bleed off pressure that might be built up, then you should be able to get them unhooked. Don't know about the setup on your tractor, maybe take a soft punch and tap the center tip in QD, (with tractor off), then try to hook them up. Bet you thought it was going to be easy, huh. May also be able to wiggle control valve back and forth to relieve pressure. Good luck.

 

[curly]

... Bet you thought it was going to be easy, huh...

Well, I picked it up on a pallet in my small pickup. The pallet was falling apart so I lifted it off with the fel and got it on the ground and cut the metal straps and it was leaning in a weird way. Then I removed the fel and in the position the grapple ended up I thought I'd never get it onto the tractor. That was what I thought was gonna be the hard part.

I did not think connecting the hoses would be at all hard. So, is this gonna always be a pain when I hook something to the 3rd function hydralic?

 

[BTDT]

I'm thinking it's just going to be a learning curve, like when you try anything new. Once you get it figured out, I'm sure it'll be fine. But if it does continue to be a problem, then you need to start searching for the solution as to why it's happening.

 

[6sunset6]

I have a thumb on my bucket. Sort of a poor man's grapple. I have a little trouble plugging in the QD. The first time I had the arm up in the air and just the weight on the cylinder pushing the oil down on the QD was a problem. Had to pick up the arm with a chain falls . Next time I lowered the arm and all I had to do then was start the engine and wiggle the joystick , with the diverter valve button held down. Pressure off everything no problems.

 

[curly]

So basically, it has pressure on it that needs to be relieved by jiggling the contols...front and back...after the fel is on the ground and the 3pt is all the way down.

Is this sorta right...or no?

 

[IslandTractor]

So basically, it has pressure on it that needs to be relieved by jiggling the contols...front and back...after the fel is on the ground and the 3pt is all the way down.

Is this sorta right...or no?

Sorta. The problem is that the lines are still under pressure. Even the new grapple lines could be under pressure so wiggling the FEL is not a cure all.

1) always shut off the tractor so there is no hydraulic pressure in the system.
2) wiggle the FEL control until the bucket/grapple doesn't move anymore and that will release pressure on the FEL side most of the time.
3) the male end of the quick connect has a little protrusion on the tip. You should be able to push that in by pressing against a flat clean surface and express a tad of oil. If you cannot press it in, it is under pressure and you need to go to plan B. Plan B is to release the pressure. Put a rag over the tip, hold it firmly in your hand and whack the tip with a hammer. Holding it you hand is a good way to make sure you don't hit it too hard but basically you are looking to open that tip so the oil pressure will be released. Sometimes you need to do it several times before you can press the tip in with your fingertip. Sometimes instead of getting a hammer I just bang the tip against a rag I put on the grapple cross piece.
4) the female side can also be under pressure. You can carefully put a screwdriver tip/rag covered down and push to release oil pressure there too.
5) once you release the pressure the quick connects will go together easily so you shouldn't need to fight them.

 

[SkunkWerX]

So basically, it has pressure on it that needs to be relieved by jiggling the contols...front and back...after the fel is on the ground and the 3pt is all the way down.

Is this sorta right...or no?

Curly, that is certainly what I would try first, but, also, remember the grapple hoses are probably under pressure, and as was mentioned, you can unscrew the fittings to release the pressure, if need be.

Shut down, do the FEL control jiggle first. Note: If you are using a solenoid valve, you need to switch it back m forth while relieving pressure.
The way I wired mine, the key has to be ON so i can cycle between those two circuits.

Also, it's more than a jiggle, I hold mine in each position for about 2 seconds, Right, Left, Up, Down. You can usually see the FEL and hydr. lines go to a "rest" position.

If this doesn't work, then IslandTractor has stepped through the procedure for manually relieving line pressure.
**Safety: always remember that the Hydr. lines could potentially have a lot of pressure in them, treat them with respect!

I have always been able to relieve the pressure just be operating the valve with the tractor OFF. They could have very well tested the Grapple before shipping and it may need relieving.

Good luck, let us know how you make out!!

 

[curly]

Thanks, I'll report back when I have a picture of a grapple eating a tree

 

[firefighter9208]

Which grapple did you buy?

 

[6sunset6]

oh sorry I meant turn the key on , not start the engine, and then wiggle the joystick with the grapple valve picked.

 

[curly]

Which grapple did you buy?

WRLong RBGD-60

It's 5ft long, and weighs 627. Has the dual grippers.

 

[john_bud]

Oh, you got the manly mans grapple!

Is there a diverter valve for sending fluid to the grapple lines? May need to flip it back and forth too.

Don't forget that the lines are black and will heat up in the sun, raising the pressure in them. That happens sometimes on loaders that are off the tractor, causing confusion and delay. First thing to do is relieve the pressure, then it will normally be a snap.

jb

 

[curly]

Oh, you got the manly mans grapple!

Is there a diverter valve for sending fluid to the grapple lines? May need to flip it back and forth too.

Don't forget that the lines are black and will heat up in the sun, raising the pressure in them. That happens sometimes on loaders that are off the tractor, causing confusion and delay. First thing to do is relieve the pressure, then it will normally be a snap.

jb

Well, it was night and I doubt the lines were hot

Not sure about all of the valve lingo yet, the joystick has a red button on top and is set up with the WRLong stuff. Is that a diverter valve? How do you flip it back and forth?

 

[IslandTractor]

Well, it was night and I doubt the lines were hot

Not sure about all of the valve lingo yet, the joystick has a red button on top and is set up with the WRLong stuff. Is that a diverter valve? How do you flip it back and forth?

Yes, you have the diverter valve. When you operate the joystick without pushing the button the grapple will move like a bucket. When you want to open or close the grapple you press the red button and then either "curl" or "dump" with the joystick and the grapple will open or close. Exactly which action (open or close) will depend on how you connect the hydraulics. I suppose there is a standard but many people don't know that and just get used to whichever way they randomly connect the hoses. You'll figure it out soon enough. I like to open the grapple with the dump motion and close with the curl.

 

[firefighter9208]

WRLong RBGD-60

It's 5ft long, and weighs 627. Has the dual grippers.

Thanks. Can't afford one of those right now. Been looking at Add on grapples.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks. Can't afford one of those right now. Been looking at Add on grapples.

Try the Millonzi 48" grapple for under $800 plus shipping which is just a tad more than the add on grapple kits cost. It is much more versatile than an add on grapple. You can get them either with a QA mount or a tractor specific mount. They only weigh 280lbs so you preserve your lift capacity. Photos below are all with a Kioti CK20, a 21hp tractor. Couldn't lift those things if I had put a 600lb grapple on.

No need for a larger grapple. It's not the size of the army but the fury of the attack.

 

[curly]

Been meaning to ask this question. How do you know when to stop pinching down on something? Do you just see when the arms have touched the object or what? Can you pop the hoses or damage something by not letting off soon enough?

Thanks

 

[IslandTractor]

Been meaning to ask this question. How do you know when to stop pinching down on something? Do you just see when the arms have touched the object or what? Can you pop the hoses or damage something by not letting off soon enough?

Thanks

When you see the grapple stop moving it is time to stop trying to move it. You definitely don't want to leave the "pressure" on when the grapple has already clamped as hard as it can. When you release the pressure (not reverse it just stop applying pressure), the grapple arm will hold the load tight until you are ready to open the grapple again.

 

[6sunset6]

Here is a good picture of a diverter valve plumbed in. You can mount the valve anywhere. You have to switch the fluid feed from the curl to the diverter. Then one output from the diverter goes back to curl. The other output goes to the grapple QD.