Hydraulic quick connect issues...

hunt4570 · May 7, 2015

Ok, so I replaced a 4n1 bucket with a grapple a while back. But when I did the quick connects were sized wrong to work together. I swaped them out, tractor side and grapple side with the standard 1/2 connects... new ones. The problem I'm having is sometimes its almost impossible to slide the sleeves forward enough to lock them on. I actually had to get a little hammer yesterday to persuade it to go all the way on. Am I doing something wrong or is there a fix for this.

I put this in the attachment section, cause ,well, its for an attachment.

DennisFolsom · May 7, 2015

Was there hydraulic pressure on them? Mine work much harder if there is any pressure.

Raincoast · May 8, 2015

I can usually get my connectors together without too much hassle. One will normally go quite easily. The other, I pry the grapple lid open a pit with a length of 2X4 & she slips together fine.
I have to pry with my foot, while both hands are busy with the connector.
It can be a real bear if the ambient temp has risen a lot since the grapple was removed.

phiferpharm · May 8, 2015

Use something to release the pressure on both sides of the coupler (I use a spare top-link pin). Push the balls in/on the connectors in with something (cover with a cloth to keep the fluid off you and everything else). My grapple builds up line pressure even sitting unconnected.

Greenland South · May 8, 2015

phiferpharm said:
Use something to release the pressure on both sides of the coupler (I use a spare top-link pin). Push the balls in/on the connectors in with something (cover with a cloth to keep the fluid off you and everything else). My grapple builds up line pressure even sitting unconnected.

Thank you thank you thank you. I was loosing my mind over this.

hunt4570 · May 8, 2015

phiferpharm said:
Use something to release the pressure on both sides of the coupler (I use a spare top-link pin). Push the balls in/on the connectors in with something (cover with a cloth to keep the fluid off you and everything else). My grapple builds up line pressure even sitting unconnected.

I did this the other day (soaked my gloves in hydraulic fluid) It seemed to fix the male connector coming off the grapple, but not the one coming from the tractor. Seems like the tractor side one just kept throwing fluid. Yes, tractor off and I released pressure at the control.. or so I thought any way.

I'll pay more attention to it when I hook it up again..

Thanks for the replies..

flusher · May 8, 2015

You need to release the pressure on the female side of the QD. I work the control valve lever back and forth a few times. Then I use the head of a 5/16" x 4" long bolt to press on the ball valve in the female side of the QD to release any residual pressure. Then the QD goes together with no problem.

Good luck.

hunt4570 · May 8, 2015

flusher said:
You need to release the pressure on the female side of the QD. I work the control valve lever back and forth a few times. Then I use the head of a 5/16" x 4" long bolt to press on the ball valve in the female side of the QD to release any residual pressure. Then the QD goes together with no problem.

Good luck.

Thanks, I too work the lever back and forth(well button in this case) I'll try relieving pressure on the female side too. ((that statement will come back to haunt me I'm sure:laughing

)

jcummins · May 8, 2015

As another poster said here... My grapple builds pressure up sitting unattached. I've had to unscrew the quick connect 3 times now. No amount of pounding on the exposed ball would relieve it. I've got to come up with a better idea... I'm all ears on this thread.

1gr8bldr · May 8, 2015

I keep a wrench handy and whichever is easier to get to, I loosen slightly to relieve pressure. This for my machine is not at the skidsteer but rather easier at the attachment where it goes into the hydraulic ram. It barely looses any fluid this way, You don't have to let it bleed, just open enough and close back when the pressure is broken. It does happen once in awhile

JRL305 · May 9, 2015

Mine is set up with one male and one female on the grapple and on the tractor. I simply plug the ends together when I take it off. My problem has been solved.

hunt4570 · May 9, 2015

Well I'm kinda glad to hear I'm not the only one with this problem, thought I was just being stupid.:confused2:

hunt4570 · May 9, 2015

JRL305 said:
Mine is set up with one male and one female on the grapple and on the tractor. I simply plug the ends together when I take it off. My problem has been solved.

Pretty sure they are all that way.seems they would have to be. And I do the same, hooking them together when I take the grapple off, and still have the problem.

whis · May 9, 2015

make sure pressure is released before unhooking

jcummins · May 9, 2015

whis said:
make sure pressure is released before unhooking

I do... And sure many here do. But my grapple builds pressure sitting there unattached.

bumperm · May 10, 2015

They do sell "connect under pressure" quick couplers. Haven't used them myself, I just make sure to relieve pressure before disconnecting hoe etc.

Apsterbobed · May 10, 2015

I have flat face on my grapple because I share attachments with a skid steer and it's a a pain to release fluid compared to the ball style. I also plug the lines together and it helps but the fluid changes volume with temperature, so don't take it off early morning and leave it in the sun. I try to stick it in the garage because the concrete keeps it cooler in there otherwise I find a shady spot. I was using it for fire wood last fall until the snow got too deep, I just put it back on and had to crack a fitting relive pressure. If I didn't share with a skid steer I would try the connect under pressure. I hate that the ag fittings on the back dribble but it's much ease to release preasure than on the flat face.

Fallon · May 12, 2015

Make sure the cylinder isn't fully retracted or extended before parking. That way it minimizes the ability to exert force when it warms up a bit.

Industrial Toys · May 12, 2015

Temperature change can play heck with the couplers!

Recently I have been connecting my two ends when not in use, but that doesn't seem to help anything, just keeps them a bit cleaner.

I have never found that trying to manually open the grapple helps the situation. Even getting one side connected and then playing with the operating valve doesn't do any good. Kind of defies my expectations of how things SHOULD work. Only the messy operation of cracking a line with the resulting soaked glove sometimes gets you back in business. I am dealling with flat faced connectors and they have to be the worst!

msmith · May 12, 2015

jcummins said:
I do... And sure many here do. But my grapple builds pressure sitting there unattached.

Are you shutting the tractor off before relieving the pressure?

Generally, I shut the tractor off, relieve pressure on my attachment, then unhook. To hook up, I shut the tractor off, relieve pressure on the hydro system by working the levers, then hook up. Doing this, I normally don't have problems.