Grapple Grapple came today

[SkunkWerX]

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).

Neither have I , but there is a first time for everything??
Curly is saying he cannot depress the pin, so, for now, that is the focus.
I'd unscrew it a half to full turn, then wrap rag around it, then unscrew it until you know you have released the pressure, you will know.
With it partially unscrewed (After a little oil has flowed) then try to depress the pin?
This will prove whether or not pressure in that line is a problem?

If the tractor quick connects are working, then you almost have to look at the new ones as the culprits, whether a mis-match or a bad QD?

I'm hooked, now, I gotta hear the cause of this problem.

Good Luck Curly!!

 

[curly]

I talked to Nelson from WRLong today. He said since I can unscrew the female connector (just the sleeve part) from the tractor that there is something wrong with it.

Anyways, he's shipping me out a female/male that should mate perfectly with the ones on the grapple. I'll let ya know.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[IslandTractor]

I talked to Nelson from WRLong today. He said since I can unscrew the female connector (just the sleeve part) from the tractor that there is something wrong with it.

I've never tried to unscrew the sleeve as it is locked in place by the spring loaded balls. It is not screwed on at all. If the balls fail I think the sleeve would just fall off.

Did you try to unscrew the whole QC fitting to see if there was oil under pressure?

 

[curly]

Did you try to unscrew the whole QC fitting to see if there was oil under pressure?

I will when the new ones get here. Today or tomorrow.


I was able to depress the male and get some oil...and I got some from the female side also...when I unscrewed it.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm still curious as to how you managed to unscrew the spring loaded sleeve. It's not supposed to unscrew. We need photos.

The first time I had this problem (we all face this scenario of QC fittings under pressure sooner or later), I spent about 30 minutes being too shy with the hammer and bolt that I was hitting to depress the "button". Once I'd hit it hard enough it was pretty obvious though. I still kinda think you are stuck at that point rather than anything more serious.

 

[AlanB]

I will throw a wild stab in here, reading descriptions and not seeing it for myself.

Curly, the detent pin etc you are describing, and the collar make me think that it is one of those fittings that you have to align the collar, over the pin for it to release.

In other words, spin the collar around and around the fitting looking for marks on the collar, and a corresponding mark on the base, line those up and see if the collar will not then retract, allowing you to make the connection.

This type fitting is nice in this application because it helps prevent them from being accidently disconnected by a bush or tree or what not.

Then again, I could be all wet and not understand what you were trying to say at all.

I know the first one I ran across drove me nuts till I figured out what the marks were and why.

Kind of like lining up the marks on a child proof medicine bottle.

Good luck, hope it works well for you when you get it sorted.

 

[curly]

I'm still curious as to how you managed to unscrew the spring loaded sleeve.

Just grabbed it and it easily turned off...like it was not even very tight. I thought it was supposed to do that.

The first time I had this problem (we all face this scenario of QC fittings under pressure sooner or later), I spent about 30 minutes being too shy with the hammer and bolt that I was hitting to depress the "button". Once I'd hit it hard enough it was pretty obvious though. I still kinda think you are stuck at that point rather than anything more serious.

That's still possible...but when I found out that I wasn't supposed to be able to unscrew the sleeve on the female connector I figured it wasn't worth the effort. Figured I would get what I know is the right set on there and see what happened then. But if your curiosity is really getting to you I will sell the set I remove very cheap

Curly, the detent pin etc you are describing, and the collar make me think that it is one of those fittings that you have to align the collar, over the pin for it to release.

The ones connected to the grapple seem to be that way, and I found that out the hard way too. But even if it is that kind, it's lined up because the pin is all the way out and it can't turn to get un-lined up So, the collar can't go down because the pin is out, and it can't turn because the pin is out.

When I get the new set I will connect them to the grapple when there is no pressure (before I connect them to the tractor)...I'll be ahead of the game at that point. If it works then, I put them on the tractor and know that only pressure will keep them from connecting.

 

[J_J]

You could have solved this problem by switching one set of the Quick Connects, so that the fittings that came on the grapple would plug together, and the ones that were on the tractor would plug together. A left side set, and a right side set. For instance, a Pioneer set would plug together, and say another brand would plug together. If the grapple is the only attachment you will plug into that setup with the same Quick Connects, you should be OK, but if you install two sets of the plugs like on the grapple, you may have limited your self to that brand of Quick Connects, and they may not work for anything else that you might use.

Your other option for relieving pressure on the attachment is installing a tee fitting with a valve to relieve pressure.

 

[curly]

... For instance, a Pioneer set would plug together, and say another brand would plug together...

Good thought. And Nelson mentioned that to be at least a short term fix until you get another 3rd function implement.

Then we decided the female on the tractor was broke so decided to just get the ones I know will work, and ain't broke.

 

[jimgerken]

I just received an email from John Kennedy at Millonzi. (for the 48 inch grapple) They want $970 plus estimated 150+ for freight. I did not mention I saw it on TBN. Is the TBN discount for real, or are you guys pulling my leg? If it is for real, that would make the price $727 or so. Plus 150+ freight. BTW, this was for it built with the JD quick-tach scheme on the back, which is very simple. He forwarded a PDF of a drawing showing the JD dimensions, so they seem to be familiar with it. This seems very expensive to me, for what you are getting. And I know the productivity of the grapple, 'cause I have a homemade one already.