Grapple came today

Trybye · Feb 15, 2012

I got my grapple today and got it on the tractor. The hoses were plugged into each other and I unplugged them...but I could not get them to plug into the ones on my tractor. The ones on my tractor look exactly the same. Is there a certain way to twist them or anything else to do before I can plug in the grapple hoses?

I actually unplugged the ones on the grapple and when I coouldn't get them to plug into the tractor I plugged them back together just to see it work...and then I could not get them unplugged. It was dark and I have had a long day so I gave up.

Any clues other than try harder

murphy1244 · Feb 15, 2012

Don't sound like the same fittings to me.

scoutcub · Feb 15, 2012

Congrats and welcome to the new grapple club!

You might try eliminating any hydraulic pressure by cycling your loader joystick in all directions....it will prohibit connecting couplers.

Pics?

Marveltone · Feb 15, 2012

Pics, or it didn't happen!

Joe

teg · Feb 16, 2012

You have the tractor off and all the pressure released? Can you connect the two grapple ones together again? Worst case is to use each set for one side. Do they have the same hose fitting?

dstig1 · Feb 16, 2012

I've had similar problems with mine that I can't figure out. Even if I unplug it and go to plug it right back in using all the usual tricks (tractor off, valve open, pressure relieved, etc) there is still residual pressure in the system somehow. The only way I can get mine to go together is to draw it in with a bar clamp and alternate back and forth with that and jiggling the loader valve to release pressure. Eventually it pulls together but it's a PITA.

ametcalf · Feb 16, 2012

To see if the quick disconnects are compatible how hard would it be to take them off the hoses and see if they connect to each other. That way you know that there is no internal pressure preventing the connection.
I have mounted the backhoe on my BX23 at least a dozen times in less than a year. Yesterday when I went to put it back on the hoe's hydraulics had built up internal pressure and I couldn't get the hoses to connect to the tractor. I finally inserted a bolt into the female end and tapped it with a hammer to relieve the pressure. the hose then went right on to the tractor and then I was able to connect the other hose too.
When I got my dump wagon last summer I had to change the quick disconnect on our old Allis 5040. I took the hose from the wagon to a tractor dealer and they sold me a pioneer fitting to go on the tractor that was supposed to be compatible with the wagon. I could get it to work but it always took about an hour to hook the darn thing up. Finally I went to a hydraulic shop and had them sell me both ends that I could put together easily and it changed my frustration level considerably.
A. Metcalf

caspar3259 · Feb 17, 2012

The original poster did not say how the hydraulics were hooked up, but mine are to a 3rd function valve. I found the easiest way to relieve pressure for those lines is to shut the motor OFF, but leave the key in the ON position. This way the electric hydro valves are powered and I can push each button a couple times to relieve pressure.

Jeff