Anyone changed their hydraulic cylinders on their grappler for more grab.

[Smokeydog]

I have a Hawse dual lid rock/ brush grapple.
It had 1/4 or 3/8 hoses on it when I bought it, (I dont remember exactly which at the moment) I am operating the clamps with lines running from my rear remote instead of a 3rd function.
Awhile back I damaged ine of the hoses on the left lid and had new hoses made for BOTH lines on the left cylinder out of 1/2 inch because they are heavier and less floppy than the smaller ones and figured I would do the same with the right side when the time comes they need replaced.
What I did find out by doing this is that now the left lid operates faster than the left side and seems to clamp harder as well. IE, the left lid closes fully faster than the right side and also opens faster.
So for what its worth, it seems to be more efficient both time wise and clamping force wise that will be even more improved when I replace the other side with 1/2 hose too.

I was using this grapple after the floods in the midwest last year and ev3n with the small lines on it, I could pick up two couches sitting side by side from the ends with the rest of them sticking 6 feet past the grapple and clamp them down, crush the ends and lift them into the dumprtucks without losing any clamping force. Same for 2 refrigerators lifted in the same manner.

With different size lines you are seeing the difference of internal resistance of flow giving a pressure drop thus speed and reactions difference between the two lids. The speed and reaction difference is not surprising. The clamping strength is directly from the cylinders pressure. While the speed will vary with flow difference, when deadheaded (no flow) both cylinders should see the same pressure.

If you double the line size you increase the flow four times.

By first grapple was run by rear remotes. Third function on tractor loaders were rare back then. Two 1/2” lines 12’ long needed to reach from back to front. Tractor hydraulics capacities have increase in 30 years too.

 

[nextofkin]

I am having the same problem with my single lid grappler will not hold as tight as by BC-4000 Brush crusher, it has a 2" cylinder on it the cylinders on the front end loader are 2.5" diameter witch works the BC-4000, when I try to pick a log up sometimes it holds and sometimes it don't the grappler has the same size metal holding the lid on as the BC-4000 uses to hold on the loader and operate it (1" pin) I'm going to change my 2" cylinder to a 2.5" or 3" cylinder have not decided yet, found this form to try to get a answer about the size of the cylinders. Now the BC-4000 works great but they are a pain in the well you know where to change to the buckit that's why I went with a grappler.

 

[lennyzx11]

On a related note. Please see this link.


Pressure Intensification In Hydraulic Cylinders | Hydraulics & Pneumatics

 

[homesteader13]

On a related note. Please see this link.


Pressure Intensification In Hydraulic Cylinders | Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Thank you for sharing, that was very informative and simple to understand.

It got me to thinking and went out to look at the cylinders on my FEL, and the way that they are mounted makes sense as to lift , lower curl forward amd back, due to more 'force' in one direction than the other.