Grapple opens but it will not close

[Henry Island Guy]

I have an LS grapple and I am using it with my Bobcat 2025 with a 3rd function Hydraulic connection. I've only used it a few times. I have disconnected it and connected it a few times without difficulty. Yesterday I had trouble connecting the hydraulic flush face hoses. I read about many ways to address this period I did bleed a little bit of hydraulic fluid from the line. This did not seem to correct the problem. I did retype in the connection. I decided to go home have a beer and try it today. When I went to connect the grapple today the hydraulic quick connects connected without difficulty. I went to use the grapple and the grapple opened with no difficulty but it would not close. I tried fiddling with the buttons and the Loader controls to no avail. The hydraulic lines do jump when I press the close button And the grapple closes about 1/2 an inch. Any thoughts?

 

[ptsg]

I would say that one of the quick disconnects is not fully seated and the poppet inside is acting like a check valve. Lets it open, but won't let it close. That's my theory anyway.

 

[Zebrafive]

Disconnect the couplers and reconnect, then try.

 

[oosik]

Lack of proper connection would be my guess also. Flat face connections can be a PITA.

 

[Henry Island Guy]

I tried pluging and unplugging a couple of times. When I have the close button pushed it will not close, but I can easily close it by hand with the button pressed. I can also easily open it....
Additionally, if I move it manually back and forth I can hear a fluid sloshing in it.

 

[Williy]

Are you low on fluid?

willy

 

[oosik]

"fluid sloshing". That's a new factor. Check that your hydraulic fluid is full.

 

[Tinhack]

There should be NO "sloshing". The cylinder(s) should be full of oil.

 

[Leejohn]

Make sure you are getting power to the valve coils!

 

[bdog]

You could remove the couplers from the hoses on the grapple and switch them and reconnect and then see if the grapple closes but won’t open. This would let you know if it is an issue with your grapple or the tractor.

 

[Smokeydog]

Possible one of the two solenoid valves has a problem. It allows flow to tank but not pressure flow to grapple.

 

[bill9068]

Turn your machine off, then turn key on but don’t start. Relieve pressure on your front remotes by pressing your buttons. Restart tractor and try remotes.

 

[Henry Island Guy]

Thanks to all. The hydraulic oil is/was full. I did activate the solenoid with the key on, engine off. I have switched the connects. Unfortunately, they are different (male/female) I will need to make jumpers to do this.....kind a pricey. I agree, the sloshing (or maybe squishing) is not a good sign. The tractor is on a remote island and I will not be back until next weekend. I will call the dealer I bought it from and see what they have to say and report back.

Thanks

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Bobcat. Raise cab, two solenoids on pass side. Swap locations. Should work opposite of how it works now. Buy a solenoid. Check ohm value of new one and match it to one of yours. One is bad.

 

[woody]

Turn your machine off, then turn key on but don’t start. Relieve pressure on your front remotes by pressing your buttons. Restart tractor and try remotes.

when you did this did you hear the valve making a noise like it was moving? do you connect your hoses together when not on the tractor this helps keep dirt off your connectors and out of your system. mine was doing similar to yours and when I took the valve apart and cleaned it good I found nothing but I noticed the spool piece was not lined up correctly when I first looked in it, but once it was cleaned and put back together it did line up so I reinstalled it on the tractor and it has been working ever since. just a small piece of dirt can be a problem.

 

[Zebrafive]

Thanks to all. The hydraulic oil is/was full. I did activate the solenoid with the key on, engine off. I have switched the connects. Unfortunately, they are different (male/female) I will need to make jumpers to do this.....kind a pricey. I agree, the sloshing (or maybe squishing) is not a good sign. The tractor is on a remote island and I will not be back until next weekend. I will call the dealer I bought it from and see what they have to say and report back.

Thanks

Rather than make "jumpers" can you swap the couplers on the hoses to the grapple?

 

[Smokeydog]

Could be electrical. Wiring, connection, switch or coil on the solenoid valve. Most likely. Do the easy stuff first. Checking for power. Swap leads to solenoids to check for a bad coil.

Could be mechanical operations of valve via the coil.

Have not had quick disconnect fail that blocked flow but guess that could happen?

 

[cwbyeng1300]

Air in system causing air lock?

 

[ericm979]

Air in the lines would just cause the lids to be delayed. The OP has used it a few times, so any significant air would have been pushed out already.

The "sloshing" could be the sound of oil moving through the lines or going into the tank (transmission). I can hear that sometimes when the tractor engine is off and I operate a valve to let something down.

I agree that reversing the lines will be a good check to see if it's the valve or the implement. If you can move the lids by hand I'd guess that the valve is stuck.

 

[Henry Island Guy]

To be more specific, I can only move the grapple by hand when I have the Close button pressed. If it is not pressed, it does not move. I assume this means that the Solenoid is opening when I press it. I can also hear it click open. I spoke with my grapple dealer (Micah, Town and Country Tractor in Monroe, WA). He said this happened to him once when one his rear hydraulic gear levers were slightly engaged. My lack of understanding of the hydraulic circuit on my tractor makes it a bit hard to understand why this would happen, but I hope this is the problem, certainly will be the easiest fix. I realize now I can reverse the lines where they separate at the loader tractor junction easily. I will try that next. That should also tell me if the solenoids are working. I will be at the tractor on Monday and will check it out and report back. Again, thanks for all the feedback.