Grapple Grapple came today

[firefighter9208]

Try the Millonzi 48" grapple for under $800 plus shipping which is just a tad more than the add on grapple kits cost. It is much more versatile than an add on grapple. You can get them either with a QA mount or a tractor specific mount. They only weigh 280lbs so you preserve your lift capacity. Photos below are all with a Kioti CK20, a 21hp tractor. Couldn't lift those things if I had put a 600lb grapple on.

No need for a larger grapple. It's not the size of the army but the fury of the attack.

Islandtractor,

Just called Millonzi and was quoted $965.00 plus shipping for the LD48. Maybe the price has gone up. I just started a thread showing the three that I am looking at. I can buy any of them for 1/2 the price of the Millonzi and it's shipping, shipped to my door. Thanks for the info though.

Chris

 

[curly]

Islandtractor,

Just called Millonzi and was quoted $965.00 plus shipping for the LD48. Maybe the price has gone up. I just started a thread showing the three that I am looking at. I can buy any of them for 1/2 the price of the Millonzi and it's shipping, shipped to my door. Thanks for the info though.

Chris

If you tell them you found out at tbn they should give you a 25% discount.

 

[firefighter9208]

If you tell them you found out at tbn they should give you a 25% discount.

That was with the 25% TBN discount. $965.00 plus shipping.

 

[curly]

Well, I have no idea why they won't go on. I can press on the male connector on the tractor an get fluid to come out no problem, but I cannot get the female from the grapple to go over it. It's almost like the male thingee is just a tad bit to large for the hole.

The male from the grapple goes ito the female on the tractor but seems like it bottoms out...it won't go in far enough to latch.

Is it possible to have connectors on the tractor that are metric and those on the grapple that are standard (or vice versa). Or at least just a tad bit different in size. They look the same, and when I hold male to male and female to female they seem the same. Weird.

The plugs from the grapple will readily plug into themselves and unplug, but they just won't quite go on the tractor.

Crocky man

 

[6sunset6]

For sure there are different size QD that look almost the same. There are some standards and interchange charts. Since you can plug the two grapple ends together it means you have a male and female on the grapple,
Something may have to change . Probably the best thing to do , since it sounds like you are not a fittings expert, is take all four into either the tractor dealer or the grapple dealer and get one of each to match what you have . Make sure the other end continues to fit what it came off off.
It is also possible to go to any tractor dealer. They may be able to match one end or the other.
Failing all of that, if you can figuire out what the hose ends are and the tractor ends are, you can get all 4 new from DHH on the net. ISO A fittings are all you need . They pass 6 gpm .
There are probably some guys here who know exactly what fitting is on the end of the grapple hose. My guess is 3/8 mpt. and others that know what is on the end of the tractor. But if you bought the kit for your tractor they should have known what the QD should be. You are pulling back the sleeve that locks the QD before you insert the male end right. Just trying to think of everything.

 

[jsborn]

I had the same problem and what you need to do is look where the QC fitting is connected to the tractor and with the tractor not running and after pushing the button on the stick several time with the tractor switch turned on NOT RUNNING loosen up the fitting on the back of the QC on the tractor. This will let the pressure off and allow you to connect it. afterwords re tighten the fitting and go to work. I have had to do this more than once and am considering installing a tee and valve to relieve the pressure without having to loosen the fitting.

 

[6sunset6]

I don't understand ( I understand what you said) why the pressure does not relieve by wiggling the valve when the engine is off. That should dump all pressure to the return. Especially when nothing is connected. If it is a remote it's all mechanical and if it's a diverter make sure the valve is clicking.
Baffles me.

 

[jsborn]

Over the past year or so I have had to loosen several fittings to re connect the grapple to the 3rd valve. There are 4 QC's and I have had to relieve the pressure on all of them at one time or another. I don't understand why as you say but I do know relieving the pressure lets them connect like thy should .

 

[IslandTractor]

That was with the 25% TBN discount. $965.00 plus shipping.

I have seen them offer different prices but that is way higher than any other I've seen quoted. Start over by sending a PM to Joe@MI here on TBN and ask him for a price. I suspect they let their sales people negotiate a bit and that could explain why the prices vary so much.

Though it would not be such a clear cut decision (at least financially), the 48LD grapple will still be far more versatile than an add a grapple. The add a grapple will however be much better than nothing.

