Wicked Root Grapple Adjustment

[gwood86]

Hello everyone, first post but I have been reading on this forum for quite some time and have learned a lot. I have the single lid root grapple and love it. I have used it for everything from stumps, large rocks, brush, and maybe some things I shouldn't use it for. However, it has been a real bull and done everything I've asked. However, just recently the lid has stopped closing all the way. It now comes to a hard stop leaving a 6 inch gap between the teeth of the lid and the bottom of the grapple. It has always shut tight enough to pick up a piece of paper if I wanted to. The only thing I can think of is the hydraulic cylinder somehow is bottoming out too soon and needs some kind of adjustment. I don't know much about hydraulics. Any suggestions on the fix for this?

Thank you.

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN,
I would first unpin and remove the cylinder then cycle the lid manually to see if it's binding somewhere. There is no "adjustment" on the cylinder, so if it the lid moves easily and fully closes most likely you'll need a new one.

 

[Xfaxman]

Some have adjustable cylinders, but probably not that much.

Need the model number and pictures please.

 

[lennyzx11]

Mine did it. Travis will probably be pm ing you when he reads this. He did me.
The cylinder sometimes come from the manufacturer with the adjustment a little bit off on the rod/clevis. The bolt underneath needs loosened and the clevis unscrewed a turn or two making the rod longer.
Careful. A little goes a long ways! One revolution at a time.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Might look real close at your cylinder mounts (bent/cracked?) and then and then maybe lay a straightedge on the extended rods. :2cents:

 

[kennyd]

Mine did it. Travis will probably be pm ing you when he reads this. He did me.
The cylinder sometimes come from the manufacturer with the adjustment a little bit off on the rod/clevis. The bolt underneath needs loosened and the clevis unscrewed a turn or two making the rod longer.
Careful. A little goes a long ways! One revolution at a time.

Yours moved after working fine at first like the OP's? That could only happen if the threads are stripped right? He wrote that he could "pick up a piece of paper" at first and now its closing 6" short.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Some have actually skipped threads. A couple have had oops and compromised the cylinder mounts.
Yesterday when I saw the post, I requested some pics from gwood86. We'll get to the bottom of it quickly!
Travis

 

[lennyzx11]

Yours moved after working fine at first like the OP's? That could only happen if the threads are stripped right? He wrote that he could "pick up a piece of paper" at first and now its closing 6" short.

It worked fine at first also. It was right after I got it that the adjustment was needed. Never had to touch it again so far.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

It worked fine at first also. It was right after I got it that the adjustment was needed. Never had to touch it again so far.

Just like we planned it, lenny.
I think some of those clevises are barely loose enough to allow the rod to gradually slip out a little. The guys are supposed to check them, but you know how that can be!
Travis