CK20 Worries Me

[IslandTractor]

1) Install the rear remotes
2) Measure the hose distance from rear remotes to FEL torque tube by using an old hose to simulate installation of hydraulic hoses. Route the hose over the left rear axle, under that side of the operator platform then curve up the left FEL post to the FEL arm and then along the arm to the torque tube. Make sure you don't pull it tight and kink the hose at bends. You'd rather measure a little too long than short.
3) Either go to local hydraulic shop/tractor dealer or use Surplus Center (TBN advertizer) to purchase appropriate length 3/8 inch hose with 1/2 inch NPT fittings and Pioneer (tractor) style quick connectors (you'll need four for the hydraulic hose and two for the rear remote (might come in kit???) as well as two more for the grapple hoses. Make sure you get the right number of matching male/female connectors.
4) Install all the quick connects using one or two wraps of teflon tape (keep the tape off the first few threads so it cannot enter the system).
5) Install the hydraulic hoses to the underside of the tractor just like you did with the garden hose using zipties. Best is to leave enough for a gentle curve to the rear remotes (or use 90 degree NPT fittings if you want to flush mount). Use duct tape or nylon hose protection sleeve to insure that the hoses don't get cut by abrasion at corners (especially at transition from under operator station to FEL mount and again from FEL mount to FEL arm)
6) Bolt or weld a mounting plate to the torque tube to hold the hose/quick connects. If you are a slob like me you can just zip tie the hoses in place.
7) Order a Markham light duty 48 inch grapple (maybe with extra spacer bottom tines) for about a grand delivered. Ask them to leave off the skid steer style flat quick connectors as they will be useless to you. Make sure they use the 3/8 inch hose with 1/2 inch NPT fittings (pretty sure they do)
8) Order a SS QA attachment mount for your Kioti pin mount. ATI sells them for big bucks. Horst Welding sells them for even bigger bucks. Rick Wallace sells one that he has locally made for many fewer bucks.
9) You are ready to go. Hook up the grapple to the FEL. Attach all hoses/quick connects and fire her up. Control the grapple with the rear remote lever that will be just to the right and back of your FEL joystick.
10) Have fun. The CK20 and a light duty grapple are a tremendous combo. Photos below are all CK20 with light duty grapple equivalent to the Markham.

 

[gilbertmsg]

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you have a rough estimate of total cost? Due to being partly to mostly poor, I may have to purchase one piece at a time.

Eddie

 

[BJN644]

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you have a rough estimate of total cost? Due to being partly to mostly poor, I may have to purchase one piece at a time.

Eddie

I can see easily spending $2000 with the SS adapter, grapple, aux. hydraulics, and a couple of long hydraulic hoses.

 

[IslandTractor]

I can see easily spending $2000 with the SS adapter, grapple, aux. hydraulics, and a couple of long hydraulic hoses.

That might be a little high and there are some ways to save money doing this. First, Markham really does sell their basic 48 inch grapple delivered for about $900. I personally would spring for the extra intermediate bottom tines and that would cost a bit more...let's estimate $1000. The hoses and fittings from a retail hydraulic shop would cost you maybe $200-250 but you could cut that in half by figuring out the details yourself and purchasing from Surplus Supply. I've bought from them but never called for advice but I understand they are quite helpful over the phone. That leaves the QA adapter as the major remaining purchase. I don't recall what Rick is charging for his version (call Wallace Tractor or PM Rick) however I am pretty sure that is the cheapest of the alternatives. One additional expense will be modifying your existing bucket to acept a QA adapter and that can be done for about $150 with a QA receiver plate with your own cutting/welding or add in the cost of professional welding to attach it.

One way to minimize cost is to forgo the QA and just get a pin mount grapple. I am not sure if Markham does that for the Kioti but you could ask. If you are not switching the bucket and grapple on a daily basis it is an acceptable compromise in my opinion. That would cut the total cost to about $1500.