going to put on a grapple - need guidance

[Zebrafive]

I would find out what the hydraulics under the seat is. My guess is PB, Power Beyond if it was for a tree spade. If it is PB that could be used to add multiple hydraulic valves.

 

[Rackluster]

wow! you all are great. i've been on various forums over the years and i have to say you are the best at going out of their way to help others.

You're slowly building up my confidence. i'm going to look at the tractor this weekend to see if does have power beyond. it sounds like it based on the little research i've done. how do i know for sure, just by the fact that it's split off before the 3pt?

thanks again!

 

[Piston]

If it is power beyond, there will be a 'jumper hose' connecting the two ports.

If there is no jumper hose in the two ports, and you still have two ports there, then I'm not really sure what it is? Someone with more experience will have to chime in.

If you did have a jumper hose there, and disconnected it, then started the tractor, bad things will happen, so don't do that

In a real basic sense, picture your hydraulic system as a continuous loop that is always pumping fluid, regardless if your using valves or not. Pretend you could cut your hydraulic supply line (the pressurized hoses from the hyd pump) with scissors, you will now have two ends that need to somehow be connected, in order to get your system working again. You could just simply 'tape' them back together with duct tape and complete the loop again, and your back to normal. This is essentially what your jumper hose does.

When you want to run a backhoe or log splitter, you would simply disconnect your jumper hose (with the tractor off and pressure bled) and connect the two (supply and return) hoses from your back hoe or log splitter.

Of course, you can't cut your hoses with scissors or duct tape it back together, but just for example, not sure if that makes sense or makes it more confusing :laughing:

Power beyond is really a very simple idea, and pretty basic in operation.

If my description doesn't help, type this into google:
"what is power beyond site:www.tractorbynet.com"
without the quotes of course, this will search ONLY tbn.

 

[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 EA'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. I also was interested in the difference between the WR Long vs the EA's Electric over Hydraulic kits', for a grapple, if there is anyone with experience with both. Given the installation, (I intend to mount the valve body with a bracket) is there any reason to consider using hardlines, up to the QC point, at the very front of the loader? (where the grapple would attach) (longer service life, less chaffing, etc)

 

[Rackluster]

Thanks for all the info piston. Sold the tractor. Now to find a way to get a grapple on the new 3032.

 

[Piston]

Thanks for all the info piston. Sold the tractor. Now to find a way to get a grapple on the new 3032.

Jason, I'm a little confused, so you sold the 950 but bought a 3032? If you just bought a new tractor, it's actually a mandatory law that you have to post a pic of it, sorry. :laughing:

Swmich42,
Not sure how big the smallest rocks you will be trying to move are, but you might want to think about getting extra tines welded in to the grapple. This will of course add a little bit more weight but at least all the rocks won't fall through the tines. ALthough, if you are planning on moving small rocks then an open bottom grapple may not be a great tool. My tines are spaced at 9" apart, I am going to add another tine in between each one and make the spacing 4.5". Mostly because I move around firewood and the splits will fall through the 9" openings.

Although, if your moving some boulders with FEL forks they must be pretty large.

What is EA? I'm not familiar with that. You might want to think about starting a new thread with some more specific information/questions and we could help you out better. :thumbsup:

 

[Rackluster]

Haha. I don't have the tractor yet. Waiting for the rear hydraulics to get installed. Will definitely upload pics when I pick it up.

 

[foggy1111]

The important thing on all these small tractors and loaders is to keep the grapple weight down.....so you have some capacity left with your loader. The markham/gator/wildcat 48" grapples have worked well for so many of us. I have a markham/gator and have extra tines added between the teeth. Works good.

I operate my grapple of the 3rd function remotes and the SCV on the tractor. I have the JD hardlines kit that takes the couplers to the front....but hoses could work well too. I like it fine...and have no issues with operating via the SCV.

There are lots of threads on grapples. Use the search function for hours of reading. :thumbsup:

 

[JD 4520]

Foggy - I just ordered a 3rd function kit complete with hard lines and will be installing it soon. Not having done this before, I would love to see close up pictures of your connections and 3rd function valves and anything else that I may encounter installing this. It looks straight forward but not having messed with hydraulics before a picture is worth a thousand words as the saying goes.

 

[swmich42]

JD4520, I am interested in the 3rd funtion kit you ordered, with "hard" lines, as you describe. I have looked over the 3rd function kits from WR long and Everything Attachments, both of which have flexible hydraulic lines going to the front of the loader, from the 3rd function valve body. Where company did you order your kit from?