Loader Adding a grapple to my DK45SE

[brin]

You can use rear remotes if you have them on your tractor. As you have a DK45se you must have at least one set in the rear. It is controlled with the spring loaded lever that is to the right of the FEL joystick. That will allow you to "feather" the hydraulic flow so you can slowly or quickly open or clamp the grapple.

As you have a set of remotes just hook it up to the grapple cylinder by running a couple of 3/8 inch hydraulic lines under the tractor, up the FEL post and to the grapple. You'll need 1/2 inch Pioneer style fittings for the rear remote connection plus adapters to the 3/8 hose. At the front of the tractor you'll need another two sets of connectors for the hose and for the grapple. Lots of descriptions of how to do this on TBN so just search. Takes about thirty minutes and costs about $100 in hoses and fittings.

To get a simple grapple bucket kit, check out "Add A Grapple" or ATI as they both sell nice bolt on kits. You can also just obtain just the upper jaw (the grapple part with hydraulic cylinder) from ebay and then weld or bolt it on to your bucket directly. Just reinforce the bucket mount area.

Thanks Island Tractor..

I have a NH- TC -29 with a NH 7308 FEL with a 68" bucket...it only has an 800 lb. lifting capacity to full height..1,700 lb. break out...So my question is co I have to add more hydraulic connections or can I plumb into the existing hydrualic connections for the FEL...and as you point out , to keep the weight down all I want is " To get a simple grapple bucket kit, check out "Add A Grapple" or ATI as they both sell nice bolt on kits. You can also just obtain just the upper jaw (the grapple part with hydraulic cylinder) from ebay and then weld or bolt it on to your bucket directly. Just reinforce the bucket mount area. " > This is just what I would like but the hydraulics have me on hold...Thanks again.

I sure don't want to hijack the OP's thread...so I am sorry...

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks Island Tractor..

I have a NH- TC -29 with a NH 7308 FEL with a 68" bucket...it only has an 800 lb. lifting capacity to full height..1,700 lb. break out...So my question is co I have to add more hydraulic connections or can I plumb into the existing hydrualic connections for the FEL.....

You can either install a set of rear remotes or you can buy a diverter valve or electric over hydraulic valve that will link into your FEL hydraulics. If I were in your shoes I'd go the rear remote route as it is usually less money and more importantly you have the ability to use the rear remotes for many different things besides just controlling a grapple. I don't know your tractor specifically but I am almost certain that NH sells a kit to install rear remotes. As I recall from an earlier thread I was shocked at what NH charges for the kit but it would still be less money (and more versatile) than getting a diverter valve kit for your FEL. If you were handy with hydraulics (almost none of us save JJ are) then you could just go to the internet and purchase pieces needed for about a third of what the manufacturers charge for these rear remote kits. I'd say bite the bullet and get the NH kit. Installation, if it is anything like on the Kioti, is a solid afternoon in the garage/barn. Nothing more. I'm sure some other guys with NH tractors have installed a set of rear remotes so you might find more helpful advice in the blue subgroup.

 

[J_J]

What IslandTractor said. However, some of those kits are outrageous, and if one is a little bit handy with tools and gadgets, then he should be able to come up with all the parts to accomplish the task, at a greatly reduced cost.

Essentially for a remote hook up, you need a two lever spool valve with PB, and some hoses and fittings. This small joystick valve from Surplus Hydraulics, will do what you want, and it has PB and float.

Surplus Center - 2 SPOOL COMPACT 10 GPM JOYSTICK CONTROL VALVE

Maybe mount it on your fender or somewhere convenient.

 

[IslandTractor]

What IslandTractor said. However, some of those kits are outrageous, and if one is a little bit handy with tools and gadgets, then he should be able to come up with all the parts to accomplish the task..

JJ leaves out one important "gadget" necessary to add a set if remotes using individually sourced parts: you would also need JJ looking over your shoulder while you ordered the parts. Hydraulics is almost the opposite of welding; there is little coordination or practice necessary and screwing the bits together takes no skill beyond ability to change a spark plug. Getting the right bits and understanding the implications of various options is a real challenge though.

 

[dex3361]

JJ leaves out one important "gadget" necessary to add a set if remotes using individually sourced parts: you would also need JJ looking over your shoulder while you ordered the parts. Hydraulics is almost the opposite of welding; there is little coordination or practice necessary and screwing the bits together takes no skill beyond ability to change a spark plug. Getting the right bits and understanding the implications of various options is a real challenge though.

This true, but that is what JJ and the other TBN hydraulics gurus are for. To help others spend their money oops I mean to steer them in the right direction.

 

[IslandTractor]

This true, but that is what JJ and the other TBN hydraulics gurus are for. To help others spend their money oops I mean to steer them in the right direction.

If you are up for the challenge I would encourage you to order the separate parts from Surplus Supply or other discount site and then install it. It would be a valuable lesson for future TBN users so long as you posted the exact details of what worked. Basically that is all the manufacturers do anyway as none of them actually manufacture hydraulic valves and controls. They just have their own JJ type engineers design a system and then source the parts for a kit. Oh yea, they also multiply cost by about three or four to get MSRP which is what your dealer will charge for the factory kit.

 

[J_J]

Well said.

 

[SSdoxie]

Thanks for all the replies. I have spent the better part of the weekend poking around and looking different grapples. I have thoroughly enjoyed the (Temporarily blocked due to reports of company closure) site . lots of good videos on there. I called those folks this am to get the skinny on a kit. For the dk45se it is $875 (they have two sizes under 15gpm and over 15gpm, the 45se is 16.8 gpm which adds $100 to the junction valve price). I then received a call from my dealer who just quoted me a $4200 + tax price. OUCH. I can only think of the $$$ I am going to save.

Now to figure out which grapple bucket to choose. I am leaning toward the 60" of what ever. I see some that have dual paddles and some that have a single paddle on top. Which is better? At first I thought the single would be sturdier but then got to thinking that when carrying "stuff" that is uneven the split paddle would be better. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Coming into this thread a little late but jsut FYI. The DK45 has 16.8 GPM total gear pump flow, but 6.5 gallon is for steering and Hydro charge pressure if HST. The loader and future grapple are only 10 GPM, so save your extra $100.

 

[dex3361]

If you are up for the challenge I would encourage you to order the separate parts from Surplus Supply or other discount site and then install it. It would be a valuable lesson for future TBN users so long as you posted the exact details of what worked. Basically that is all the manufacturers do anyway as none of them actually manufacture hydraulic valves and controls. They just have their own JJ type engineers design a system and then source the parts for a kit. Oh yea, they also multiply cost by about three or four to get MSRP which is what your dealer will charge for the factory kit.

See what I mean these guys know what they are talking about.:thumbsup:

 

[jake98]

Tractor Grapple for skid steer or frontend loader | eBay

Tractor Grapple for skid steer or frontend loader | eBay

I'm gonna buy one of these just so I can answer the age old 'big or small' question for myself. Could always get two, I suppose..

I bought my bucket forks from these guys, and they're fine. They price things to do business!