Can't connect Pioneer fitting from my EA grapple to the tractor?

[Milo]

I've connected the grapple many times w/o a problem. Today I struggled attaching the grapple to the SSQA loader arms, one side would hook but not the other then vice versa. So I got off to see why and saw that one of the unconnected grapple hoses had moved and was in the way preventing the loader ends to fit flush against the grapple. So essentially the flat part of the loader end would have been mashing a section of a hose against a flat part of the grapple mount as I mover the tractor forward. I didn't think anything of it as the hose doesn't appear to be affected at all. Naturally once I lifted the hose out of the way the grapple connected to the arms. But here's my problem, now I cannot connect the grapple hydraulic fittings to the tractor's, they simply will not connect. At first I assumed there was some pressure (which happens sometimes) so I checked and moved the loader valve around, made sure the 3-point was all the way down, opened the pressure release screw at the back. The couplers still would not connect. I repeated this a dozen times then finally started the tractor moved it shut it off, and went through the procedure to connect them another dozen times but I cannot press the fittings home. That's when I started thinking maybe it's not pressure in the tractor but in the grapple somehow? So I took the grapple off and hooked up to another front attachment and those fittings connected to the tractor with no problem. Any suggestions?

 

[dirttoys]

crack the hose at the qc on the attachment side. either one is fine. if that doesn't fix it, remove both qc from the attachment and make sure they work disconnected.

best,

ed

 

[Midniteoyl]

Crack open a fitting on the grapple to relieve some pressure?

 

[Midniteoyl]

jinx

 

[Milo]

Thank you guys! (I should have thought of that.)

 

[dirttoys]

all good, let us know?

 

[oosik]

Good to hear it's working and nothing broken. It's always the little things.

 

[xrjohndeere]

I have this happen every once in awhile. I wonder if a guy took some of that canned air and sprayed it upside down on the cylinder if it would cool the micro air in the hydraulic fluid enough to contract and relieve the pressure? Dumb idea?

 

[dirttoys]

I have this happen every once in awhile. I wonder if a guy took some of that canned air and sprayed it upside down on the cylinder if it would cool the micro air in the hydraulic fluid enough to contract and relieve the pressure? Dumb idea?

I think it would work. Figure it takes a couple of cans to move the needle $20 bucks.

Pack it in ice for $8 dollars should certainly work in an hour or so.

Crack the line, free and immediate.............

 

[Fxfymn413]

There are also some tools out there which allow the couplers to either be relieved of the pressure that keeps the plunger closed or overcomes the pressure by leverage to close the couplers.

I bought the XBoom tool: XBoom Excavator Coupler System (Excavator Skid Steer Loader Adapter Coupler System) Pretty expensive for what it is, but it works if you have access to the back of each coupler. I like this one because it does not bleed the oil off which means there is no mess or loss of (expensive) hydraulic fluid. It is also fast.

Prior to the purchase of the tool I would relieve the pressure by pushing the pin in the female coupler in with a hammer strike on a 5/8" drift. The oil came out in a hurry and no matter how careful I was to wrap the coupling in a rag some always managed to land on my clothing or some other place I didn't want it to.

 

[Xfaxman]

I also bought the XBoom QC-Mate The TBN thread is here: Why are hoses hard to connect???

 

[JCoastie]

I bought the Waite hydraulic decompression tool, also too expensive for what it is, but the few times I've needed it, it worked flawlessly. The Waite Hydraulic Decompression Tool - BoltOnHooks LLC

 

[WranglerX]

Umm... This pressure reissue seem to be common for tough to connect hydraulics... Common solution seems to be to tap the ball ends of QD with hammer to relieve the internal pressure in attachment hydraulics Might lose a few drops of fluid but seems to work for many people...

Or there are "tools"...

Hydraulic pressure relief tools - Google Search

www.google.com

 

[Milo]

.....Prior to the purchase of the tool I would relieve the pressure by pushing the pin in the female coupler in with a hammer strike on a 5/8" drift. The oil came out in a hurry.....

I pressed the pin in on the female couplers with a dull screwdriver, which are on the tractor, and when that didn't work is when I guessed the pressure must somehow be in the grapple. Then I started wondering if me pressing the hose when trying to connect the grapple could have caused it somehow?
It's raining today so I don't want to take the tractor out but I'll loosen the connectors and try again in the next day or so when it drys up. I want to thank everyone for your great advice!

 

[Fxfymn413]

The weather cooled overnight so you may be able to get them to connect now before it warms up again.

 

[ericm979]

You can make a fitting with a tee, two quick connects and a valve. Plug it into the grapple when you remove it from the tractor. Use the valve to release the pressure before removing the device and attaching the grapple to the tractor.

I made a couple of these using cheap surplus 300 psi rated valves. The one on the backhoe leaks at the valve. I think a better valve is in order.

 

[xrjohndeere]

I think it would work. Figure it takes a couple of cans to move the needle $20 bucks.

Pack it in ice for $8 dollars should certainly work in an hour or so.

Crack the line, free and immediate.............

I like the idea of packing it in ice. I could throw a six pack in and when it’s gone it should be ready.

 

[dirttoys]

I like the idea of packing it in ice. I could throw a six pack in and when it’s gone it should be ready.

Another senseless drunken grappling accident

I like the way you think,

ed

 

[CobyRupert]

Press the ball ends on something solid and clean to relieve the pressure in the hose.

 

[Milo]

I tried that but the ball ends (male) are on the tractor side which as it turns out is not under pressure, it's the attachment. But thanks to all for your advice, I had to crack both fittings on the grapple to connect them but they're on. I've not had this occur before but knowing my luck it will again so I think I'll order the XBoom QC-Mate just to have on hand.