Grapple hoses

[ehcrain]

Ive got a CID grapple with hoses longer than needed. Their in good shape thanks to my brother in law who borrowed the grapple, he strapped the hoses down but they came loose and dragged the ends on the road. He did me right and replaced the hoses and quick couplers. To prevent this from happening again if I ever transport the grapple off of my tractor agin I purchased a set of couplers and pipe nipples to have a place to connect the hoses to when not on the tractor.
Drilled and tapped the top of the grapple frame. First time I have done such a large tapped hole and one got crooked but it works as intended.

Hopefully will prevent future issues from long hoses.

 

[CoyPatton]

Only caution I would express (day late I realize) is that by drilling fairly large holes in the grapple frame, you have weakened the grapple and created an potential failure point.
For others that may wish to do this consider welding/u-bolting a plate of steel or angle iron and using that plate as a place to put your fittings.
Or be cheap like me and use zip ties and consider them cheap one time use securing the hoses in several locations.

 

[mcfarmall]

Cut a pipe coupling in half and weld each half to the frame, then screw the couplers into the coupling pieces. This will also keep oil from filling the frame.

 

[ehcrain]

I doubt the location of the holes sees a huge stress load during use but I may be wrong and any fluid leaking out will help coat the inside of the frame, at least thats what im hoping for.

 

[oosik]

I don't see two holes at that point on the square tube as causing any problem. You will wrap that grapple into a pretzel shape before those holes come into play.