BX25 GrappleOmatic

[Artisan]

Wnc3, thanx for the comments and yep, that was the plan to use four
hoses but once I got my fittings today, and after looking at things again,
and realizing I might be able to pull off routing the hoses thru the lower
cylinder pin area, I went for it, and I think it is going to live, and if so,
it keeps this mod in the KISS zone, which I was shooting for,
so that others can do the same. I get a lot out of this list, I am payin' it
forward.

I had a blast building this. I would love to build another.
If anyone wants this set up I would sell it, then I would build
me another one EXACTLY like it. Muhahahaha :laughing:

 

[k0ua]

You do very good work.. Very nice and neat..:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[Artisan]

Well, James Cameron I am not and WYSIWYG from my iphone but here
is a little vidoe of the first run!

BX25-GRAPPLE-WITH-FASSE-DIVERTER-VALVE.MOV - YouTube

 

[CHDinCT]

Beautiful. Very professional job Artisan. I anxiously await your materials and cost list before I decide whether to make the plunge, or just buy your set up maybe (if your serious)!

One question though. You did not put quick connects in the grapple cylinder circuit so are you planning to leave it mounted all the time?

 

[Artisan]

RE: Quick Disconnects, you know, I looked at it, and and decided when
I get an accessory that needs QD's I will simply screw them on at that time.

I own a Weatherhead T-450 crimper so no biggie. I think I would mount
them at the top of the bucket, where the hoses exit from under the
lower curl cylinder pin mount.

Everything I own is for sale... Sure I would sell it but we won't be giving it
away at bargain prices! That's a full blown BADFAB custom job by Artisan!

I am not done w/ it, I need to find some proper sleeving for the hose, a few
more tele-ties are needed and some good prolonged testing. :laughing: The way I
did that the hose, it is somewhat vulnerable during backdragging w/ the curl
up, and w/ a BX25 that way gets best results for smooth. I will prob sleeve
it w/ something substancial, maybe some rubber hose, maybe weld on a guard, I dunno, I haven't engineered it yet.

Yes I will get a list going, when I have time, right now the biz phone is
ringing and gotta go!

 

[Harry in Ky]

Just for the heck of it, why not run a length of hose down the left side of the loader boom, tie it in place just above the bucket pin, and see how long it would need to be in order to reach the grapple cylinder fittings. You could tie it in place there, cycle the bucket and grapple a few times and see if it would be less vulnerable to dragging the ground or rubbing against the bucket cylinder. Might be better, might be worse. A hard pipe down the boom with a 90 near the bucket pivot is another thought. The last one I did, I used a section of nylon fabric sleeve over both hoses near the grapple cylinder. It worked really well, giving the hoses plenty of room to move and flex, while providing just enough stiffness that the hoses didn't try to sag or get hung up on pins and such.

 

[Artisan]

Thanx Harry,
I think for now I am gonna go with plan alpha and leave the hoses where
they fell into place. I do need to protect them, from chaffing, as in them
rubbing against each other, and possible violation if I backdrag with the
bucket curled up. I was just looking at different kinds of wraps. Maybe
a nice tight fitting Nylon mesh over each hose individually and then add
on top of that the spiral wound rounded edge plastic protection I am seeing.

I have read where folks bock at the idea of slipping something like heater
hose clear over the hydraulic hoses but indeed they will catch and hold water
where there is a trap. Heck, maybe do that and fill it w/ hydraulic fluid so water can't replace that! Hydraulic fluid won't hurt the outside of the hose ,I think?

 

[Harry in Ky]

No, you cant do that. Heater hose won't stand up to oil, it turns to jelly. Stick with something that's made for hose protection, you're far better off.

 

[Artisan]

No, you cant do that. Heater hose won't stand up to oil, it turns to jelly. Stick with something that's made for hose protection, you're far better off.

Gotcha 10-4

 

[ryan08]

Pretty cool video. Looks handy for sure.