Grapple Grapple came today

[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).