Grapple Millonzi Grapple

[3RRL]

3RRL, How long did it take you to complete the installation of the electric solenoid kit? It looks from your posts that it took a while to first map out the hydraulic schema but how long did the installation take after you got that sorted out?

Island,
I took me quite a while to get everything I wanted mapped out. Then it took quite a while making everything I needed. Then it took me quite a while installing everything. I worked between doing stuff at my home and then bringing it to the property to mount.

The actual installation of the WR long valve itself might be a couple hours at the most. (for me) That is welding the mounting bracket and plumbing the hydraulics and the little electrical work. Considering I had never done anything like that before. With your set up, it should be faster and easier than mine. I had to make all the front end fittings etc. from scratch and I did not get a "kit", just the electric solenoid valve and button. The rest I had to figure out with help from Mad here.

 

[IslandTractor]

I took me quite a while ..... I had to make all the front end fittings etc. from scratch and I did not get a "kit", just the electric solenoid valve and button. The rest I had to figure out with help from Mad here.

Actually I would be in the same situation as I'd need to fabricate mounts/brackets etc too. That was one reason why I went the quick and dirty route of just using the rear remote to run the grapple. While that has been perfectly satisfactory to run the grapple, I will eventually get around to installing a diverter as I am increasingly finding myself using both the grapple and BH as a useful combination (e.g. digging out and removing stumps) and therefore I need them operational together.

 

[3RRL]

Actually I would be in the same situation as I'd need to fabricate mounts/brackets etc too. That was one reason why I went the quick and dirty route of just using the rear remote to run the grapple. While that has been perfectly satisfactory to run the grapple, I will eventually get around to installing a diverter as I am increasingly finding myself using both the grapple and BH as a useful combination (e.g. digging out and removing stumps) and therefore I need them operational together.

I hear you man, there's some work involved in that front plumbing set up. I didn't realize you ran your grapple off the rears. Probably missed your post about it. If it works for you, that's OK too. but like you said, if you need the rears to run the backhoe, like I do for my hydraulic boxblade, then it makes sense to go the diverter or even electric solenoid valve route. Especially with all the grapple work you do, from the photos you've posted. Also for anything else hydraulic you might consider on the front.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm clearing about 4 acres of overgrown field of trees and brush. In the beginning I was ripping out the brush with the grapple or bush hogging it. Then I cut trees and carted them off with the grapple. No need for two sets of remotes for either of those activities. Now however I am going back to dig out stumps and obviously I need to move them after digging. I've mostly just been digging them out and leaving them for later collection but there is no doubt it would be more convenient to be able to use grapple and BH on the same task without getting off the tractor to switch lines around.

 

[3RRL]

..... but there is no doubt it would be more convenient to be able to use grapple and BH on the same task without getting off the tractor to switch lines around
Man, are you right.
LOL ... I would go as far to say ANYTIME you have to get off the tractor is too many times. Several of my mods were exactly for that purpose ... to make adjustments from the seat. It's safer, more accurate and easier.

 

[IslandTractor]

..... but there is no doubt it would be more convenient to be able to use grapple and BH on the same task without getting off the tractor to switch lines around
Man, are you right.
LOL ... I would go as far to say ANYTIME you have to get off the tractor is too many times. Several of my mods were exactly for that purpose ... to make adjustments from the seat. It's safer, more accurate and easier.

Agree. Of course by the time I get around to actually installing a diverter valve I'll probably be finished with the land clearing project. In any case, there is no question that to run both the grapple and BH it would be far better to not need to leave the seat to switch the hydraulics. However, as a case in point, I have found it is possible to get a lot of work done simply by sequencing the tasks to minimize getting off the tractor. Dig six stumps, go to lunch, switch to grapple, clean up, switch back, dig more stumps etc. In a full day, I end up switching over only a couple of times and most switches are at convenient break times anyway. Still.....(what did you say WR Long's phone number was... )

 

[3RRL]

I agree as well ... where there is a will, there's a way.
What one man can ... another can do.

Still.....(what did you say WR Long's phone number was... )
He will ask what dealer you go through, as they don't sell direct to the public. I had my local Kubota dealer get it from him. They did not tack anything extra on the price.
Nelson V. Long
W.R.Long Inc.
Tarboro, NC
Office (252) 823-4570
Cell (252) 813-7825
NLong@wrlonginc.com

 

[flINTLOCK]

I have a good number of small trees up to 6 inches or so to remove to make food plot. If cut foot or so above the ground by chainsaw, will grapple likely allow me to come down over stump and rip it out?? Obviously, my TC40 with grapple is no track excavator, but thought it might be up to that task!!

 

[IslandTractor]

I have a good number of small trees up to 6 inches or so to remove to make food plot. If cut foot or so above the ground by chainsaw, will grapple likely allow me to come down over stump and rip it out?? Obviously, my TC40 with grapple is no track excavator, but thought it might be up to that task!!

The grapple can do it, the question is more whether your loader can do it. I've done this with smaller trees but never a six incher. I usually need to soften up the roots with the grapple before coming down over the stump to grasp it then curl to rip it free. It really depends on the size (power) of your loader.

 

[flINTLOCK]

Island tractor, that stump looks close to 6 inches. No? That is the "light" duty 48 inch grapple right?? I guess "light" duty is a relative term!!