Adding a grapple to a 3x20 series

[ACKBill]

I'm with MiniMax, 3520 w/4 in 1 on a 300cx. Works like a champ, but then again, I'm not handling lots of brush or logs (mostly earth-work). I have used mine for brush etc. a number of times but if that was the main use of my machine I think I would go with a conventional bucket and a seperate grapple.

BILL

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

How is the function of the grapple/4 in 1 controled? I haven't seen anything too impressive on mounting of additional manifolds. What does the 4 in1 (stock) come with for controling the additional bucket function? Pics would be very helpful. I'm also shocked no one claimed ownership of that awesome 3x20 with the bucket grapple. I'd sure like more details on that.

Matt T.

 

[ACKBill]

Matt:

The 4in1 is controlled by the third SCV located on the right side, just forward of the rockshaft control lever. The hoses run underneath from the SCV port at the rear of the tractor to two QC's attached to the same manifold as the rest of the loader hoses. The plumbimg then runs up the loader arms to a pair of QC's on the right arm that you disconnect when you change buckets or implements.

I've seen electronic diverter valves used with the switches located on the loader joystick instead of the lever on the fender. That's probably a better set-up (certainly easier to use) than the lever but JD doesn't do it that way since the third SCV is actually already installed on the 3x20 series tractors. The kit just gets you the plumbing and a lever to work the valve.

All in all, I like the set-up despite it being awkward to use sometimes, although you do get used to it eventually. I've attached 3 photos (hopefully). The first shows the disconnects on the right loader arm, the second shows the location of the 3rd SCV control lever and the third shows the hose ports at the rear of the machine.

BILL

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Isn't that the same ports the backhoe uses? Can you use the backhoe and the 4 in 1 with out disconnecting hoses?

Matt T.

 

[GreenMtns]

Heres a pic of an awesome set up another TBN member has. Maybe he will step forward and claim it and give you the details.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...ES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/JD3520007.jpg

Thanks for the complements guys. That grapple is the best work saver I could ever think of.
It started life on a Kioti CK30. I purchased the grapple from greensmachine on ebay. Greensmachine is very good to work with and the grapple works great. I think on buckets up to 66" wide the single grapple works as well as the double and is a lot lighter resulting in more available lift. It is on sale at this time for about $339. I made the bar that mounts on top of the bucket. You can read about it here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/61144-grapple-fabrication-challenged-folks-like.html?highlight=grapple+fabrication I had installed an ATI Skid Steer mount on the Kioti. That turned out to be one of the best things I did. When I had to trade tractors I had the JD 3520 delivered with the Skid Steer mount as well. I did not trade the grapple bucket so it mounted on the 3520 in 30 seconds. Since the 3520 had the 3rd SVC installed I added the third function hydraulic kit to the bucket and was in business. The only thing I did not like about the kit was when the lines where disconnected in the back they just hung there.
I ordered a mounting bracket from the diverter kit and installed it on the left side. I made up a set of jumpers to use when the grapple is used and I can remove them and have the 3rd SVC for other services.
Here are some pictures of the setup.
Al

Grapple mount on bucket

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Redesigned rear hydraulic connection with jumpers mounted

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Grapple in action

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Third function hydraulics at bucket

 

[ACKBill]

Matt:

Yes, you can absolutely use them together. The backhoe uses the highflow power beyond(?) ports and the 4in1 works off the low flow 3rd SCV ports (different connections). If you check out dirtworks set-up, he doubled up the manifold so that the hoses feeding the grapple are fixed in a manifold and then he simply uses jumpers to liven-up the grapple or he has the ports available to run whatever he wants without having any lengths of loose hose flopping around (he does not have the high flow ports for a hoe as his is a cab tractor if I remember correctly). I really like his set-up but untill I have the time to do that I simply tuck the unused hoses back under the seat & secure them with a bungee to keep them from flopping around or getting in the way when I am mounting the backhoe or other attachments.

BILL

 

[dirtworksequip]

Al, you have one of the best JD 3520's set up I've seen so far. Great tractor combo.

Sincerely,
Dirt

 

[IslandTractor]

Look at our Grapples on ebay.

eBay: Universal Grapple John Deere Kubota Skid Steer Tractor (item 260079779651 end time Jan-31-07 19:57:00 PST)

FYI to JD owners. As GreenMtns pointed out, this ebay dealer is not exactly truthful. The orange tractor in his ebay listing photo is my Kioti CK20 with a Millonzi 48" light duty root grapple. He must have downloaded one of my photos from TBN. It is certainly not what the ebay dealer represents (a bucket grapple arm!!! ).

If you'd like the contact info for the Millonzi grapple, one of the Millonzi guys, Joe has a TBN account and answers PMs pretty quickly: Joe@MI is his user name.

Thanks again to GreenMtns for bringing this to our attention. I will certainly steer clear of this particular ebay dealer.

 

[cous261]

Might want to check out these rakes as they are tuff and I highly recommend them.

 

[RollTideRam]

Looks nice, I wonder how much the small one weighs. At 5' it is probably too big for my 2520. JC