Front-End Loader Questions on FEL Grapple

[mrfrosty]

When you purchase a grapple and install it on yuor fel. How do you control the grapple, what hyrdraulics do you hook it up and what do you use for controls?

 

[kennyd]

You can use a rear remote and run hoses(2) from the rear all the way up to the FEL, or you can get a electric diverter that basically splits the curl function of you FEL into two circuits, or finally you can get a 3rd function added to you FEL with a electric-over-hydraulic solenoid for control. Both the 3rd function and the diverter use a new handle on the joystick with a switch in it.

Do a search for these terms for hours of good reading:

diverter
WR Long
3rd function
grapple
4n1

 

[QRTRHRS]

Mine is set up with two hoses back to the rear hydraulics. Only problem I have, as I mentioned to kennyd in another thread, is with the quick disconnects up front.

The hoses are just held on with plastic ties. With no permanent mount, the quick disconnects are hard to handle, especially working alone. As kennyd suggested, I plan on fabbing up a bracket and moving the disconnects back to the loader valve body.

As for operating off the rear hydraulics, I have no major problems with it. I sometimes have to reach over with my left hand to work the loader while I close the grapple with my right but I can live with that for the "price of admission". IE; a couple of hoses and fittings.

 

[mrfrosty]

Ok thanks for the advice, has anyone seen the ones that are listed on ebay? They look pretty nice, and are a reasonable price.

 

[RonMar]

Well you might also get some other answers if you let us know what type machine it is going on. Some of the electric/hydraulic systems add a lot of plumbing and are fairly expensive once you add up all the additional hoses and fittings. They are also more complex to install.

In my case, having a 2 lever control valve, when I did my grapple, I replaced my 2 spool loader valve(prince 5200) with the same type valve with 3 spools(5300). Once I fabbed a mount plate for the new valve bolt pattern, it only took about 20 minutes to swap the valves, and required no additional plumbing except the 2 hoses between valve and grapple cylinders. The new valve cost about $250 in my case, and I got one with float, which my original 2 spool didn't have, so that was an added bonus. I also have the original 2 spool to use on another project...

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree that if you have rear remotes (or any potential use for a new set of remotes) that it is the most cost effective and perfectly efficient way to run a grapple. I had that set up on my CK20 and was very happy with it. There is rarely a time you need to have you hand on both the grapple control (remote) and FEL stick simultaneously.

I currently have a diverter valve simply because I got one used for free and had it installed after hearing that people here liked the diverter. For my money it is not worth whatever convenience factor is involved. I actually find it harder to accurately control the grapple with the diverter because if you have any pressure on the joystick when you release the diverter button after opening or closing the grapple, the grapple will inadvertently curl or dump. That is never an issue with the separate rear remote lever as you need to take your hand off the FEL joystick to operate it. Using the rear remote control, so long as that lever is reasonably convenient and near the FEL control) is as automatic as taking your hand off the steering wheel of your car and shifting the manual transmission. You will need to look where you are putting your hand for a few hours then it becomes automatic.

If I had to do it over I would need to think hard about whether to go with rear remotes (which are very nicely and conveniently set up on my DK40se) or to install an electric over hydraulic switch that would be nice but even more expensive than the diverter. I don't think I'd shell out for a new diverter unless the ergonomics of the FEL joystick and rear remote control lever just sucked (as in a dash mounted FEL control or oddly placed rear remote control).

 

[Westendorf-RR]

When you purchase a grapple and install it on yuor fel. How do you control the grapple, what hyrdraulics do you hook it up and what do you use for controls?

Depending on your grapple applications, this may be an alternative to plumbing in the added hydraulics. These fingers use your bucket cylinders, something you already have, to open and close the teeth.
Front-End Loaders by Westendorf: loader for tractor, shade canopy, wagons, manure & landscaping equipment.

 

[Bill Barrett]

Depending on your grapple applications, this may be an alternative to plumbing in the added hydraulics. These fingers use your bucket cylinders, something you already have, to open and close the teeth.
Front-End Loaders by Westendorf: loader for tractor, shade canopy, wagons, manure & landscaping equipment.

Thanks for the link, I emailed you guys.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I haven't used a diverter, but I do find using a rear remote to be exactly as Island tractor describes - painless, and easy, and requiring no thought after a few uses. Only downside is the zip tied hoses on the loader, but that's not the end of the world.

 

[dangerdoc]

When you purchase a grapple and install it on yuor fel. How do you control the grapple, what hyrdraulics do you hook it up and what do you use for controls?

My loader valve had a power beyond. Plumbed into that and mounted a single valve on the loader. I still have the joystick and the third function sits just up and to the left. Simple, inexpensive and worked out well.