Grapple Hyd Hose Routing and Questions

[MOTractor]

Grapple is on the way. Below is what I think I need to do. If what I say does not sound right, please let me know. This is the first time I have tinkered with hydraulic hoses except to have direct replacements made. Opinions are always welcome! If it matters, the grapple is the EA, 60" double lid. The tractor is the LS in my signature.

I am planning on running the grapple using a pair of my rear remotes (I have 2 sets) and using using 3/8 hyd hose instead of 1/2. I do not see myself buying (or renting) a Hydraulic auger.

I think my rear remotes are 1/2 Ag QDs. How do I measure to know for sure? What type of ends should I get on the hoses? NPT, JIC... and why? Discount Hydraulic Hoses website made my head hurt.

I am planning on breaking the hose with QDs at the loader arm to make it easier if I have to remove the FEL.

Thinking of welding on the hose mounts. What do you think? Weld or drill and bolt.

I am planning on stealing, I mean borrowing, ideas from Underdog57's thread. Any thoughts? Underdog57 if you are out there still, please chime in!

The grapple is coming with 1/2 QDs, one male and one female. I can get 3/8 hose with 1/2 fittings to ease the connection, correct?

I have pics below showing my planned hose routing. I have not yet pulled the garden hose out to measure.

 

[davesl708]

You should be able to get the necessary connections. As to the cost of the hose you might get a quote from CARQUEST. they custom build hoses and can be cheaper if you do not get any angled fittings.

 

[k0ua]

I think you are on track.I used NPT's and have had no problems with them but the consensus was I should have used JIC fittings.
The fittings on the back of your tractor are 1/2 inch AG's. I used Surplus center hoses and Discount hydraulic fittings. I had about $150 in the whole shebang. I welded on my own bracket on the torque tube cover.

Here is the thread.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-quick-connects-loader-torque.html?highlight=

 

[MOTractor]

You should be able to get the necessary connections. As to the cost of the hose you might get a quote from CARQUEST. they custom build hoses and can be cheaper if you do not get any angled fittings.

One of our local autp parts stores (Singer Auto) is a CarQuest outlet - they do hoses too. I will talk to them 1st before I go online

 

[MOTractor]

I think you are on track.I used NPT's and have had no problems with them but the consensus was I should have used JIC fittings.

Any leaks at all? After reading your thread I think I need to make myself smarter on JIC fittings and bulkheads. A bulkhead is just an adapter that lets you connect hoses to a fixed connector, correct?

 

[k0ua]

Any leaks at all? After reading your thread I think I need to make myself smarter on JIC fittings and bulkheads. A bulkhead is just an adapter that lets you connect hoses to a fixed connector, correct?

No leaks at all. There no NPT bulkhead connectors but JIC bulkhead connectors are common. A bulkhead is just like a wall. You need a connector that will snug up to both sides of the wall and allow you to attach fittings on both sides. You see how I solved it with the home made copper crush washers to take up the slop between the connectors and the "bulkhead" of my home made L bracket on the FEL torque tube cover.

 

[MOTractor]

About mounting the Hyd hose clamps: One set of the QDs will be mounted to the loader arms so that I can un-mount the loader. Weld the mount, bolt it, or other idea?

 

[aczlan]

At the quick disconnect end (to the grapple) I would skip the bulkhead bracket and get a connector that will let you mount the quick disconnects to it. That way you push them in to connect and pull them out to disconnect.
A side benefit is that if you ever have the grapple fall off (or forget to disconnect the hoses when you remove it) it will just disconnect vs ripping a hose or fitting apart.
I would use 3/8 lines like you have planned, then upsize to 1/2" quick connects (just use a 1/2-3/8 reducer bushing in the quick connect unless the 1/2 npt ends are the same price as the 3/8 npt ends).

Aaron Z

 

[MOTractor]

Just got back from the local hose maker, an 11'-8" hose with fittings will cost me $127.15 and that is for one hose, so $254.30 for the pair. I like to buy local, but that pair of hoses only gets me to the loader arm. I would still need 2 short hoses to go from the QD on the loader arm to the front center of the loader for grapple hookup.

Checking out online prices. Surplus Center offers the hose i need with JIC 6F or JIC 8F. Which do I need? 6F or 8F?

