Landpride grapple for SCUT?

[lowellw2]

I have not wired the valve/joystick yet. It was 20F this am and got all the way up to 32F. The best I managed was to take those pictures and locate the connectors for the wiring. I did find one of those small 12v gate opener batteries from a neighbor and jumped the positive to the reds and confirmed the valve clicks open/closed to allow flow when either the the white or black is jumped to the negative. My conclusion is that your wiring assumption has to be correct (LP's instructions need to be revised to include this info). From the sound it seemed it was a momentary type switch as it sounded like it clicked with power and then clicked as power was removed. That should be fine. I think I might get it wired this weekend and will post a picture actually picking something up but I'll keep my fingers crossed till the thing actually works.

 

[CHDinCT]

Aren't the connectors you need just 1/2 inch AG's? You can get them and the dust caps at Tractor supply if you have one nearby. I am sure there are also hydraulic supply houses that would have them too.

Yes, I'm sure I can source the QC's locally, but then I'd have to pay for them on top of the cost of the grapple, which was suppose to come with them. The dust caps I'll have to buy locally, and I will check out TSC since they just opened a new store about 20 minutes away from me.

 

[CHDinCT]

I have not wired the valve/joystick yet. It was 20F this am and got all the way up to 32F. The best I managed was to take those pictures and locate the connectors for the wiring. I did find one of those small 12v gate opener batteries from a neighbor and jumped the positive to the reds and confirmed the valve clicks open/closed to allow flow when either the the white or black is jumped to the negative. My conclusion is that your wiring assumption has to be correct (LP's instructions need to be revised to include this info). From the sound it seemed it was a momentary type switch as it sounded like it clicked with power and then clicked as power was removed. That should be fine. I think I might get it wired this weekend and will post a picture actually picking something up but I'll keep my fingers crossed till the thing actually works.

Lowellw2 - your post got me thinking, why didn't I try the same thing? I could check to see if those red buttons are operational since I have the valve wired. Just need to check them with the engine off. I guess we won't know which button works which direction on the grapple (open or close) until we try it. I figure if I want to reverse the button's functions, I'll just reverse the connections for the black and white wires coming from the valve. I know I could reverse the hoses as well. At least that's my thinking for now.

Hope youre weather improves enough to try our your grapple. Here's what I was doing yesterday - restocking firewood into my attached screened porch. I can put about 2 cords in there. Used about a cord and a half in January alone. Bad winter.

 

[lowellw2]

CHDinCT
That's a lot of burning. I like a good fire in the fireplace but didn't even put one in my home here. Do you cut and split it also. That's fun work. I see a ladder on the left side also. If that for snow removal on the roof or for unloading your hard work. I only ask because I have grown to hate being anywhere near a ladder. I've never fallen but just have developed an aversion. I was going to hard splice my wires at first but the idea of switching the wires makes a lot of sense. I'm still worried a little about the clearance between the reversed valve assembly and the FEL stanchion or whatever it's called. However, I cannot see how it can move. I will have to be very careful when attaching the loader though although I cannot remember it being off more than once. It's my wheelbarrow. A lot of schools and businesses are closed or opening late today around Austin. However, it's only been a little cold. If a snowflake fell the whole place would close. If a road gets a little slippery it's like circus of clowns sorry to say so erring on the cautious side is prudent.

 

[CHDinCT]

CHDinCT
That's a lot of burning. I like a good fire in the fireplace but didn't even put one in my home here. Do you cut and split it also. That's fun work. I see a ladder on the left side also. If that for snow removal on the roof or for unloading your hard work. I only ask because I have grown to hate being anywhere near a ladder. I've never fallen but just have developed an aversion. I was going to hard splice my wires at first but the idea of switching the wires makes a lot of sense. I'm still worried a little about the clearance between the reversed valve assembly and the FEL stanchion or whatever it's called. However, I cannot see how it can move. I will have to be very careful when attaching the loader though although I cannot remember it being off more than once. It's my wheelbarrow. A lot of schools and businesses are closed or opening late today around Austin. However, it's only been a little cold. If a snowflake fell the whole place would close. If a road gets a little slippery it's like circus of clowns sorry to say so erring on the cautious side is prudent.

Yes, I cut and split most of it, but have bought a cord here or there when I didn't think I'd have enough to get through the winter. Probably use about 5 cords this year. And yes again, that ladder to the left in the pic was to get on the roof to clear off snow. Back in 2010 we had about 4' of snow in January and it was cold, so very little of it melted. Ended up with ice damns and water coming into the house where the roof meets the wall. We have since installed the water and ice barrier a ways up the roof, but I still don't trust it, plus I start to see nail pops in the ceiling when the weight adds up. Fun, fun fun.

Stopped at TSC but no luck on dust caps. They only had them for 1/2" couplers, not our small 1/4 inch'ers. Back to Dependable Hydraulics where I was on Tuesday and I got the dust caps there. While I was there I checked on the male QC's I need and they don't have them. So, I'm stuck waiting, and waiting, and waiting on LP to get me them.