 

[bjcsc]

What kind of tractor is this on? Usually, both female ends are on the tractor and the male ends on the grapple/4in1/etc.. Where did the QC fittings come from, both on the tractor and on the grapple?

Your problem is most likely pressure. The position of the FEL has nothing to do with anything. Your diverter is electric. I can only assume it is plumbed correctly, i.e. to the curl and dump function. You may want to verify this.

1) Hook up to the grapple (FEL)
2) Turn off the tractor. Turn the ignition to run, but do not start the tractor.
3) Hold the 3rd function button down, move the stick left and right only several times, the FEL should not move up or down, and the grapple should not fall forward (dump). If anything moves, post that it did.
4) Ensure that the QC ends on the grapple hoses have no residual pressure, either by pressing the fitting ends in (with my male connector ends I do as was already mentioned - rag against the back of the grapple, push them, sometimes hard (strike), against the rag) or by loosening the fittings until oil drips out (don't look at them while you do either one)
5) They should hook right up.

If not, loosen the fittings on the tractor until oil drips (don't look at it!) and try again.

If they still won't hook up, remove the fittings from the tractor and see if they'll hook up.

Report back here...

 

[curly]

What kind of tractor is this on? Usually, both female ends are on the tractor and the male ends on the grapple/4in1/etc.. Where did the QC fittings come from, both on the tractor and on the grapple?

It's a Kioti DK55. The grapple has a male and a female...which is a great way to do things because when the grapple is off they can plug into each other and not get junk in the connectors. And, of course, the 3rd function connectors on the tractor also has a male and female.

I guess I could call WRLong and them to send me another identical set of connectors and put them on the tractor. To remove the ones from the tractor doesn't require crimping anything to the hose does it?

I will not get another whack at this til Monday because I go outta town tomorrow.

Report back here

Gotcha. I really appreciate the advice folks.

 

[curly]

... But if you bought the kit for your tractor they should have known what the QD should be. You are pulling back the sleeve that locks the QD before you insert the male end right. Just trying to think of everything.

The 3rd function was installed on the tractor before I bgt it, I'm almost 100% sure it was a WRLong kit.

When I connect the male and female of the grapple together I don't need to pull back the sleeve. I just push in at there's a click, and it's locked. The sleeve kinda goes back a tad on it's on.

Now, on the tractor. The female sleeve has a little indention on it and there is a little pin right there in that indention that won't really allow the sleeve to be pushed in. Is this weird or normal?

 

[IslandTractor]

Now, on the tractor. The female sleeve has a little indention on it and there is a little pin right there in that indention that won't really allow the sleeve to be pushed in. Is this weird or normal?

Is the indentation in the middle of the bottom of the female connector? If that does not push in with a screwdriver and release a littel oil then it is still under pressure. Be careful when you press as high pressure oil can shoot out but you need to release that pressure.

Another messy but safe way to release that pressure on the female quick connector is to use a couple of wrenches to slowly unscrew it from the hose until it leaks oil. Not something you would do routinely but for diagnostic purposes it would be appropriate.

 

[curly]

Is the indentation in the middle of the bottom of the female connector? If that does not push in with a screwdriver and release a littel oil then it is still under pressure. Be careful when you press as high pressure oil can shoot out but you need to release that pressure.

Another messy but safe way to release that pressure on the female quick connector is to use a couple of wrenches to slowly unscrew it from the hose until it leaks oil. Not something you would do routinely but for diagnostic purposes it would be appropriate.

I may need to take a pic when I get back in town. The indentation is at the bottom of the sleeve of the female connector. There is one also at the same place on the one that's on the grapple. Only difference is the grapple sleeve will pull back because the indentation does not have that little pin (for lack of a better word) that fills it up.

So I need to try to push that in with a screwdriver huh? I'll try that too.

Update:
I looked at the female connector on the grapple, and there is also a little pin there, but it's not poking out...as if there is no pressure pushing it out. So, I guess the first thing when I get back is to slightly unscrew the female connector on the tractor til I can get some fluid to come out. I mashed the middle of the male connector and got some fluid without a problem

 

[IslandTractor]

Update:I looked at the female connector on the grapple, and there is also a little pin there, but it's not poking out...as if there is no pressure pushing it out. So, I guess the first thing when I get back is to slightly unscrew the female connector on the tractor til I can get some fluid to come out. I mashed the middle of the male connector and got some fluid without a problem

Before you unscrew the female QC, try using a flat round object like a bolt or even the tip of a phillips screwdriver to push against the little protrusion at the bottom of the connector. That little button down there is probably being held closed by oil pressure from behind. If you can push it down then oil will squirt out. If that happens keep doing it (be careful not to look down while doing this so oil doesn't hit you) until the pin goes in easily. Then you can connect with the male connector.

