Get a Grip

PineRidge · Feb 22, 2005

One thing Mark at CCM pointed out to me is to be sure you have a right angle adapter between the orifice and the hose because the jet flow of fluid will eventually bore a hole in the walls of hydraulic hoses. I think it would take awhile to do that, but I've found Mark doesn't say things unless he has a reason.


Jim, I have heard that mentioned before also but decided to test the theory. My restrictor is installed straight in line with one of the grapple hoses. This particular hose has a bit of excess so I figured that if the hose ruptured as a result of the restrictor then I could easily cut off the damaged end and have a new connector crimped into place and then deal with the location of the restrictor itself. I'm betting a failure won't occur in my lifetime but I could be wrong here too.

Henro · Feb 22, 2005

I have heard that mentioned before also but decided to test the theory. 

Mike, I remember CCM's post on that and it was more than a theory. It was experience they had with something (forget what) where a number of the same items came back with hole/leaks in hydraulic hoses, and the cause was traced to the hose being cut internally by the fluid shooting out of the oriface hole, sort of like high pressure water can cut steel plate.

Anyway, it might have been due to a bend in the hose right after the oriface. If your setup is straight, and the high pressure stream does not directly hit the hose material, and the energy is dissipated within the fluid in the hose, you should have no problems I would bet.

have_blue · Feb 22, 2005

Boy JinMan, that bucket/grapple would have saved me weeks of sweaty, back-breaking work when I cleared my land. I nearly ruined my knees clearing 8 acres of briar thickets, brush, and arm to leg sized trees. Nice picture story too.

bczoom · Feb 22, 2005

( You can't fool me, based on the first picture I think that's a reused porch swing. Looked quite comfortable too, until you bolted that extra stuff on it. Now it's ruined as a traveling commfy chair.)

Cliff,

Still looks like a comfy chair to me! Heck, I just got back from riding the Hulk roller coaster down in Universal, Orlando. This looks similar. I look at it as Jim's bench/chair now has a sholder strap for safely riding out front.

Jim - What a great setup. Very well done. Put me in the "jealous" category with the rest of the posters.

Brian

jinman · Feb 22, 2005

( My guess is, you won't be taking the grapple off very often. )

 Neal: I think you are right. The only reason I see for taking it off is if it's in the way when I'm actually using the rock bucket for rocks. I'll leave the grapple base and beam attached and just remove the cylinder and jaws. As a matter of fact, when I get ready to mount the grapple onto my loader bucket, I'll probably see if Andy will sell me just the base. That way I can leave a base permanently installed on two buckets and just move the jaws and cylinder as needed. That's an advantage of a small, lightweight grapple. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

tc35dforme · Mar 7, 2005

Jinman, To say I'm jealous is an understatement. Nice work.

A bit off topic, but....have you posted any details of that toolbox and how you mounted it up above the fuel tank ??

I'm thinking that's something I can use and afford /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

have_blue · Mar 7, 2005

(
Still looks like a comfy chair to me! Heck, I just got back from riding the Hulk roller coaster down in Universal, Orlando. This looks similar. I look at it as Jim's bench/chair now has a sholder strap for safely riding out front.

Jim - What a great setup. Very well done. Put me in the "jealous" category with the rest of the posters.
)

Wonder if Jim would loan it to me for digging 'taters? Looks like it would be fast and gentle on the spuds. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PineRidge · Mar 7, 2005

A bit off topic, but....have you posted any details of that toolbox and how you mounted it up above the fuel tank ??


Don't know how Jim mounted his tool box but this is how we solved the problem. toolbox

jinman · Mar 7, 2005

( A bit off topic, but....have you posted any details of that toolbox and how you mounted it up above the fuel tank ??

I'm thinking that's something I can use and afford .
)

I didn't know if I was gonna slip that by without anyone noticing or not. I just got tired of not having a good toolbox and decided to give this simple solution a try. It's an Irwin brand toolbox I bought at Home Depot. The thing is 26" wide and is nearly a perfect fit between the ROPs uprights. I used some old rubber bedliner (1/4" thick) under the toolbox to kinda pad the top of the gas tank. There were brackets on the sides of the toolbox just right for me to use more U-bolts in addition to the ones on the grapple. I'll post a few pictures to show how I mounted the box. I really like this box because it sheds water and has no holes to leak water down into the box. Heck! If I was diggin' tators with Have_Blue, I'd be able to put about 25# in this box. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

jinman · Mar 7, 2005

The only problem with the toolbox is it is so big some of my rear view is blocked. I keep my seat adjusted high when boxblading in reverse so I can see what I'm doing. It's not bad, but I don't have the clear view of everything as I had before.