Grapple Grapple "jaws" won't close

[countrybumpkin]

You next step would be to check the pressure on both lines going to the grapple, if you have good pressure on both lines, next would be to unhook one of the cylinders and try each one separate to narrow down farther.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Eric.. how the heck do you "jam open" the quick disconnects?

With anything to pop the male fitting open and a small screwdriver and feeler gauge. Make certain it is open well enough to to not develop high pressure.

On a female fitting, install an unattached male fitting for maximum jammed openage.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

You next step would be to check the pressure on both lines going to the grapple, if you have good pressure on both lines, next would be to unhook one of the cylinders and try each one separate to narrow down farther.

Alternatively, a video could be made explaining how each line is supposed to work.

Unless there is an electrical failure, or something not plumbed right, I'm going with a piece of Teflon tape blocking a passage somewhere which is why I'm interested in flow tests.

 

[bcp]

Wouldn't a reduced flow only make it slower, not weaker?

Bruce

 

[countrybumpkin]

Wouldn't a reduced flow only make it slower, not weaker? Bruce

Yes that's correct, that's why I would check pressure to make sure he is getting full pressure at the quick connects on the loader. Could still be the valve sticking enough to let fluid bypass in the valve

 

[gnawbone]

I switched the 'electrical windings' (the blue 'boxes' in the picture of the solenoid) - no change.

As for the QD, their is only one set (that is in line with the solenoid) and I was able to get fluid to pump through both of them - and by the way, I got a nice hydraulic bath with one of them!

At this point I think it is either the QD that connects the 'close' function or it's a bad cylinder. The thing I can't tell about the QD is that it pumps (a lot) of fluid when I pushed the 'pin' in (while my wife press the joystick button) but compared to what? Is it the right amount, 1/3 what it should be - I have no way of knowing nor do I have the equipment to "measure" it.

I'm starting to reach the "time is money" phase here - with a slight twist - I'm spending all my free time saving money. I've got limbs down everywhere from the storm, I've got about 10 acres (including trails) to mow, still have about 30 bushes that need trimmed, i.e. I don't have much more time to mess with this.

I'm going to call my local Kubota dealer tomorrow and ask him if he'll let me take the grapple there and hook it up to a tractor on their lot - I'll at least eliminate one variable or maybe find the answer.

 

[countrybumpkin]

From the looks of the video you have flow, just not building pressure on the closed circuit from what your saying about it will not hold a limb , there is really only two things that it can be if the loader works fine as for lifting ect. 1 as Kennyd has said a piston seal is blown , or 2 the valve is bleeding off the pressure internally, If it all worked fine the last time you used it. If you can take the grapple down and check the operation of it on another tractor that's a good idea if you don't have what you need to check the pressure at least it will eliminate either your tractor or the grapple.

 

[Threepoint]

Can't wait to see how this ends. I'm learning a lot in the telling, but the suspense is killing me!

 

[aczlan]

Do the quick disconnects match your rear remotes or the connections for your loader? If so, hook the lines up directly so you can eliminate the valve as a suspect fairly easily...

Aaron Z

 

[kennyd]

I could see it being a cylinder if only one was acting funny, but it's very unlikely to have 2 bad cylinders

Since they are plumbed in parallel, one can be bad and still affect both.

 

[gnawbone]

Aaron,

They are the same size but the hoses are way too short to hook it up to the FEL QDs.

 

[gnawbone]

So .... the somewhat local Kubota dealer picked up my tractor this AM. I got a call around 3:30 this afternoon from the "mechanic" and he asked me if the grapple had ever worked ...... yeah, he actually asked that .... He asked me if I installed the 3rd function and I told him I did not (a different Kubota dealer did - they are an authorized dealer for Construction Attachments). (By the way, I moved 52 trees with this grapple last fall when I was clearing an area in the woods to build a pole barn)

He then told me that "we cannot figure out how this thing is supposed to work" ...... sigh ...... oh, brother ..... In all fairness, I think the dealer gave this to the kid that sweeps the floor because he didn't sound like ... well, never mind.

I bought the tractor from this dealer but the "One Touch Kit" was installed by a different dealer because of the authorized dealer horse hockey. That dealer is also about 45 miles away and the one I bought the tractor from is only 20. I thought, mistakenly, that any Kubota service department could figure this out.

That is all of the bad news - the good news is I don't feel so dumb now! :laughing: - I'll let you know how this comes out.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

So .... the somewhat local Kubota dealer picked up my tractor this AM. I got a call around 3:30 this afternoon from the "mechanic" and he asked me if the grapple had ever worked ...... yeah, he actually asked that .... He asked me if I installed the 3rd function and I told him I did not (a different Kubota dealer did - they are an authorized dealer for Construction Attachments). (By the way, I moved 52 trees with this grapple last fall when I was clearing an area in the woods to build a pole barn)

He then told me that "we cannot figure out how this thing is supposed to work" ...... sigh ...... oh, brother ..... In all fairness, I think the dealer gave this to the kid that sweeps the floor because he didn't sound like ... well, never mind.

I bought the tractor from this dealer but the "One Touch Kit" was installed by a different dealer because of the authorized dealer horse hockey. That dealer is also about 45 miles away and the one I bought the tractor from is only 20. I thought, mistakenly, that any Kubota service department could figure this out.

That is all of the bad news - the good news is I don't feel so dumb now! :laughing: - I'll let you know how this comes out.

It is too bad you don't have one of us a neighbor who could look at it and supply special tools to puzzle it out.

If the solenoid is energizing, I'm going with a bit of teflon tape stuck somewhere blocking the passage.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Sorry to hear that your dealer is not of much help, maybe that's why they are not a authorized dealer.

 

[aczlan]

Aaron,
They are the same size but the hoses are way too short to hook it up to the FEL QDs.

Park the tractor next to the grapple so the lines can reach?

Aaron Z

 

[gnawbone]

It's fixed!

It was a quick disconnect where the hoses hook up to the valve/solenoid. Those QDs are much smaller than the ones that come off of the grapple so I'd have never found it without changing them just to be changing them.

Thank all of you for your advice, I learned a lot and I do appreciate it!

 

[bcp]

But aren't they the same QD's you had when it was working as expected?

Bruce

 

[gnawbone]

But aren't they the same QD's you had when it was working as expected?

Bruce

Yes.

When I spoke to the service manager today he told me they had it fixed and that it was a bad QD at the valve. They're bringing back to me Friday AM so I'll get a chance to make sure it is fixed and see exactly what they changed ..... but the above is what he told me. I don't know how they go bad - maybe it had dirt in it or, as Eric has said, it has a piece of plumbers tape in it. They also make money selling parts so it could have been something that could have easily been fixed but you'd have to define easily - easy on my wallet or easy on the cash drawer! :laughing:

I just need the thing back so I can clean up the mess - my OCD is in over-drive - the piles of limbs are right in my line of sight from my chair in our living room!

 

[MinnesotaEric]

This is still the internet: piles of sticks don't exist without photos.

I kid, I kid.

Happy for you that things are good to go!

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I'm glad it was something simple....and, more importantly not the grapple I kid a little too! hmmmmmmmmmmm....not really! :laughing:
Travis