New grapple works great, BUT......

[SouthernSooner]

Just installed my new grapple and 3rd function remote from EA. Installation was not difficult. Customer service was great. Took a couple of ideas from folks here and did a few of my own installation tweaks. Most notable changes was I used heat shrink tubing on the wiring instead of the wire loom supplied. Looks great! I also bought some motorcycle exhaust wrap from Auto Zone to wrap the hyd hoses going to the grapple. Used it today to clear a lot of blow downs and brush. Worked GREAT!

Here's the but..... I took about an hour break, came back out and started the tractor and there is a 3-5 second delay in the 3 point raising. I'm not sure if this is an anomaly, or could have something to do with the installation of another valve. I sent an email to EA, so hopefully, it's something easy and not too uncommon when doing this mod.

 

[aeblank]

Air bubble from purging the grapple cylinder?

 

[SouthernSooner]

Air bubble from purging the grapple cylinder?

Not sure, but the fluid level is good, I've turned the knob below seat full open - full closed several times and cycled the 3 point several times to try to purge.

 

[k0ua]

My first thought is that the new added valve in series has a restriction. Do you have any rear remotes? Should be at least one. and does the flow from it work OK? and where is the electric/hydraulic valved placed? I would assume between the FEL's power beyond port and before the rear remotes correct? the 3pt is tail end charlie in the series connections. So if the 3pt moves slowly, it would seem to me that the flow rate to the 3p is low. The electric/hydraulic valve and its subplate has to pass all of the flow heading to the remotes, if any, and the 3pt.

 

[k0ua]

Next question how fast and responsive is the FEL? Same as always. ? If it is slow as well, consider suction side of pump not getting enough fluid due to possible stoppage in filter. Did you use teflon tape in any part of the install? any chance pieces broken off? A piece of teflon tape in the MLS valve would be a problem.

 

[SouthernSooner]

My first thought is that the new added valve in series has a restriction. Do you have any rear remotes? Should be at least one. and does the flow from it work OK? and where is the electric/hydraulic valved placed? I would assume between the FEL's power beyond port and before the rear remotes correct? the 3pt is tail end charlie in the series connections. So if the 3pt moves slowly, it would seem to me that the flow rate to the 3p is low. The electric/hydraulic valve and its subplate has to pass all of the flow heading to the remotes, if any, and the 3pt.

I do have rear remotes, but have never used them. Yes, the new 3rd function valve comes off the power beyond port. The FEL works as it should, although the two lids on the grapple don't open/shut simultaneously.

I did recently change all fluids and filters (about 7 hours ago) but 3 point was working perfectly after the fluid/filter changes. It only started delaying on the lift after I installed grapple.

 

[AchingBack]

In the first picture it looks like there is a badly worn lift cylinder hose. Thanks for the tip on using motorcycle exhaust wrap.

 

[k0ua]

although the two lids on the grapple don't open/shut simultaneously

that is normal operation . Any two cylinders in parallel may have slightly more or less resistance to the fluid flow. remember pumps make flow not pressure. Pressure develops when the flow meets a resistance. The lids offer very small resistance to the flow until one lid closes and now the pressure spikes up instantly and the other lid that may have lagged behind because of the low pressure in the system now closes rapidly.

 

[k0ua]

One thing I can think of is hook a hose from one of the remotes into a very clean 1 gallon jug. Get your stop watch ready, engine at the 540 pto mark on the tach, and open the valve and time how long it takes to fill up the 1 gallon jug. lets see you should have about 9 gallons a minute, so 1 gallon should take 60/9 seconds so if it don't fill in 6 seconds, you have a problem upstream. You could also perform this test at the FEL valve to confirm (double blind test) that the methodology and conclusions are correct.

 

[oosik]

I would make an added suggestion. Get some additional protection on your grill guard before a stick,branch, etc finds its way into your radiator or battery. Here is a picture of what I had added to my grill guard.View attachment 447224