Grapple Bucket Improvement? Power Trac PT425

[Charlie_Iliff]

One of last year's grapple discussions

Did Someone Say Grapple?

Power Trac didn't jump at the chance to market these. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

Having just gotten my new PT Grapple Bucket, I see that they have made a significant improvement by reinforcing the upper jaw with 2" pipe between the teeth.


Except for the poor quality paint, I haven't found anything that needs improvement!


OOPS!! Just remembered!! There is something!!

The hydraulic hoses are both female!! I am going to change one to male so that they can mate, and keep clean, while I'm not using the bucket!!



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[Bob999]

<font color="red"> I am going to change one to male so that they can mate, and keep clean, while I'm not using the bucket!! </font>

You should consider buying protective covers for the connectors. The connectors match the quick attach fittings on the tractor. If you change one you then have to change the connector on the tractor, and that willl require a change to the fitting that connects the quick attach cylinder. Also, if you buy any other attachment from PT that uses this same connection, such as the mini hoe, you would then have to change that.

 

[MossRoad]

Why are they both female? That's just weird. They connect to the quick attach circuit, right? I've never really thought about it, so I'll have to go look at my plow and see if mine are that way, too. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> Why are they both female? </font>

Because they are, that's why, and don't you be asking that kind of question any more, hear? /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Bob999]

<font color="red"> Why are they both female? That's just weird. </font>

I hate to jump in here after Charlie Iliff--but here goes.

A possible explanation is to prevent the user from making an incorrect connection.

The quick attach cylinder connectors are 1/4 inch. I think the case drain line (the third hose) on some attachments like mowers is also 1/4 inch. The arrangement PT uses prevents the user from incorrectly connecting a 1/4 inch connector.

 

[toy]

I don't have a grapple bucket, but on my mini hoe I use covers on the ends of the hoses to keep dirt out. Pt sells them but instead of buying them from them I use chair tips [crutch tips] I believe it takes a 1" rubber tip. It fits snug. I have them tyed on the hoses on the mini hoe. When I get ready to use the hoe I take the tips off hook the hoses up and put the tips over the hoses that goes to the quick attach to keep the dirt out of them. Pretty good set up I think, and not much cost. I think I got 4 for about $1.20 at lowes.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Take a look at the demolition grapple Rockland MFG makes. it looks like a pt grapple but int the front of the grapple teeth it has a plate formed like a dozer blade. It works like a 4 in 1 bucket but not ment to heavy dirt moving. I worked for a company that had one on a D66E Komatsu track loader and one on a WA250 wheel loader. They worked great for building debris and forest clean up. A person could make one that smll fr a PT to that the best part.

 

[MossRoad]

Well, I just checked mine and they are both female connectors. I wonder why? Maybe I should just accept it per Charlie's advice. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I guess this isn't a concern because the only thing that attaches to this circuit is cylinders, not motors. I should have realized that it was set up this way because sometimes the knee lever works in the opposite direction than the last time I used it. So, I must have hooked up the connectors on opposite sides than the last time. Now that I think about it, I think this would be a safety hazzard of some sorts... say you are use to working a mini hoe and then all of a sudden the dump becomes the curl? I'd still consider changing the fittings if I had something other than the plow, now that this has come to my attention. I'd want it to be consistant each time I got on the machine. I could color code the connnectors with paint. That might be cheaper and easier than swapping the fittings.

 

[FOURTEEN]

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"Sorry, Charlie!!"

I should not have been so impertinent as to question the great and powerful PT!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

On second thought ,.!.. PT!! It's my little PT, and I'll customize it any way I see fit!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I plan to change the fittings on the Tractor, the Grapple Bucket, and the Mini Hoe. On the Stump Grinder and Brush Cutter the hoses are already male/ female, which seems smart, not only for correct rotation, but also for cleanliness when not in use. I just don't understand why PT wouldn't use the same arrangement on these other attachments, or at the very least, supply plastic caps!

I will not change the hoses on the Forks or Potato Digger. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I am just cursed with always seeing something that needs to be edited, improved, changed, customized, redesigned, or just plain messed with!!!! (Wait 'til you see my new PT paint job!!) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif



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