 

[aeblank]

I used bulkhead fittings. JIC to NPT (so they sort-of make NPT bulkhead fittings.. =)

 

[k0ua]

Just got back from the local hose maker, an 11'-8" hose with fittings will cost me $127.15 and that is for one hose, so $254.30 for the pair. I like to buy local, but that pair of hoses only gets me to the loader arm. I would still need 2 short hoses to go from the QD on the loader arm to the front center of the loader for grapple hookup.

Checking out online prices. Surplus Center offers the hose i need with JIC 6F or JIC 8F. Which do I need? 6F or 8F?

You need to sit down, and start drawing or make a spreadsheet or how ever it makes sense in your head. For example start at the remote, You will need an AG Male Quick Disconnect. It will likely have a NPT 1/2 inch female so you will need a 90 degree NPT male on one end and a JIC likely 6M on the other. So, your next hose would need a 6F on each end.. so far so good. So on the far end of the hose, you got to decide what does this hook to? Are you using bulkheads on some bracket at the location for the break in the loader.. are these bulkheads JIC 6m to 6M ? what are you using for QD's at this location? just start piecing it out piece by piece and write it down and draw it out. This will tell you what you need.

 

[aeblank]

i used Visio.
Also, used discounthydraulichose.com.
I wanted local too, but they were literally 2x as much..
DHH was easy to use and had a real nice, but simple, website.

If it helps......

 

[k0ua]

i used Visio.
Also, used discounthydraulichose.com.
I wanted local too, but they were literally 2x as much..
DHH was easy to use and had a real nice, but simple, website.

If it helps......
View attachment 446259

Visio can work Or just paper and pencil or paint or what ever makes sense for the user. The point is you need to "write it down" so you can plan the next step and if need be go back and forth as you check what is available at the price you want to pay vs what you are going to need to plumb it all together.

 

[aczlan]

I have used these couplers: Pioneer Quick Coupling, 1/2 in. Double Acting Sleeve Set - For Life Out Here
And this clamp: Pioneer Double Breakaway Clamp - For Life Out Here

Works well for my application.

Aaron Z

 

[aeblank]

I have used these couplers: Pioneer Quick Coupling, 1/2 in. Double Acting Sleeve Set - For Life Out Here
And this clamp: Pioneer Double Breakaway Clamp - For Life Out Here

Works well for my application.

Aaron Z

I'd love to see a picture of that all set up and complete.

 

[MOTractor]

I'd love to see a picture of that all set up and complete.

Not to jump on the band wagon, but me too

 

[aczlan]

I'd love to see a picture of that all set up and complete.

No problem. Here it is (on a hay baler), I am not using the "tongue" that came with it and instead ran a pair of bolts through from the back of the metal its mounted on.

The 1/2" hoses from the tractor (would be 3/8" if I did it again) are on the left and the 1/4" hoses (to the cylinder) are on the right.
I like it better than a bulkhead fitting as I can disconnect the hoses by just pulling on them and connect them by pushing in on the hose (no need to fuss with a collar to connect or disconnect the hoses.

Aaron Z

 

[RKJeepXJ]

Here's my setup. Pic of the rear, you can see my grapple circuit has 90 degree fittings and goes hard left and is routed over top of the left axle housing but then under the platform. Pic with my wife and boy, you can see the disconnects so I can remove loader easily. Pic from the driver seat you can see the lines routed down the left loader arm. Attached on loader arm in 3 places with double hose clamps that use a self tapping bolt. I didn't do a bulkhead up front, just have a clamp a few inched back from the end. So far, so good.

 

[MOTractor]

RKJeepXJ
I really like where you have your quick disconnects - at the beginning of the FEL. Any regrets putting them there? I was thinking of putting them about halfway down the FEL arm, but I would have had a 3' section of hose to deal with when I take the loader off. Your QD placement fixes that. Thanks!

Where did you get the hose clamps you bolted on?

 

[RKJeepXJ]

Placement is perfect for strapping the tractor end to the foot platform guard when the loader is off.

Clamps came from Discount Hydrailics Part#BET30840

Used all 1/2" hose. 2 8' and 2 5' sections.