The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

[Kioti Tom]

quote: I don't know what type of connectors you guys use on your grapple cylinders. However, I would be careful about tightening JIC type connectors as they are easy to break with too much tightening force. Wrist tighten at most works for me. I split one when putting my whole arm into tightening. I think the JIC type connectors are made of different gauge or softer metal than SAE connectors and neither require nor tolerate as much torque when tightening. unquote

As Island Tractor mentioned JIC fittings above. The JIC fittings are similar to aviation AN and MS fittings. The rule of thumb with them is finger tight and then 1 flat of the nut. (1/6 th turn).
This is usually more than enough to stop any leaking when installing. Aluminium and steel are what they are made of..for aircraft.

Tom

 

[Case tractor girl]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will check it first thing tomorrow morning and see what I find. I posted to this thread because it is a Wicked root grapple that I purchased and was hoping to get a suggestion from EA.. Thanks Travis. My co-worker gave me all the horror stories today about checking hydrolic fluid under pressure so definitely hands off and piece of paper on. I did check the hydrolic reservoir immediately after stopping the tractor and it does show to comfortably be within spec so that's out. So let the troubleshooting begin.. grrr... and I was having sooo much fun with this new toy. Passed up a free dinner to continue moving burn piles...

Terri

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will check it first thing tomorrow morning and see what I find. I posted to this thread because it is a Wicked root grapple that I purchased and was hoping to get a suggestion from EA.. Thanks Travis. My co-worker gave me all the horror stories today about checking hydrolic fluid under pressure so definitely hands off and piece of paper on. I did check the hydrolic reservoir immediately after stopping the tractor and it does show to comfortably be within spec so that's out. So let the troubleshooting begin.. grrr... and I was having sooo much fun with this new toy. Passed up a free dinner to continue moving burn piles...

Terri

Good luck! Keep us posted.

Grappling in lieu of free food? I'd probably make the same choice!

 

[IslandTractor]

quote: I don't know what type of connectors you guys use on your grapple cylinders. However, I would be careful about tightening JIC type connectors as they are easy to break with too much tightening force. Wrist tighten at most works for me. I split one when putting my whole arm into tightening. I think the JIC type connectors are made of different gauge or softer metal than SAE connectors and neither require nor tolerate as much torque when tightening. unquote

As Island Tractor mentioned JIC fittings above. The JIC fittings are similar to aviation AN and MS fittings. The rule of thumb with them is finger tight and then 1 flat of the nut. (1/6 th turn).
This is usually more than enough to stop any leaking when installing. Aluminium and steel are what they are made of..for aircraft.

Tom

That is a useful rule of thumb. It is so easy to overtighten JIC fittings and such a mess when you do.

 

[BGigHarbor]

Don't blindly feel around for hydraulic leaks while someone else holds the pressure on. Don't. Don't. Don't.

If you know why I said that, then feel free to "inspect" as jmc said above, being careful and wise and not interpreting "inspect" as "blindly feel around."

Sorry if I've missed target with this warning message, but it ought to be said.

xtn

I had a few leaks on my new tractor and grapple and I found it helpful to hose off the tractor well and then let dry overnight. Then work the hydraulics in questions and the fresh oil showed up easily for a while until the tractor got dirty again. Luckily for me my leaks were straightforward to fix.

 

[Case tractor girl]

Okay, I believe I found the problem.. The hydrolic lines attached to the cylinders were very loose as in a few turns and they would have fallen off. I tightened them up real snug and haven't seen a leak since. I love easy fixes.. Haven't had an opportunity to move any more burn piles due to work and over 5" of rain falling here in about an hour the other night so I'm not sure about the lifting of the grapple yet under load. I did check the level of the fluid again and it was low so I filled it up. Hopefully get out here today and see what it does. That is if I can get this quick connect attached and onto an implement I want on the back end... Thanks for all the advice from everybody...

 

[IslandTractor]

It's always nice to find a simple answer to a problem.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Glad you figured it out!

 

[BGigHarbor]

Yesterday I noticed the same lid on my EA 60 grapple was not closing all the way again - the cylinder won't go out to the end of it's travel again.

EA said to adjust the cylinder rod out again to let the lid close so I did. If it the cylinder rod throw gets shorter again, we'll deal with it then.

 

[TomSeller]

Yesterday I noticed the same lid on my EA 60 grapple was not closing all the way again - the cylinder won't go out to the end of it's travel again.

EA said to adjust the cylinder rod out again to let the lid close so I did. If it the cylinder rod throw gets shorter again, we'll deal with it then.

I am forgetting, You threaded the clevis out on the end of the rod last time? Was there a lock nut or something? The rod is not fully extending?