For ANYONE who has installed the WRLONG 3rd Function valve KIT

[Piston]

Hey guys,
I bought my L4610 a birthday present (not for me I swear:laughing
I am HAPPY to report that I ordered a WR LONG 64" open bottom grapple from WR LONG about 2 weeks ago. I also ordered the valve kit with the 'extras' such as quick connect fittings and brackets and all that fun stuff.

I asked a question on here about how to add the 3rd function valve, and through that thread I decided on the WR Long Kit. I am waiting for the grapple and valve kit to arrive at my dealer, I am hoping it arrives very soon because I was planning on using it this FRIDAY

It is taking a bit longer to get due to high sales by WR Long, which is great for them and tells you something about their product. :thumbsup: I just hope it gets here sooooooon.

My question to anyone who has installed one of these valves, is...
Should I DO IT?

I am very mechanically inclined but don't know much about hydraulics, well I didn't, I sort of do now through reading tons of threads on the subject, however I should say I don't have any EXPERIENCE with hydraulics

I don't mind doing the work and would probably have fun, the thing is, I'm also having my tires filled so I have to bring the tractor to the dealer anyways. I figure while they are filling the tires, they can be installing the valve.

I would rather work with the grapple than install the valve and then work with the grapple, the price of installation is within reason for me.

How long did it take you to do it? If it's something I could do in say 3 hrs or so, I think I will do it myself, but if it takes a full day then I'll have them do it.

I'm sure it's one of those things that once you do it once you could do it again in no time, but most likely i'll only have to do it once. Any thoughts fellow TBNers?

 

[eazyduzzit]

I have learned over the years that I usually do a better job on my own stuff than someone else does. Every time I've ever hired "an expert", I always find something half done.

I know a guy who used to be a Cadillac mechanic, and he bragged about how much he could beat the book time on almost every job. I asked him how he did it, and he honestly said "Have you ever seen how many bolts they put in everything anymore. They don't need half that many".

 

[bradm64]

I had mine installed by the dealer. I am comfortable I could have done it myself, but decided at the time there were other things I needed to spend my time on that were more valuable (at least to me) than doing the installation.

Incidentally, I have been very happy with the grapple. We had an ice storm here in 2009 and have lost a ton of trees, and I am still picking up hangers that finally fall. The grapple has really been useful.

Good luck and, this is just :2cents:

 

[bigtiller]

I know a guy who used to be a Cadillac mechanic, and he bragged about how much he could beat the book time on almost every job. I asked him how he did it, and he honestly said "Have you ever seen how many bolts they put in everything anymore. They don't need half that many".

My dealer charges his labor by the hour and they put every bolt back in. Twice I think sometimes. :laughing:

 

[tulenutn2o]

My dealer charges his labor by the hour and they put every bolt back in. Twice I think sometimes. :laughing:

We must have the same dealer!:laughing:

 

[IslandTractor]

I have one of those WRLong valves. I did not install it but having seen the installation I can attest that the ONLY tricky part is making sure you line up the hoses with the correct ports then route and connect a few wires. There is virtually nothing else to it. The electric installation is a simple switch. For the hydraulics, so long as you don't confuse IN with OUT and have access to the valve installation directions and your tractor's hydraulic map I cannot imagine it would be difficult.

I should add that while NPT connections are pretty simple and fool proof (a little Teflon paste or tape then tighten as tightly as you can with hand tools) some fittings with JIC connectors (such as on some hydraulic rams) require a bit more finesse as it is possible to damage them by over tightening. I seem to recall that all the connectors on the WRLong valve are NPT so that should not be an issue.

 

[nealfris]

First, Piston thanks for starting this thread. I to have been researching for my novice install of 3rd function/grapple and also extra rear remotes. I still have much to learn before I leap.
I am wondering a few things; The WR Long kit seams to be the way to go, as I would like the elec. switch on the joy stick. Can it and other items be ordered direct from Long? How much is the kit? How much was the grapple? I've read about disasters with miss matched fittings and such when delivered. Did ordering 3rd function and grapple at the same time elevate problems or do you have to quiz them on every fitting? Does the Long kit have power beyond to reconnect my backhoe?

 

[JohninCT]

Ted from Everything Attachments has a video on installation of a 3rd function valve that gives a pretty good explanation of what's involved.

YouTube - How To Series - 3rd Function Auxiliary Hydraulics for Tractor Loaders

 

[Piston]

Thanks for all the info guys. It seems like it's pretty straight forward and I think I'll give it a shot myself. I would rather just pick up the tractor and be done with it but at the same time I would like to learn how everything is put together, at least that way I would have a better idea of how to replace something if anything goes wrong in the future.
I really like my dealer and I think they would do a good job of installing the kit, they've been very helpful with me in the past. I talk with the owner each time I call and as far as the valve kit goes, he didn't try convincing me to have them install it, instead just gave me his opinion which is very similar to yours, basically if I'm mechanically inclined and want to spend some time doing it, then I could do it myself and save some money.
I like to think I'm mechanically inclined. :laughing:

....I am wondering a few things; The WR Long kit seams to be the way to go, as I would like the elec. switch on the joy stick. Can it and other items be ordered direct from Long? How much is the kit? How much was the grapple? I've read about disasters with miss matched fittings and such when delivered. Did ordering 3rd function and grapple at the same time elevate problems or do you have to quiz them on every fitting? Does the Long kit have power beyond to reconnect my backhoe?

Neal, I was wondering the exact things you were about how the heck do all these hydraulic things work on tractors I learned a great deal by a thread I posted here, it might help you out too.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/192676-adding-3rd-function-valve-top.html
In fact, I am going to reread that thread when I'm done here...

Also, I haven't received the grapple and valve kit yet so I can't give any sort of review yet, I hope to when I get it though. You can't order directly through Long, only a dealer. I went through Ahearn Power Equipment in Spencer MA. They aren't the closest dealer to me but I like the way I'm treated over there so I use them. Also I find they're prices better. I'm not sure how far Marshfield is from Spencer?
I got the 64" wide grapple, it was 1800 including shipping. The valve kit will be about 750 which includes quick disconnects and all mounting hardware, you can get it cheaper if you just buy the basic kit.
I don't know about the fittings, I'm hoping they are all correct :laughing:
I can't answer the PB question?

Also, I specified that I had the Kubota pin on type quick attach and they are making my grapple to fit that system. You can get the skidsteer version if that is what you have or probably something different. If I'm as happy with my grapple as I am with the LONG/AHEARN relationship then I will have nothing but positive things to say. You can find cheaper ones if you want/need.

 

[billfires]

The only thing I can add to this thread is NOT to use teflon tape on any part of a hydraulic system. If I remember correctly, if the tape breaks off it can cause problems with the valves. Pipe dope is ok. Bill C