Newbie here. I have been cleaning up my property with a Gator LD Grapple. I ran 3/8 hose from the back SVCs to the front of loader to quick disconnect the Pioneer connectors from the Grapple when not in use. I recently went to connect the Gator and had a male Pioneer that would not connect. I must have been under extreme pressure because the grapple was closed and the ball portion of the connector would not budge. I had to put it a vise and close down on it. When it released, hydrulic fluid exploded out and into my face! What is the correct way to relieve pressure off a male Pioneer?
Grapple Stuck Pioneer Connector
- Thread starter secolvin
- Start date
- Views: 3093
Craig Clayton
Platinum Member
You put a clean cloth over the end of the connector so you do not get a face full of oil, besides it is not great tasting.
Craig Clayton
Craig Clayton
Zebrafive
Super Member
Wrap a rag around the coupler then push the ball against a hard surface. Or loosen the coupler from the hose with two wrenches. This a very common problem, hydraulic fluid expands and coupler will not budge.
wedge40
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2007
- Messages
- 2,196
Cool. I'm not the only one this has happened too. 
And you wont be the last. I've gotten spayed when I was too lazy or in hurry to get something to wrap the connector with. I'm lucky that the few times this has happened the tractor and fluid were cold.
Wedge
And you wont be the last. I've gotten spayed when I was too lazy or in hurry to get something to wrap the connector with. I'm lucky that the few times this has happened the tractor and fluid were cold.
Wedge
I don't know if this is how it should be done but... when I disconnect my grapple. I shut down the tractor and move the joysticks in every which directions to make sure there is no pressure in the system, then I unhook the connections.
Craig Clayton
Platinum Member
To teg
Here is the no win on a tightly sealed QD implement. If you unload the pressure of the implement say in the cool weather and the next time you connect on to it is hot ( like summer ) then you can have pressure built up in the implement.
CraigClayton
Here is the no win on a tightly sealed QD implement. If you unload the pressure of the implement say in the cool weather and the next time you connect on to it is hot ( like summer ) then you can have pressure built up in the implement.
CraigClayton
Next time I disconnect, I am going to leave the grapple open and see if this relieves pressure from that line. I am thinking since the grapple was clamped shut, the outgoing line was fully pressured ... then I disconnected it and paid the price next time I went to connect it. Thanks to all.
mikim
Veteran Member
It's still gonna happen sometimes. I use the rag bit then hit it with a hammer.
JoeL4330
Platinum Member
good luck, but you have it just backwards...the tines will want to close, due to gravity and that will pressurize the lines so you will have to keep releasing the pressure, hammer-tap by hammer-tap (face-full by face-full) until the grapple is closed fully ...or, you could block the tines or jack the tines up.
safety glasses are a good idea ...hydro fluid is bad stuff.
I am guessing that your grapple was not (not) fully closed when you disconnected and then "closed itself" some due to gravity which generated the pressure that made connection difficult. If you want to analyze this next time it happens, use some mechanical advantage to offset gravity on the tines (bottle jack, long lever w. friend) and see if that relieves the pressure (as I predict) ...then you'll know and can let other reader know.
kennyd
Advertiser
Leaving it open will only hurt the situation since the weight of the grapple arm will be applying pressure due to the leverage on the cylinder. Just do as mentioned above-wrap a rag over the end and press against a hard surface or loosen with two wrenches. This is a very common problem and these are the best solutions.