Grapple Electric over Hydraulic Kits

[swmich42]

Piston, I appreciate the information you have assembled on this site. Very informative. I too feel as though a grapple for my 2000 JD 4700, with 400CX would greatly speed the process of my project. (buildng seawall with large boulders, then with rock/rip-rap behind these larger boulders, and eventually feathering into the lawn) Right now, I planned to use either my forks, and or the bucket. (both from EverythingAttachment's)

I wanted opinions on using the FEL with grapple, and the speed it would afford to this type of job, as opposed to the forks/bucket method. The size of the rocks are 18"-36" boulders in front, with 3"-12" sized rocks (rip/rap) to fill behind the larger boulders.

I also was interested in the difference between the WR Long vs Everything Attachment's Electric over Hydraulic kits', for a grapple, if there is anyone with experience with both.

Given the installation, (I prefer to mount the valve body with a bracket, instead of welding it in place) is there any reason to consider using hardlines, up to the QC point, at the very front of the loader? {instead of the flexible hydraulic hoses sold (included) with these kits} (between the valve body, and where the grapple would attach to hydraulics) (longer service life, less chaffing, etc)

I have attached a picture of the project I intend to create. The challenge, and advice I was seeking, was to identify best method to get these boulders down a 20% slope, and approx. 100' from where the truck will be able to deliver them.

 

[brin]

Here is what I am considering since I need a grapple...With this grapple you drop you bucket, no new hydraulics needed it installs right over your loader arms and to the cylinders ...no hoses..nothing and the Model 4000 I am considering is $1,285...which is cheap when compared to other options in grapples and all the labor .plus using this you lose the bucket weight and get more lifting capacity.Front-End Loaders by Westendorf: Front-End Loaders by Westendorf: loader for tractor, shade canopy, wagons, manure & landscaping equipment.

 

[schoolsout]

J.J. Brings up a good point.

I have never felt the need to feather my grapple on anything I've picked up, however, if you may need to, the 3rd function won't allow it as he pointed out.

I want to mention something about my 3rd function valve. On some tractors it won't actually allow you to use all three functions at once, as it should. I don't know why my tractor won't, but it won't. So what I'm saying is, I cant use curl, lift, and close grapple at once. Everything is hooked up correctly and I've spoken with Nelson about this (for a long time, and I was very happy with how much he looked into it for me) however for some reason it just doesn't do the true third function.

My point is, you may be better off getting the cheaper selector switch, since for me, I basically have the identical functions as a selector since I can't use the 3 at the same time anyways. I think I either started a thread on this or had some PM's back and forth with people about it. I could dig it up if anyone is interested. I've verified that my installation was correct, but just something to think about.

Has anyone else run into this?

We have the WR Long and it does the same as yours. Can't raise/lower/curl while operating 4n1 bucket. Hasn't been a problem yet, but it would be nice to be able to do it as I catch myself trying from time to time.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

If anyone is interested, I am now selling an electric diverter kit. It has everything except the hoses and quick connects. In other words the diverter, all electrical and momentary button switch, 12 fittings, 6 straight adapters & 6-90s (only 6 required)to get connected to the diverter itself with std off the shelf hoses. $335 + shipping. :thumbsup:

 

[Waltert]

I have a grapple on my loader bucket I use all the time to move and place boulders, it works great. I made the grapple myself for about $300 clams, I also have a Versatech grapple root rake which works better for digging/rolling boulder out of th e ground, I got the versatech for $1100. I have a Kubota L4400, 2012 MX5100 will be here next week I am trading my 4400 on.

 

[J_J]

Piston, maybe I can answer the question why you can not use the 3rd functin at the same time for grapple work.

If the FEL valve is first valve in series, and you max out the cyl, the 3rd function will get no fluid.

If you feather the FEL valve then you can use what is left over from the FEL valve.

If your tractor had 10 GPM, and

If you added a needle valve in the curl and lift circuit and adjusted for 5 GPM, then the 3rd function would also get 5 GPM at the same time you were using the curl or lift. If you were not using any FEL hyd, the 3rd function would get 10 GPM flow.

Even with the diverter/selector valve, it is either curl or grapple.

http://www.wrlonginc.com/Hyd DO3B Flow Diagram.pdf