Unscrewing the female is a last resort. Problem with doing that is just that you'll need to rewrap some teflon tape to get a good seal again.

 

[SkunkWerX]

Before you unscrew the female QC, try using a flat round object like a bolt or even the tip of a phillips screwdriver to push against the little protrusion at the bottom of the connector. That little button down there is probably being held closed by oil pressure from behind. If you can push it down then oil will squirt out. If that happens keep doing it (be careful not to look down while doing this so oil doesn't hit you) until the pin goes in easily. Then you can connect with the male connector.

Unscrewing the female is a last resort. Problem with doing that is just that you'll need to rewrap some teflon tape to get a good seal again.

Curly,
This really does sound like a Back pressure issue.
I agree with Island, except, first, before trying to press the pin mechanically with a bolt, do this:

1. Turn the tractor Key to "ON" , not Start, but just "On".

2. Move your FEL Joystick to Front, Back, Left and Right, each full position for approx. 2 seconds. Not just a jiggle, but a concious move to each full position.

3. Now, press the 3rd function button, and repeat the Front, Back, Left and Right sequence. (I am saying to do all 4 positions, because we don't really know whether it's installed to use the Curl/Dump circuit, or the Lower/Raise circuit).

4. Once you have done Steps 1 thru 3, all Back Pressure, all circuits should be dissipated. Now try to make your QD connection.


Good Luck Curly, Grapple-Speed to you!

 

[firefighter9208]

I have seen them offer different prices but that is way higher than any other I've seen quoted. Start over by sending a PM to Joe@MI here on TBN and ask him for a price. I suspect they let their sales people negotiate a bit and that could explain why the prices vary so much.

Though it would not be such a clear cut decision (at least financially), the 48LD grapple will still be far more versatile than an add a grapple. The add a grapple will however be much better than nothing.

Island Tractor,

Going to order an Andy Tatro Grapple when I get home today. Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to bow out of this post now.

Chris

 

[curly]

Curly,
This really does sound like a Back pressure issue.
I agree with Island, except, first, before trying to press the pin mechanically with a bolt, do this:

1. Turn the tractor Key to "ON" , not Start, but just "On".

2. Move your FEL Joystick to Front, Back, Left and Right, each full position for approx. 2 seconds. Not just a jiggle, but a concious move to each full position.

3. Now, press the 3rd function button, and repeat the Front, Back, Left and Right sequence. (I am saying to do all 4 positions, because we don't really know whether it's installed to use the Curl/Dump circuit, or the Lower/Raise circuit).

4. Once you have done Steps 1 thru 3, all Back Pressure, all circuits should be dissipated. Now try to make your QD connection.


Good Luck Curly, Grapple-Speed to you!

I tried a hammer and punch on the pin and it won't seem to go in no matter what.

I've tried everything else 10 times and can't get none of it to work. I've got the numbers off of the tractor connectors and will give those to George or Nelson at WRLong on Monday. I will get the same set that's on the grapple sent to me and just put them on the tractor so at least I'll know I have a match. If I still can't connect at least I will be assured that it's the pressure and not the connectors. I don't know what else to do at this point.

When I take the connectors off of the tractor am I gonna have any big surprises? Will all of the fluid come gushing out? What should I expect?

Only thing that sucks worse than not having a grapple is having a grapple that you can't use

Thanks

 

[Rara Avis]

Only thing that sucks worse than not having a grapple is having a grapple that you can't use

Thanks

What honesty...Admitting you can't use your grapple...

 

[IslandTractor]

I
When I take the connectors off of the tractor am I gonna have any big surprises? Will all of the fluid come gushing out? What should I expect?

Only thing that sucks worse than not having a grapple is having a grapple that you can't use

Thanks

No you will have a small amount of oil come out, maybe a tablespoon. Remember you are not going to take the fitting all the way off, you are just going to unscrew it until some oil leaks out then retighten and see if the pin now depresses easily.

If that doesn't work then you probably have mismatched quick connects or a malfunctioning female side (I've never heard of that myself).