Grapple opens but it will not close

Smokeydog · May 31, 2021

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

bill9068 · May 31, 2021

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 · Jun 1, 2021

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 · Jun 1, 2021

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 · Jun 1, 2021

bill9068 said:
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 · Jun 1, 2021

Henry Island Guy said:
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 · Jun 1, 2021

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 · Jun 1, 2021

Air in system causing air lock?

ericm979 · Jun 1, 2021

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 · Jun 2, 2021

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.