Texas Grapple Shootout

[lostcreekranch]

Never said anything about dumping in a fire.....I said restacking it. That is precisely picking up burning and smoking stumps as fast as you can to rearrange the pile before the smoke comes back on you. You know, to get it to burn better. Maybe I am using the wrong term. I can curl, then hit my thumb button and close the grapple. They don't move both at the same time. I am saying having your hand left on the joystick is way faster than moving between two different controls in two different positions. My diverter valve is controlled by an elelctric valve switching flow of hydraulic fluid. Thus it is a electric/hydraulic diverter valve. It is not a third function valve. An electric/hyd. diverter valve does three functions with two circuits....thus it diverts the flow. Oh yeah.........I'm so glad you stated how much experience you have. It always trumps out other's opinions. Brandi

Well stated Brandi. I have been operating all sizes of tractors for over 50 years and must be a dumb ....... as a result of having a different preference on control of my grapple. The opinion was offered up as an alternative, all be it more $$$, than using a rear remote. It also eliminates the loss of top / tilt functionality, as stated.

 

[lostcreekranch]

A diverter valve really isn't faster than using remotes. You can only operate either the loader dump/curl or the grapple at one moment in time. I've used both. No significant difference. You can go 0-60 as fast with a manual shift as with automatic. Same difference. Not trying to be snotty by listing my experience but after many years of grapple debates I am well aware that most people advocate for what they personally chose or use and that they rarely have ever used other equipment or methods. I figured it might be relevant to point out that I have experience with both.

Island;

Also have experience with both and prefer the convenience of keeping my hand on the FEL joystick all the time AND willing to pay extra cost for it. Your way is perfectly acceptable.

 

[blueriver]

As always .. A matter of preference and money!!

 

[lostcreekranch]

As always .. A matter of preference and money!!

Bingo!

 

[the whispering oaks farm]

I installed the diverter valve kit that fitrite hydraulics sells, it is a switch in the joystick and I am totally satisfied with how it works, I for one didn't want to have to take my hand off the joystick to work the grapple. now i can do it in one motion, it is either curling or opening-closing. just what works for me.

Well stated Brandi. I have been operating all sizes of tractors for over 50 years and must be a dumb ....... as a result of having a different preference on control of my grapple. The opinion was offered up as an alternative, all be it more $$$, than using a rear remote. It also eliminates the loss of top / tilt functionality, as stated.

 

[IslandTractor]

I installed the diverter valve kit that fitrite hydraulics sells, it is a switch in the joystick and I am totally satisfied with how it works, I for one didn't want to have to take my hand off the joystick to work the grapple. now i can do it in one motion, it is either curling or opening-closing. just what works for me.

I have the same system on my current tractor. Just be careful when you are working quickly not to confuse when the button is pushed. When moving quickly, I still quite frequently make the mistake of having the button in the wrong position when moving the joystick. That is one of the reasons that I preferred my earlier set up with the separate rear remote lever (or a true third function where the button only affects the grapple).

 

[jinman]

I've had three rear remotes for so long that I've become very used to using the joystick and reaching for the remote lever with the same hand as James mentioned and showed a photo. My 3rd remote is so close to the joystick that it's easy to spread my fingers to as needed. I rarely need to collect and clamp the grapple jaws at the same time. I normally collect into an open grapple and then clamp down for transport. Operating my grapple is almost always done with the joystick centered.

In Don's case, I'd bet that his PB port from his joystick is already in use. On my tractor, the PB port is what feeds the rest of the 3PH hydraulics and all rear remotes. When a loader is installed, the main flow is diverted to the loader joystick first and then the joystick PB port feeds the rest of the system. I don't know that Kubota is the same, but that's the way that New Holland routes the hydraulic flow. That way the loader has hydraulic priority.

I would agree that operation of our grapples is largely personal preference and what we've grown accustomed to using. I just believe that Don's issue is having one too few remotes. There is an electric over hydraulic remote diverter that splits a single remote into two, but I have no personal experience with that setup. It looks to be a solenoid controlled diverter that plugs into a single remote and has two outputs. It's probably about as expensive as adding an additional remote, but much more convenient since extra hoses and plumbing are not needed. A single switch and wires are all that's needed.

 

[pacerron]

I've had three rear remotes for so long that I've become very used to using the joystick and reaching for the remote lever with the same hand as James mentioned and showed a photo. My 3rd remote is so close to the joystick that it's easy to spread my fingers to as needed. I rarely need to collect and clamp the grapple jaws at the same time. I normally collect into an open grapple and then clamp down for transport. Operating my grapple is almost always done with the joystick centered.

In Don's case, I'd bet that his PB port from his joystick is already in use. On my tractor, the PB port is what feeds the rest of the 3PH hydraulics and all rear remotes. When a loader is installed, the main flow is diverted to the loader joystick first and then the joystick PB port feeds the rest of the system. I don't know that Kubota is the same, but that's the way that New Holland routes the hydraulic flow. That way the loader has hydraulic priority.

I would agree that operation of our grapples is largely personal preference and what we've grown accustomed to using. I just believe that Don's issue is having one too few remotes. There is an electric over hydraulic remote diverter that splits a single remote into two, but I have no personal experience with that setup. It looks to be a solenoid controlled diverter that plugs into a single remote and has two outputs. It's probably about as expensive as adding an additional remote, but much more convenient since extra hoses and plumbing are not needed. A single switch and wires are all that's needed.

Jim,
Isn't this the way your grapple works?
Mine does

 

[IslandTractor]

Jim,
Isn't this the way your grapple works?
Mine does

Love it.

 

[txdon]

Jim,
Isn't this the way your grapple works?
Mine does

Stack the brush then burn it, don't all grapples work like that?