Grappling fun - A Picture Thread....

[tractorshopper]

Question here for you grapple experts. I have only had mine on this tractor, so am relatively new to grappling. This is the first tractor set up I've owned or used even that has the extra function installed that runs my grapple.

When I remove the grapple for longer periods (weeks between use), and reinstall, it seems like it won't work at all for some period of time. I have to assume this has something to do with hydraulic fluid, but when I undo the lines for the grapple either at the loader valve end or at the bucket end, I don't lose much more than several drops or drips of fluid.

Why does it seem to take a good while before the grapple will actually work again? Is there a way to speed this function back up? I would have assumed that each time I reinstall the grapple that it should pretty much work immediately, just like if I reconnect the FEL and it works immediately. Am I missing something? Is this something I can fix quickly or something I should be talking to my dealer about?

I will reinstall the grapple tomorrow to get some work done and most likely it could be a half hour or more before it will open and close, but the FEL arms and tilt functions will work as soon as I hook it all up.

 

[Xfaxman]

From reading the problems your dealer had, something may not be plumbed right. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...grapple-thoughts-post4092651.html#post4092651

Pictures would help.

 

[IslandTractor]

Agree with Xfaxman. I have never experienced any delay even after overwinter without use. ?? Could air be getting in.

 

[tractorshopper]

Air could be getting in, although I would think there'd have to be a leak in the lines to allow room for air to go in. I really don't lose much fluid when disconnecting/reconnecting, so I didn't think that would be the problem.

I did not hook it up this weekend. Just didn't have the time that I thought I would. Probably will next weekend. If problem persists, I'll take it to the dealer to look at. Still under warranty.

 

[kminnick]

Would an OBG-2 64" be too small for a New Holland TN75A?

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Would an OBG-2 64" be too small for a New Holland TN75A?

Small isn't really the word, but it isn't built strong enough to withstand what a TN75 is capable of lifting or pushing.
The OBG1-64 or wider would be the proper match in the WR Long lineup.

Our new 55" and 73" Wicked Grapples for Utility Tractors would be my favorite match for your tractor!
Travis

 

[Xfaxman]

Would an OBG-2 64" be too small for a New Holland TN75A?

Small isn't really the word, but it isn't built strong enough to withstand what a TN75 is capable of lifting or pushing.
The OBG1-64 or wider would be the proper match in the WR Long lineup.

Our new 55" and 73" Wicked Grapples for Utility Tractors would be my favorite match for your tractor!
Travis

Travis is right. :thumbsup: I have one of the smallest grapples (narrow, 44") made, but it weighs 946 pounds and is super strong, with 1 inch thick tines.

Narrow can still lift wide.

 

[IslandTractor]

Agree that width is not an issue. Big excavators rarely mount grapples wider than 36" or so.

There is an understandable but incorrect assumption new buyers often have that grapples should be as wide as the standard bucket. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Unless you are collecting construction debris a narrower grapple is almost always more versatile, more maneuverable and less expensive while at the same time leaving you with greater lift capacity. Standard single jaw 48-60" grapples should handle virtually any task a CUT owner will want.

 

[aeblank]

grapples should be as wide as the standard bucket. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I agree! I was originally wanting a 72" double lid. Eventually ended up with a 66" single lid. I'm glad about the size AND the number of lids.
The reason for the size is maneuverability, pure and simple. My woods is tight.
The reason on the number of lids is that I often slip/whatever and need to re-open the lid a couple inches. With 1 lid, that's no problem. With 2 lids, I'm almost positive I couldn't do that. One lid will *always* be easier to open than the other, and thus it'll open first, then the second one will move (at the very least, one will move faster than the other). So I'd *always* have to do full-open any time I opened at all. BLEAH that.

 

[Raised on a Deere]

Amen to Island Tractor. Once I saw the potential of a grapple on a 4wd tractor I knew it would be a fantastic investment and I struggled for over a year with a decision on what to buy and finally decided to bite the bullet and get a 72" Wicked grapple. I had already missed out on working one summer and a year ago last spring I called to place the order. There was a 5 week waiting period. I read what Island Tractor been saying and decided to consider other options for the sake of getting something quicker. I ran across a The NAI site and found a grapple single lid 48" for around $1000, I forget exactly the amount, and he could get it to me in time for me to start my projects within my work time window . I felt very disappointed that I had backed myself into a corner time wise and missed out on the Wicked grapple. But Time and time again as I began using my grapple I was thinking, thank goodness I didn't get the 6' grapple. I have done everything from digging stumps, root raking, picking up tree trimmings and carrying whole trees and stumps, and then take off with it as I bush hog 15 acres. The smaller weight in a strong grapple pays big dividends over time in versatility. Are there times that a wider double lid would actually better for a certain particular load on my projects? You betcha but working all day in a wide variety of situations there would be a penalty for the extra weight and extra width that knowing what I know now I wouldn't want to put up with.

It really depends on your what you are doing. Just don't get too fantasized over some unique one time advantage of the double lid or the extra weight. If all I was doing is picking up tree trimmings and left overs from wood cutting in a wide open space and then removing the grapple as soon as the job is done I would get the double lid wide grapple. Or if I was clearing acres of vines and root raking mostly I would want something as wide as my tractor. But for fence rows, and cleaning around this building or that building or that tree or drainage area narrow just works better.