Grapple Hyd Hose Routing and Questions

[MOTractor]

Grapple is on the way. Below is what I think I need to do. If what I say does not sound right, please let me know. This is the first time I have tinkered with hydraulic hoses except to have direct replacements made. Opinions are always welcome! If it matters, the grapple is the EA, 60" double lid. The tractor is the LS in my signature.

I am planning on running the grapple using a pair of my rear remotes (I have 2 sets) and using using 3/8 hyd hose instead of 1/2. I do not see myself buying (or renting) a Hydraulic auger.

I think my rear remotes are 1/2 Ag QDs. How do I measure to know for sure? What type of ends should I get on the hoses? NPT, JIC... and why? Discount Hydraulic Hoses website made my head hurt.

I am planning on breaking the hose with QDs at the loader arm to make it easier if I have to remove the FEL.

Thinking of welding on the hose mounts. What do you think? Weld or drill and bolt.

I am planning on stealing, I mean borrowing, ideas from Underdog57's thread. Any thoughts? Underdog57 if you are out there still, please chime in!

The grapple is coming with 1/2 QDs, one male and one female. I can get 3/8 hose with 1/2 fittings to ease the connection, correct?

I have pics below showing my planned hose routing. I have not yet pulled the garden hose out to measure.

 

[davesl708]

You should be able to get the necessary connections. As to the cost of the hose you might get a quote from CARQUEST. they custom build hoses and can be cheaper if you do not get any angled fittings.

 

[k0ua]

I think you are on track.I used NPT's and have had no problems with them but the consensus was I should have used JIC fittings.
The fittings on the back of your tractor are 1/2 inch AG's. I used Surplus center hoses and Discount hydraulic fittings. I had about $150 in the whole shebang. I welded on my own bracket on the torque tube cover.

Here is the thread.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-quick-connects-loader-torque.html?highlight=

 

[MOTractor]

You should be able to get the necessary connections. As to the cost of the hose you might get a quote from CARQUEST. they custom build hoses and can be cheaper if you do not get any angled fittings.

One of our local autp parts stores (Singer Auto) is a CarQuest outlet - they do hoses too. I will talk to them 1st before I go online

 

[MOTractor]

I think you are on track.I used NPT's and have had no problems with them but the consensus was I should have used JIC fittings.

Any leaks at all? After reading your thread I think I need to make myself smarter on JIC fittings and bulkheads. A bulkhead is just an adapter that lets you connect hoses to a fixed connector, correct?

 

[k0ua]

Any leaks at all? After reading your thread I think I need to make myself smarter on JIC fittings and bulkheads. A bulkhead is just an adapter that lets you connect hoses to a fixed connector, correct?

No leaks at all. There no NPT bulkhead connectors but JIC bulkhead connectors are common. A bulkhead is just like a wall. You need a connector that will snug up to both sides of the wall and allow you to attach fittings on both sides. You see how I solved it with the home made copper crush washers to take up the slop between the connectors and the "bulkhead" of my home made L bracket on the FEL torque tube cover.

 

[MOTractor]

About mounting the Hyd hose clamps: One set of the QDs will be mounted to the loader arms so that I can un-mount the loader. Weld the mount, bolt it, or other idea?

 

[aczlan]

At the quick disconnect end (to the grapple) I would skip the bulkhead bracket and get a connector that will let you mount the quick disconnects to it. That way you push them in to connect and pull them out to disconnect.
A side benefit is that if you ever have the grapple fall off (or forget to disconnect the hoses when you remove it) it will just disconnect vs ripping a hose or fitting apart.
I would use 3/8 lines like you have planned, then upsize to 1/2" quick connects (just use a 1/2-3/8 reducer bushing in the quick connect unless the 1/2 npt ends are the same price as the 3/8 npt ends).

Aaron Z

 

[MOTractor]

Just got back from the local hose maker, an 11'-8" hose with fittings will cost me $127.15 and that is for one hose, so $254.30 for the pair. I like to buy local, but that pair of hoses only gets me to the loader arm. I would still need 2 short hoses to go from the QD on the loader arm to the front center of the loader for grapple hookup.

Checking out online prices. Surplus Center offers the hose i need with JIC 6F or JIC 8F. Which do I need? 6F or 8F?

 

[aeblank]

I used bulkhead fittings. JIC to NPT (so they sort-of make NPT bulkhead fittings.. =)