My Grapple Just stopped working!!!! Advise Please

Piston · Jul 5, 2018

Have you called Nelson Long? He is super helpful on the phone.

aczlan · Jul 5, 2018

MossflowerWoods said:
Aaron,
OK, I tried with the male end, and it easily released.
I know this trick because back when I was a n00b (was?) I more than once disconnected with pressurized system (Big no no).
I need to figure out how to check the female end...

I use the handle of a ratchet, or a 3/8" extension wrapped in a paper towel to push in the female side.

flyerdan said:
If you're not getting a deadhead sound, it would appear that the solenoid valves aren't working. If it was me, I'd take my 12 ga. jumper wire with a battery clamp on one end and apply it directly to the suspect terminal. If it worked, the problem is in the switch or wiring; if it didn't, the valve is suspect.

Good point, if the switch doesn't make the engine bog down a little in both directions, the problem is probably the switch, the solenoid, or the wiring between them.

Aaron Z

MossflowerWoods · Jul 6, 2018

Piston said:
Have you called Nelson Long? He is super helpful on the phone.

PM me the number and I'll call.

Thanks

Be well,
David

MossflowerWoods · Jul 6, 2018

Aaron,

Excellent idea on extension!

As for the deadheading sound on rocker switch, I rarely touched it when grapple was not on, and I rarely have anything except the grapple on (Heck I've used it to move dirt even). I love my grapple.

Point being, I cannot recall if it made dead-head noise BEFORE.

Here is my BEST data point. BEFORE when removing the grapple it was critical to zero the hyd pressure. to do that completely, I'd turn off tractor, zero all comtrols, then turn tractor to "Run" with out starting the engine and click the rocker switch both directions to release that pressure. THEN I could remove the hyd hoses.

THEN I got a click in both directions. NOW I get one louder clunk in only one direction.

I'd LOVE for the problem to be the switch vs. the whole unit... LOL...

Be well,
David

woody · Jul 6, 2018

went out and checked my third function switch and I get a click in both directions so since you do not it sounds like a solenoid/relay to me, just my 2 cents good luck

Piston · Jul 6, 2018

MossflowerWoods said:
PM me the number and I'll call.

Thanks

Be well,
David

W.R. Long, Inc. | Contact

Bavarian · Jul 6, 2018

For those who are unsure about solenoids working or not.
Check if there is power to the solenoid.
If you get power but still no click, the magnet might be shot.
There is a tool to test it. I don't know the name for it. It's the size of a ballpen and has a small check light at the rear. You just hold the tip against the solenoid. If the solenoid works and creates a magnetic field, that tester senses the magnetic field and the light comes on.

I hope this will help.

Coyote machine · Jul 6, 2018

If its possible to remove the hyd lines to your grapple and switch them so they work in reverse to normal you might be able to get the grapple off the machine and then trouble shoot the problem, once it's removed...

MossflowerWoods · Jul 6, 2018

Coyote machine said:
If its possible to remove the hyd lines to your grapple and switch them so they work in reverse to normal you might be able to get the grapple off the machine and then trouble shoot the problem, once it's removed...

CM,

I got the grapple off.

The hard part was getting the logs (thank God they were smallish) out of the grapple...

I cannot reverse the hyd lines, one is male, the other female.

Thanks.

Be well,

David

Bavarian · Jul 7, 2018

Just switch the hoses from the quick connectors.

Coyote machine · Jul 8, 2018

MossflowerWoods said:
CM,

I got the grapple off.

The hard part was getting the logs (thank God they were smallish) out of the grapple...

I cannot reverse the hyd lines, one is male, the other female.

Thanks.

Be well,

David

Well good! Now what - any progress as to what the problem is yet?

MossflowerWoods · Jul 9, 2018

Coyote machine said:
Well good! Now what - any progress as to what the problem is yet?

Not really... One guy I needed to call was on vacation. I had a big party to setup & host Saturday & recover on Sunday (LOL).

Between meetings on my day job this week I'm going to make a few calls and mess with it some more. I'm pretty sure the 3rd function solenoid is the issue, whatever is the MOST Expensive of course... LOL...

Be well,
David

David_Kb7uns · Jul 10, 2018

Over the years i have replaced 2 of the OTTO switches on the WR Long third function valve handle. The OTTO switches are over priced for the life I am getting out of them.

David

MossflowerWoods · Jul 10, 2018

David_Kb7uns said:
Over the years i have replaced 2 of the OTTO switches on the WR Long third function valve handle. The OTTO switches are over priced for the life I am getting out of them.

David

You would nott happen to have a quick and easy way to test this would you? I'd really like a simple fix...

David

aczlan · Jul 10, 2018

Do you have a meter? Here are directions to test a switch with a meter:

Aaron Z

MossflowerWoods · Sep 20, 2018

To make a long and seemingly sordid story MUCH shorter...

My Grapple is functioning again. I was unable to figure out the issue and I had yet another problem (Broken valve stem in left rear filled tire) and had to find a service guy who came out to my location and I found one (Mobile Repair Service out of Oilville, VA 804-955-8158, Justin - I HIGHLY Recommend him) who could come help my n00b self.

While he was here, he also tested things and suddenly the solenoid was making noise in both directions again. He also helped me with the weird problem where the grapple was stuck partially open even with the hoses cross connected and SHOULD be no pressure. Seems the problem was that I had been swapping out grapple/bucket/forks a lot in a dirty environment and got some debris into one of the connectors. I believe that then I panicked a bit (like a n00b will) when the grapple behaved oddly and somehow over pressurized both the 3rd function AND one cyclinder on grapple.

This morning I've reattached the grapple and everything is working. I think I might order a spare WR Long 3rd function solenoid JUST IN CASE... But Man oh man am I relieved... I was feeling pretty st00pid...

Have a great day!
Be well all,
David

oosik · Sep 20, 2018

Do not over stress there David - believe me, you are not the only one that finds hydraulics, grapples, WR Long 3rd function - just a little mystifying.

Glad you were able to get it all working again. Good learning experience -

Gordon Gould · Sep 20, 2018

Glad all is good with your tractor again. Don't beat yourself up - We all can use a little help now and then. Help is a good thing. It must have been pretty interesting seeing that loaded tire fixed in the field.

gg

MossflowerWoods · Sep 21, 2018

Gordon Gould said:
Glad all is good with your tractor again. Don't beat yourself up - We all can use a little help now and then. Help is a good thing. It must have been pretty interesting seeing that loaded tire fixed in the field.

gg

It was VERY interesting to watch indeed!!!!

He replaced it without removing the wheel from the tractor...

I should have taken pictures!!!!

LOL!

Be well,
David