Relieving Hydraulic pressure on Third function implements prior to disconnecting the lines.

[Aquamoose]

Cant figure out why the attachments are not showing but they all were showing closeups of the couplers in the coupling process.

I still like them because it wouldn’t matter if the lines were pressurized and I didn’t have to worry about relieving pressure or keeping it in the shade, carrying around a valve cracker, etc. it unhooks & hooks up regardless of any conditions.

 

[fried1765]

I used to share your frustrations and have done something similar by opening the grapple wide and placed it face down before disconnecting. (Mind is a root grapple, no long bottom tines) I still had issues so I searched for a solution & found these. Got a few & never could be more happy to have them!

1/4" 10,000 PSI High Pressure Hydraulic Quick Coupler Set

1/4" 10,000 PSI High Pressure Hydraulic Quick Coupler Set - FREE SHIPPING

summit-hydraulics.com

View attachment 692892

View attachment 692893

View attachment 692894

View attachment 692895

View attachment 692896

Images shows mating sequence. In the third & fourth image, the nipples of the couplers have not been depressed yet.

If you want to know how well they work under pressure, take a look at the short video.

They basically work by allowing the couplers to “pre-mate” before the tips are depressed. The sleeve on the female end would slide up and engage the threads on the male end. Tightening it by hand would pull the couplers together regardless of the pressure on the lines.

"you do not have permission to view this page"....for all 5 of the attachments above!

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Thanks fore this post!! I knew there was a method to the madness!!

 

[Porchfan]

My grapple is a root type as well (EA wicked root) and I try to lay it down so it won’t move when I relive the pressure and disconnect everything. I do lose a little fluid on each disconnect but that’s ok. I check my fluids regularly. I have two tractors and only use the grapple on my B2650. On my Bx2380, I USE a similar method to relive pressure on the loader (tractor Off, ignition on, toggle loader stick and 3pt) when removing or attaching the loader. When cutting grass, the loader is off. This method of reliving the pressure
helps big time on that tractor. . There were times when it was really hard getting the loader on and off before I did that. Especially hard getting it on. I bought the Bx last summer and I was pissed Quite a few times removing and Connecting back up the loader. I seriously Questioned my buying the damn thing. (Still
do sort of-lol) The hydraulic line connections on my BX is the 4 in one easy off type. Those include 4 flat connectors. I like it now that I’ve got a good process to disconnect those lines. Prior to that, it was the most
Disliked thing I had about my Bx.

 

[TractorTYMe]

Porchfan, I've used that method since day 1 of owning a grapple, I figured it out early since the valve is electric solenoid operated.

 

[TractorGuy]

My setup just has a diverter to route the curl function to the grapple. I always move my SCV control in all 4 directions with the engine off and also side to side with the diverter solenoid activated to equalize the pressure. I do this before I connect OR disconnect the grapple lines. On the grapple end in the summertime it will still build pressure in the lines from heat and be difficult but I've never had to do anything other than apply a little more pressure to overcome and connect.

 

[Tony H]

I've been fighting this problem with the flat faces couplers on my 4 in 1. My problem is when I try to hook the 4 in 1 up.

I've had a bunch of folks tell me it's pressure built up in the 4 in 1 lines, not the tractor.

I thought i'd figured it out too using your method but in my case, isn't fool proof.

In my case, if i want to use the 4 in 1 that day and it's not attached yet, i attach it first thing in the morning, before walking the dogs.

I guess there is less pressure in the 4 in 1 due to lower temps?

There are solutions out there for sale, some kinda isolation valves.

One day, i'm afraid i'm gonna need the 4 in 1 for an emergency and i won't be able to hook it up

I have made a valve with male and female connectors. When I take the 4:1 bucket off I first make sure the jaw is open a bit so fluid expansion in the system may cause the jaws to close a bit but not fully. That keeps the pressure down a bit. I also connect both my bucket hoses to my valve. If I quick attach the bucket then open the valve I made into a coffee can a quick squirt and I can easily connect to tractor. Yes, always turn off tractor and try to take pressure off tractor system. Sometimes with key ON without starting have someone push button or lever for 3rd function as you connect the flush face connectors. I have also found that on my tractor, if I connect the male connector from the bucket first, it let's me connect the other one easier. Bottom line is these 'dripless' connectors are a bear to connect. Brass fitting is the valve that open to release pressure.

 

[Martin Roper]

So for a good while I never really liked connecting up or disconnecting the third function lines to my grapple due to the hydraulic pressure contained in the lines of the implement. For me I use a grapple on my tractor quite a bit. After experimenting around I found the best thing that worked for me it to do the following:
1-put the grapple on the ground in the manner in which you want them to stay
2-turn off the tractor
3- then turn the key on so the ignition and other electrical accessories including the valve that controls the fluid to the third lines BUT do not start the tractor.
4- then toggle the two buttons that control the third function lines
5- then turn off the ignition and disconnect the lines.
6) then connect up the lines together if you can.
7) lastly disconnect the implement from your loader or 3pt trying to make sure the implement cylinders don’t retract or expand.

What I have found is When you toggled the buttons while the pump is off but voltage is on the valve, the pressure in the lines will feed back up to the main system from your implement lines reducing any residual pressure that was in them . This makes it really easy to disconnect the lines- and to reconnect them later. I usually hear a little bump of psi relief when I do this. I then connected the lines of the implement together to keep dirt out. ( my grapple has male and female couplers.

Over the past month I have used this method with success each time. Prior to doing it this way, I’d say more than 50% of the time I would struggle to get them off and especially back on.
If you all have any comments, I’d like to hear them.
- Cheers

The spool valves we have on our fords have a dump or float position so if that is selected and then operate the third function it removes the pressure, hopefully. What I would like to find is an inline dump valve to release the pressure with out having to crack the lines as we have to on our 360 digger attachments.

 

[JCoastie]

does it matter if the FEL and rear implement are raised? If they are not on the ground unloaded, will there still be pressure on the 3rd function valve with the tractor off?

 

[Aquamoose]

does it matter if the FEL and rear implement are raised? If they are not on the ground unloaded, will there still be pressure on the 3rd function valve with the tractor off?

No difference.