Grappling fun - A Picture Thread....

TomSeller · Nov 27, 2015

IslandTractor said:
A big load of brush can easily interfere with vision when driving. When driving in a field, I tend to stop every hundred feet or so, raise the load, check what's ahead then lower and drive a bit more.

I often drive backwards with big loads, for the reason you mention plus so that any trailing limbs hanging down don't get under the wheels and pull the load out of the grapple.

TomSeller · Nov 27, 2015

EverythingAttachments said:
Like this?

certainly not in a good location to get it back upright.

Gordon Gould · Nov 27, 2015

streamin said:
yep, makes sense, thanks. so the only issue would be the constant switching back and forth. I can see where it would be nice to have dump/curl available all the time like setting a log on a mill or something. now to figure out the cost difference...

If you can do some basic plumbing you can add a diverter or third function valve yourself instead of buying an expensive kit.

I added a manual (vs electric) third function valve in 2011 for about $250 total. So I have one control for the FEL and one for the grapple. Both are active all the time and controllable with one hand.

Edit: Before I added the valve I ran the grapple off of one of the rear remotes which worked fine. But I wanted to free up the rear remote for a TnT cylinder.

gg

Degolyerent · Nov 27, 2015

TomSeller said:
I often drive backwards with big loads, for the reason you mention plus so that any trailing limbs hanging down don't get under the wheels and pull the load out of the grapple.

Same thing I do, a lot easier and safer

Jim Timber · Nov 27, 2015

Degolyerent said:
Same thing I do, a lot easier and safer

As long as you're not pulling over live, or worse, dead trees onto your head. I've done that a couple times hooking stuff with a wide load in reverse.

Even with 11gpm, I don't have enough flow to do two moves with any kind of speed unless I jack the throttle way up and even then it's not fast enough to think I'd be better off with a 3rd valve vs the diverter. We're talking tractors, not skidsteers that have ample flow for dynamic loader moves. True third function sounds great on paper, but the real world is another matter.

Piston · Nov 28, 2015

Gordon Gould said:
Before I added the valve I ran the grapple off of one of the rear remotes which worked fine. But I wanted to free up the rear remote for a TnT cylinder. gg

Good point Gordon. That would certainly be the number one disadvantage to using the the rear remote.

I added 4 rear remotes to my tractor thinking that way I would always have one extra, even if using top and tilt.
Now, I often have them all in use, and at times need to disconnect the side link to free up that port.
I could use 6 if I had them.

Threepoint · Nov 28, 2015

Just wanted to say that the discussion in posts 501 through 509 of the basic differences between electrically-activated diverter and true third-function setups was one of the clearest and most succinct I've seen. :thumbsup:

4570Man · Nov 28, 2015

Paul Thornton · Nov 28, 2015

Threepoint said:
Just wanted to say that the discussion in posts 501 through 509 of the basic differences between electrically-activated diverter and true third-function setups was one of the clearest and most succinct I've seen. :thumbsup:

I second this, it cleared it up for me.

Xfaxman · Nov 30, 2015

IslandTractor said:
Fine to lift that high when static but lower that load before moving. Hit a bad hole while moving and you could go over with the load that high.

A big load of brush can easily interfere with vision when driving. When driving in a field, I tend to stop every hundred feet or so, raise the load, check what's ahead then lower and drive a bit more.

TomSeller said:
I often drive backwards with big loads, for the reason you mention plus so that any trailing limbs hanging down don't get under the wheels and pull the load out of the grapple.

This reminds me of two advantages the V417 has, the fixed front axle is more stable with the load raised and I can extend the boom when brush is hanging close to the front wheels.

Tomtint · Nov 30, 2015

My WR Long valve kit showed up today. Hopefully I will have time this week to install it and get a grapple bucket to go with it for the weekend.

dragoneggs · Nov 30, 2015

Xfaxman said:
This reminds me of two advantages the V417 has, the fixed front axle is more stable with the load raised and I can extend the boom when brush is hanging close to the front wheels. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/448924-grappling-fun-picture-thread-p4140018-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/448925-grappling-fun-picture-thread-p3070029-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/448926-grappling-fun-picture-thread-p4080004-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/448927-grappling-fun-picture-thread-p4080008-jpg"/>

Again I submit Xfaxman should be banned for his posting of tractor ****.

JohnMacca · Nov 30, 2015

dragoneggs said:
Again I submit Xfaxman should be banned for his posting of tractor ****.

I agree

It just ain't fair that we all have to find a way to get around a problem like that, and all he has to do is pull on a lever and the problem goes away (about 10 feet away):laughing::laughing::laughing:

Xfaxman · Nov 30, 2015

dragoneggs said:
Again I submit Xfaxman should be banned for his posting of tractor ****.

Look at the thread title, what is more fun than tractor ****?

JohnMacca said:
I agree It just ain't fair that we all have to find a way to get around a problem like that, and all he has to do is pull on a lever and the problem goes away (about 10 feet away):laughing::laughing::laughing:

Now don't exaggerate, it only extends 5.5 feet. But that is usually plenty to not run over dragging branches.

If I am dragging something longer out to the side, I can set the rear wheels at an angle to offset the grapple farther away (to either side) from the front wheels.

MNBobcat · Nov 30, 2015

What happens when you try and pick up a tree that is too heavy.

Rustyiron · Nov 30, 2015

MNBobcat said:
What happens when you try and pick up a tree that is too heavy.

View attachment 448994

WHAT the ……..:laughing:
Is the front left tire of that machine on the ground? Looks like one of those "here, hold my beer and watch this" deals.

MNBobcat · Nov 30, 2015

Rustyiron said:
WHAT the ……..:laughing:
Is the front left tire of that machine on the ground? Looks like one of those "here, hold my beer and watch this" deals.

LOL! Yes, the front left tire is the only one on the ground. It was a huge tree and it was straddling a fence that I didn't want destroyed. I was trying to hold the tree in the air before I cut the limbs that were taking the weight of the tree. I was hoping the skid would keep the tree from dropping. Well, the tree was too heavy! LOL!