grapple mounted...next hydraulics

stormpetrel · Nov 21, 2010

normde2001 said:
Maybe I just don't understand the problem, but I would just do it this way, no muss, no fuss. All open center valves, out to in, out to in, etc., line em up, each working independently of the other, as long as you only use one at a time.

Makes sense......except: I already have a power source much closer than the hydraulic pump; the loader valve (which is open center). High pressure line from the loader valve (via power beyond sleeve) to the grapple valve, working lines from grapple valve to grapple cylinder, return line from grapple valve "Teed" into loader valve return line close to end.

I had ordered all the stuff, valve, hoses, fittings adapters...everything. And then found out it was all too big. I talked to a tech at Surplus center, told him all about the tractor's engine size, hydraulic pump gpm, loader size, etc. The valve he sold me was for up to 30 gpm application; ity was huge and heavy. The hoses I got were the same size as the ports, i.e. 3/4" and 3/8".....huge!!!!

So, I re-ordered (on the sage advice of JJ, who posts on the hydraulics board), got an 8gpm valve, 1/4" working hoses, and 1/2" supply and return hoses. They should get here tomorrow, and with any luck I'll be posting photos of the new grapple this coming week. Of course, I'll be amazed if I don't end up a fitting or two short....whatever!! Very few things go exactly as planned.

I must say, I never would have even tried this on my own. The help and advice I've gotten here has been very valuable. I've learned a ton, and now have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing. So.....thanks!!!!

normde2001 · Nov 21, 2010

Sounds overly-complicated to me:confused2:, but, as I said, I guess I just don't understand.

winston1 · Nov 21, 2010

We need some pictures of this installation when you are done.:thumbsup:

stormpetrel · Nov 21, 2010

normde2001 said:
Sounds overly-complicated to me:confused2:, but, as I said, I guess I just don't understand.

If you check out the thread on the hydraulics board you can see a Prince diagram showing the plumbing. It's really very simple; there's a line going OUT from the loader valve to the grapple valve, and then a return line from the grapple valve which is teed to the return line from the loader.

Any way you do it, you'd still have two lines going to the grapple cylinder from the valve that operates the grapple, and two more lines (high pressure & return) to and from the valve. There's no other way to do it where there'd be less plumbing, right?

stormpetrel · Nov 21, 2010

winston1 said:
We need some pictures of this installation when you are done.:thumbsup:

I can't wait!!! Shouldn't take long, the biggest part of the job will be fabricating mounting brackets for valve and qd fittings.

On a more embarrassing note; I was cleaning up around the place yesterday. We just bought our house less than a year ago, it had been owned by an old lady whose husband had died a long time ago. Nothing has been done to the place (aside from the most necessary house maintenance) for maybe 20 years. There was an old freezer 3/4 buried in the ground, they had used it for starting plants. The empty grapple bracket was just too tempting NOT to use to lift that puppy. I simply held the chain up, put a bolt between the holes where the pin that holds the grapple goes, and hoisted away. Long story short, the top of the bucket bent!!!!! The koyker bucket isn't cheaply made. In fact, there's a sort of U channel that runs along the edge to strengthen it; I never would have guessed...........ah, well!

It was still fun pulling that thing outa there, maybe my three ton jack (used judiciously) will straighten her out!!!!