Bent my quick attach

woodlandfarms · Jan 3, 2015

Well Frig.

Connected the grapple, in a bit of a hurry. I keep a cable on the grapple (12 foot 3/8" with a clip) to grab logs out of the ravine and such.

Its dark, I knocked a tree down earlier and saddly it got hung up on the way down. Thought I would give it a tug and get it out.

The cable is attached to the right side of the grapple.

A few hard yanks and my grapple pops right off. Actually, it peeled off, left side leaving first, right side momentarily hung up long enough for one curse word.

Righted the ship, re-attached but something didn't feel right. On inspection it appear that I did not fully close the quick attach on the implement. The left arm was secure, the right was not, just kinda hanging.

The QA plate has seen better days. It has had a bow in it since the beginning of my ownership. Now it has a WOW I would say. Still works but unless I can figure a way to flatten 1/2" plate I am pretty sure I am on the phone with Tazwell.

Walkin Horse · Jan 3, 2015

When I first got my qa I when to latch it. As I reached over the forks fell off. From about 3'. Now when I hook up I bounce the attachment to make sure it seated good.

BobRip · Jan 3, 2015

woodlandfarms said:
Well Frig.

Connected the grapple, in a bit of a hurry. I keep a cable on the grapple (12 foot 3/8" with a clip) to grab logs out of the ravine and such.

Its dark, I knocked a tree down earlier and saddly it got hung up on the way down. Thought I would give it a tug and get it out.

The cable is attached to the right side of the grapple.

A few hard yanks and my grapple pops right off. Actually, it peeled off, left side leaving first, right side momentarily hung up long enough for one curse word.

Righted the ship, re-attached but something didn't feel right. On inspection it appear that I did not fully close the quick attach on the implement. The left arm was secure, the right was not, just kinda hanging.

The QA plate has seen better days. It has had a bow in it since the beginning of my ownership. Now it has a WOW I would say. Still works but unless I can figure a way to flatten 1/2" plate I am pretty sure I am on the phone with Tazwell.

Sorry for your loss. I bent mine a little a few years back l. I heated it with an acetylene torch and straightened it on the anvil. Do you have a blacksmith nearby? I think a new one was about $600.

Xfaxman · Jan 3, 2015

I have straightened a lot of bent metal with a bottle jack, short I-beam and chain.

It got bent cold, you can straighten it without heat.

If you have a gooseneck trailer, hook it to the truck and use the jack foot like a hydraulic press works.

Also this would be a good reason to get a hydraulic press.

MossRoad · Jan 3, 2015

I agree with the press. Harbor Freight has them on sale for $154. I've not used a press much in my life, but in the last 6 months I've switched careers and now use a press often to remove bearings, install bearings, straighten bent arms, etc... really handy tool for the shop.

woodlandfarms · Jan 4, 2015

$600? Oh please tell me that aint true. I was thinking like $60 or maybe $160. I can get this smoothed like a pancake at my local machine shop if they want that much.

blueriver · Jan 4, 2015

The implement side or the tractor side? Can u post a picture?

MossRoad · Jan 4, 2015

blueriver said:
The implement side or the tractor side? Can u post a picture?

These quick attach systems are proprietary to Power Trac machines.
The OP states its the QA plate.
That is the male plate that is permanently attached to the FEL arms on all Power Trac machines.
The OP will have to remove a hydraulic cylinder, and several large bolts/pins to remove it from the FEL arms, then have it straightened (or straighten it himself).

MossRoad · Jan 4, 2015

woodlandfarms said:
$600? Oh please tell me that aint true. I was thinking like $60 or maybe $160. I can get this smoothed like a pancake at my local machine shop if they want that much.

No, no... that was a mistake. Your's will be more. hahahaa

Got any pics?

blueriver · Jan 4, 2015

MossRoad said:
These quick attach systems are proprietary to Power Trac machines.
The OP states its the QA plate.
That is the male plate that is permanently attached to the FEL arms on all Power Trac machines.
The OP will have to remove a hydraulic cylinder, and several large bolts/pins to remove it from the FEL arms, then have it straightened (or straighten it himself).

AHHHH !! Thanks for pointing that out.

woodlandfarms · Jan 4, 2015

Sun set on me. Will get pix tomorrow. Sorry Blue, Yeah, in this particular group (powertrac) our machines are really proprietary. Not much swapping with other machines. They are cool (you should get one ;-). Oklahoma would never be the same.

4020deereboy · Jan 4, 2015

I have straightened many hitch on deere loaders by using cylinder donut stops. Putting stops on the short bucket cylinder and slowly retract. it will talk to you.
I twisted the fork frame on my deere and straightened it this way. wont always get metal straight but you can square hitch to work

MuncyBob · Jan 4, 2015

Know anybody with a log splitter? Once the splitting wedge is removed, I can use my splitter as a hydraulic press.

MossRoad · Jan 4, 2015

4020deereboy said:
I have straightened many hitch on deere loaders by using cylinder donut stops. Putting stops on the short bucket cylinder and slowly retract. it will talk to you.
I twisted the fork frame on my deere and straightened it this way. wont always get metal straight but you can square hitch to work

No can do on a Power Trac.

BobRip · Jan 5, 2015

MossRoad said:
No, no... that was a mistake. Your's will be more. hahahaa

Got any pics?

Yes. You have a bigger machine and time has passed.

woodlandfarms · Jan 5, 2015

$180. This is just for the plate and all the tabs, not for the cylinder or any locking parts.

Will get pictures this afternoon.

MossRoad · Jan 5, 2015

Grrrr..... If only the plate is bent, you should be able to remove it and smash it back to flat.

ovrszd · Jan 5, 2015

If you want to straighten it, go over on the Welding forum and post a thread with pics if possible. Shield Arc will hopefully see it. He can teach you how to straighten it with a torch. He's the King of metal works around here.

woodlandfarms · Jan 5, 2015

So here is my problem. Me and my torch have a bad relationship. I have even had my neighbor whom is a master mechanic come give me lessons and I really struggle with it.

But yes, I should be able to straighten it but right now the 180 is easier to deal with than running up to the machine shop and being without my tractor for days (I am slammed with work and with home projects so not a great time for the beast to be down).

Not great logic, I admit.

MossRoad · Jan 5, 2015

That's fine logic. Your time is only free if you don't value it! :laughing:

I value my time at about $25.00 per hour. If something's going to take me 4 hours to do and I can get it done for less than $100, I always consider paying to have it done. However, if its something I would enjoy doing, or would like to learn how to do, I'll do it and consider the cost "tuition" at the School of Good Experience.

In this case, for $180 you get going again soon. And you'll have a spare part to learn some bending and straightening techniques when you get the time. Its pretty obvious you use the heck out of your machine and its highly likely you'll bend it again. So having a spare on the shelf might be a good idea. :thumbsup: