How to Hold QA FEL Levers in Locked Position ????

[Gordon Gould]

I got a used M5640 with a QA FEL this summer. When I mounted a grapple for brush work on it the QA levers looked like they might be subject to unlocking from the brush. I have been keeping my eye on them and sure enough just before lunch one side came unlocked while moving some rough slash today. Has anyone put a securing mechanism on that insures the levers stay locked. If so I would like to copy it. Thanks !! Here is a pic of what I have in case they aren't all the same.

EDIT: I am really surprised how little a force it takes to lift those levers. You would think there would be a stronger retention.



gg

 

[Xfaxman]

The levers are held down by the compression on the spring.

If the QA plate has a gap at the bottom, the latch pins won't put as much compression on the spring.

Note that the latch pin rod goes overcenter when down, the spring is pushing back up against the stop holding the lever down:

Too much gap at the bottom:

This latch pin is too far down, touching, but very little spring compression:

 

[Rmart30]

If you are knocking them open could always weld a chain link or two to the handle, and a piece of chain on the grapple and use one of the quick links to secure them together and it wouldnt be able to be pushed to unlock.

 

[jeff9366]

Or secure SSQA levers with two to four bungee cords.

Or secure SSQA levers with one cable tie on each. Cable ties are made in humongous sizes these days. eBay and Amazon are good sources for industrial quality/size cable ties.

 

[Gordon Gould]

To me the fit is fine but maybe there is something I am not seeing. There is no movement between plate and grapple. See pic below.

Xfaxman - why do you say that pin on your pic is to far down ??? The plate is still well onto the taper of the pin. Maybe there is a gap between the pin and plate I don't see ?? What am I missing ???

I am going to increase the spring tension adjustment but would like more than that. When you jamb the grapple into a pile of tops or try to crush down on a pile there are branches coming from everywhere. It is just to easy to push a lever up.



gg

 

[Gordon Gould]

I think I see it now Xfaxman. The plate is to low and not held up tight to QA bracket. As if the plate pocket on top is over sized allowing the plate to drop to far so that vertical movement of the plate is possible. Is that what you are demonstrating ?? BTW thanks for this help.

I do not have that condition. There is a tight fit every where between QA bracket and plate. And the lever travels well over center to make a cam lock.

gg

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Some times when I get to wild and aggressive with any of my front QA attachments one will sometimes pop out/come loose. When it does it isn't a simple reset of the lever, it's an intense reattachment process and sometimes requires a sledge hammer (Yesterday). Seems my arms can spread an inch or so to much and need bumped back together or one cylinder extends an inch longer than the other one. I work mine, I don't baby it. I don't think my lever is lifting but it may be just enough to allow pin out which starts the problem by the time I notice one arm is loose.

 

[Xfaxman]

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Xfaxman - why do you say that pin on your pic is to far down ??? The plate is still well onto the taper of the pin. Maybe there is a gap between the pin and plate I don't see ?? What am I missing ???

-------------------------------------

gg

I said it is too far down because the pin is almost bottomed out where the arrow is. Can't see the spring, but probably not much compression.

Your pin looks good, but can't see the spring. I think a mechanical safety system is a good idea.

 

[Xfaxman]

I think I see it now Xfaxman. The plate is to low and not held up tight to QA bracket. As if the plate pocket on top is over sized allowing the plate to drop to far so that vertical movement of the plate is possible. Is that what you are demonstrating ?? BTW thanks for this help. You're welcome

I do not have that condition. There is a tight fit every where between QA bracket and plate. And the lever travels well over center to make a cam lock.

gg

Yep, in real extreme cases the plate can go up and unlatch one side at the top.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Maybe I am overly conservative but to me it is unacceptable for an implement to become unhooked.
Potentially destructive and dangerous.

gg