IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 15,802
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
Three basic options:
1) use rear remotes: need to remove hand from FEL joystick to operate lever to open/close grapple. Similar to 4 on the floor manual transmission.
2) diverter valve on FEL: push a button on the joystick and your dump/curl function changes to grapple open/close. You cannot dump/curl and open/close grapple at the same time.
3) electric over hydraulic: true third function. Button on joystick allows you to operate grapple independent of dump/curl so you can dump and open grapple simultaneously.
#1: if you have rear remotes then this is a no brainer starter solution as it will cost only the price of a few quick connects and thirty or so feet of 3/8 inch hydraulic hose with end fittings all of which can be procured for under $100-150. If you don't have a set of rear remotes then adding them can be either a $350-500 DIY project on an afternoon or an additional $200-300 to have a dealer do it.
#2: kits from WRLong cost in the range of $500-600 and again can be user installed without difficulty. Dealer install adds probably $200. Not a big deal to switch back and forth between grapple and dump/curl. Very rare to need to do both simultaneously.
#3 Kits from WRLong cost closer to $900 as I recall (haven't checked for a while). Again, possible to install yourself or have a dealer do it for you. This is the most flexible option.
I've used both rear remotes and diverter valve to control my grapple. Frankly I prefer the rear remote of those two but they are both just fine. Next time I would either just stick with the rear remote or go all the way to "true third function" electric over hydraulic setup. I may be in the minority but I don't see the real benefit of a diverter valve so long as the control lever for the rear remote is easily reached. My issue with the diverter is not the lack of true third function but rather that when working quickly I sometimes inadvertently open/close the grapple while switching back to dump/curl bucket etc.
1) use rear remotes: need to remove hand from FEL joystick to operate lever to open/close grapple. Similar to 4 on the floor manual transmission.
2) diverter valve on FEL: push a button on the joystick and your dump/curl function changes to grapple open/close. You cannot dump/curl and open/close grapple at the same time.
3) electric over hydraulic: true third function. Button on joystick allows you to operate grapple independent of dump/curl so you can dump and open grapple simultaneously.
#1: if you have rear remotes then this is a no brainer starter solution as it will cost only the price of a few quick connects and thirty or so feet of 3/8 inch hydraulic hose with end fittings all of which can be procured for under $100-150. If you don't have a set of rear remotes then adding them can be either a $350-500 DIY project on an afternoon or an additional $200-300 to have a dealer do it.
#2: kits from WRLong cost in the range of $500-600 and again can be user installed without difficulty. Dealer install adds probably $200. Not a big deal to switch back and forth between grapple and dump/curl. Very rare to need to do both simultaneously.
#3 Kits from WRLong cost closer to $900 as I recall (haven't checked for a while). Again, possible to install yourself or have a dealer do it for you. This is the most flexible option.
I've used both rear remotes and diverter valve to control my grapple. Frankly I prefer the rear remote of those two but they are both just fine. Next time I would either just stick with the rear remote or go all the way to "true third function" electric over hydraulic setup. I may be in the minority but I don't see the real benefit of a diverter valve so long as the control lever for the rear remote is easily reached. My issue with the diverter is not the lack of true third function but rather that when working quickly I sometimes inadvertently open/close the grapple while switching back to dump/curl bucket etc.