New grapple - W.R.Long Gladiator

[ning]

Is there a trick to manipulating the hydraulic connectors with a 3rd function diverter valve?
I find that taking the grapple off & putting it on is iffy with the ag connectors because of the pressure in the grapple lines.
Should I swap to flat faced connectors if this bugs me?

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Not sure which ones it is, but mine have a pointed like end. when they are hard to put in I pop the pointed end on the side of the tractor and let some juice loose... Works great for me.

 

[WM75Guy]

Is there a trick to manipulating the hydraulic connectors with a 3rd function diverter valve?
I find that taking the grapple off & putting it on is iffy with the ag connectors because of the pressure in the grapple lines.
Should I swap to flat faced connectors if this bugs me?

I have the same issue with flat faced connectors. Best way I found to avoid it is to turn off the tractor and cycle the hydraulics several times to bleed off any pressure. Still have to crack a hose on the grapple occasionaly to bleed off pressure.

 

[Jtsnow]

I have found keeping the grapple lines connected to each other makes a big difference when not in use.

 

[greenie]

72 years old with 21 acres I've been trying to keep clean and 4-5 cords of firewood every year. I had reached the point where I couldn't cut, haul and burn brush due to my age. The Gladiator 56" grapple might be my solution. Looking to buy a Kubota L4760 HST (2017 with 700 hours) , taking the winch from my JD 790. We have a few stands of white pine and competition leaves a lot of smaller dead pines that were too big to burn. This should work well. Very good timing and I like hearing how many folks get good use from their grapples.

 

[JeepHead]

When I install my grapple, I shut the tractor off and cycle the valve to relieve all system pressure. I always keep the grapple hoses connected to each other when it's off the tractor. I have never had a single issue with connecting the grapple this way.

 

[Doug Vee]

72 years old with 21 acres I've been trying to keep clean and 4-5 cords of firewood every year. I had reached the point where I couldn't cut, haul and burn brush due to my age. The Gladiator 56" grapple might be my solution. Looking to buy a Kubota L4760 HST (2017 with 700 hours) , taking the winch from my JD 790. We have a few stands of white pine and competition leaves a lot of smaller dead pines that were too big to burn. This should work well. Very good timing and I like hearing how many folks get good use from their grapples.

A couple of years ago I bought a EA 60" grapple to use on my Kubota L48. It works great for me. The only downside is that when down close to the ground I cannot see the very bottom corners. I have gotten used to it, but it would still be nice to see the corners. Just something you may want to consider.

Doug

 

[dstig1]

Hydraulic connectors all seem to suffer from this. I made a bracket for a clamp to help. I can often get one of them to connect or very close and then use the clamp to pull it closed. But I also turn the tractor off and then back on to the first position (electricals on, engine off) and then I cycle the diverter a few times to relieve pressure. When I am fighting a connection, I get the clamp on it, squeeze it a bit, go back and cycle the diverter, go back and add more clamp pressure, repeat until it clicks on. I later found out someone makes a similar tool from a bar clamp that you can buy. It would be better on a bar clamp as the jaws sometimes want to spin on the pipe.

 

[Bendboater]

72 years old with 21 acres I've been trying to keep clean and 4-5 cords of firewood every year. I had reached the point where I couldn't cut, haul and burn brush due to my age. The Gladiator 56" grapple might be my solution. Looking to buy a Kubota L4760 HST (2017 with 700 hours) , taking the winch from my JD 790. We have a few stands of white pine and competition leaves a lot of smaller dead pines that were too big to burn. This should work well. Very good timing and I like hearing how many folks get good use from their grapples.

I'm a new, first time, grapple owner.
I used to cut, haul, and burn limbs and brush on my property too.
These past three weeks, I used the grapple (and a new dump trailer) to haul everything (except logs that I will process into firewood) to the dump (free yard debris dumping during most of May here). Hauled away 8 well compressed (grapple is great for compressing brush and branches) loads for a total of ~64 yards (~8 yards/load). No way could I have gotten rid of so much material in that period of time by burning.
For me, the grapple and dump trailer has been a game changer.
Oh yea, the grapple does a pretty good job picking up pine needles too.....especially if you rake them into piles first.

 

[polarred21]

For my new Massey GC subcompact, I have researched grapples for years and will make the purchase when I have time. Local to me there is a WR Long 48" grapple for $2400. I realize they had to put the cylinders on top due the narrow width, but the hose install looks gawdy and needs more protection. I won't rule it out but for $500 less and I get the Catawba.