And yes again on being careful mounting the FEL. Got to watch that right stanchion as it comes down on the FEL mount to make sure it doesn't pinch one of the grapple hoses. If you turn your valve at a 45* setting relative to the side of the tractor, you should gain a little more room, assuming you have room to angle it.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Stopped at TSC but no luck on dust caps. They only had them for 1/2" couplers, not our small 1/4 inch'ers. Back to Dependable Hydraulics where I was on Tuesday and I got the dust caps there. While I was there I checked on the male QC's I need and they don't have them. So, I'm stuck waiting, and waiting, and waiting on LP to get me them.

Your discussion on the dust caps got me thinking. I have some additional hydraulic ports and valves in the planning stage. I have been wondering if there is a system to the colors? My dealers shop says they never thought of that as it is not covered in the shop manual. BTW my BX has standard Parker brand QDs. My local hydraulic shop only stocks white dust caps for the Parker QDs. They have to order other colors and they cost more plus paying the shipping cost. I guess the make more white ones hence the added cost.

Your blow by blow on that LP grapple has been most interesting, thanks for all the effort to put it in print. As I mentioned previously it is far out of my budget so, make my own, is still on the burner.

Ron

 

[lowellw2]

OK Ron and Chris. I'm going to ask a dumb question here. I went up on the Parker site and found the dust caps in their catalog. My question is how does one confidently know the proper size. The hydraulic hose on this LP grapple is 3/8ths. Chris you mention we have 1/4 couplers. It seems even the Parker connectors for 3/8th, as an example. have two different sizes available. Since I cannot carry one into my hydraulic shop i would like to make just one trip. Selfish of me I know. I guess I could use my calipers and measure the OD of the male QD.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

OK Ron and Chris. I'm going to ask a dumb question here. I went up on the Parker site and found the dust caps in their catalog. My question is how does one confidently know the proper size. The hydraulic hose on this LP grapple is 3/8ths. Chris you mention we have 1/4 couplers. It seems even the Parker connectors for 3/8th, as an example. have two different sizes available. Since I cannot carry one into my hydraulic shop i would like to make just one trip. Selfish of me I know. I guess I could use my calipers and measure the OD of the male QD.

Lowell,

The connectors are not by hose size but by pipe thread size. My BX is all 3/8 pipe, tubing, and hose. Standard 3/8 made up hoses comes with 3/8 pipe ends. 3/8 has a flow capacity of 6 GPM which matches the BX power supply capability. I am sure this is right but maybe someone else like JJ will chime in if it is different. The Parker fittings have the model # stamped in the side.

Here is the link to the Parker catalog, the technical section is a "must have" for you guys doing your own work or checking up on what your dealer shop may have screwed up. Those guys may be good mechanics but a little short of being hydraulic experts. There are some fittings that take the place of several that will save space, joints that can leak, or help get things out of the way. Any place you can use tubing rather than hose it can be a plus as it is cheaper and more durable.

http://www.parker.com/literature/Hose%20Products%20Division/Catalog%204400%20PDF%20Files/Section_B_Fittings.pdf

Ron

 

[CHDinCT]

OK Ron and Chris. I'm going to ask a dumb question here. I went up on the Parker site and found the dust caps in their catalog. My question is how does one confidently know the proper size. The hydraulic hose on this LP grapple is 3/8ths. Chris you mention we have 1/4 couplers. It seems even the Parker connectors for 3/8th, as an example. have two different sizes available. Since I cannot carry one into my hydraulic shop i would like to make just one trip. Selfish of me I know. I guess I could use my calipers and measure the OD of the male QD.

The hoses clearly state 3/8" but the openning in the QC's I think are 1/4". I base that on when Chappell tractor was going to find me some male QC's from their inventory somewhere. I read the numbers off of the female QC's to them and he spec'd it as O-ring seal 1/4" if I recall correctly. There is meaning in those numbers so try writing them down and doing a search. I think the number 6 in the info cannoted 1/4". Don't confuse the 1/4" with the thread sizes. I think the thread size is different, but should also be contained in the number.

 

[CHDinCT]

Stopped at TSC but no luck on dust caps. They only had them for 1/2" couplers, not our small 1/4 inch'ers. Back to Dependable Hydraulics where I was on Tuesday and I got the dust caps there. While I was there I checked on the male QC's I need and they don't have them. So, I'm stuck waiting, and waiting, and waiting on LP to get me them.

Your discussion on the dust caps got me thinking. I have some additional hydraulic ports and valves in the planning stage. I have been wondering if there is a system to the colors? My dealers shop says they never thought of that as it is not covered in the shop manual. BTW my BX has standard Parker brand QDs. My local hydraulic shop only stocks white dust caps for the Parker QDs. They have to order other colors and they cost more plus paying the shipping cost. I guess the make more white ones hence the added cost.

Ron

Interesting. I doubt the colors count for anything as far as an industry standard. I've bought quite a few over the years and have received about every color cap. As far as color coding the connections, years ago I bought some colored electrical tape and just put a turn or two of colored tape around the end of each hose to know which went where. I will do the same with the grapple connections once it's all set up.