Grapple Grapple "jaws" won't close

[gnawbone]

I have an Everything Attachments Wicked Root Grapple and a One Touch 3rd function kit.

I put my grapple on this AM and of the 6 movements my FEL/Grapple can make, 5 of them work just fine. Raise, lower, rotate up, down, and open the grapple but when I push the button to close the grapple jaws they close veeerrrryyyy slowly and with almost no force. I took the 'plug' out of the cylinders on the grapple and when I press the button they pump hydraulic fluid out ....... so I am not sure what to do next or what the problem could be - any ideas?

Thank you!
Kent

 

[kennyd]

Sounds like the piston seals in the cylinder might be blown. But can describe what "plug" you removed?

 

[bcp]

Is this the first time it has been installed, or have you been using it?

Bruce

 

[jmc]

Does it open ok? If so, can you switch lines and see if the problem switches too?

 

[gnawbone]

Is this the first time it has been installed, or have you been using it?

Bruce

It is not new, I used it about 3 months ago for about 30 minutes (moved 1 tree that was down) and put it back in the barn. Today when I put it back on the tractor it isn't working (it worked when I put it away).

 

[murphy1244]

Reconnect your lines to it.

 

[gnawbone]

It opens normally. I'm not sure about switching the lines - if I understand the plumbing correctly there is a place that looks like it would be easy to switch - I'll go try that.

 

[gnawbone]

I unhooked all of the lines and reconnected them - no luck. One thing I did notice is that when I unhooked one of them I heard a sound like the line was either under pressure or a vacuum - all I heard was a "phhhtttt" sound - never heard it before when I've unhooked it (like when I'm taking the grapple off).

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have an Everything Attachments Wicked Root Grapple and a One Touch 3rd function kit.

I put my grapple on this AM and of the 6 movements my FEL/Grapple can make, 5 of them work just fine. Raise, lower, rotate up, down, and open the grapple but when I push the button to close the grapple jaws they close veeerrrryyyy slowly and with almost no force. I took the 'plug' out of the cylinders on the grapple and when I press the button they pump hydraulic fluid out ....... so I am not sure what to do next or what the problem could be - any ideas?


Thank you!
Kent

Kent,

Reverse the QDs to any other loader function and see if the problem follows a QD coupling around. If so, you have a problem in a quick disconnect. Report your finding.

Also, share photos of your third function set up.

Alternatively, unhook the one line of the two lines going to the third function, jam the disconnected line open and rig a bucket to catch fluid and then hit the function to see if there is a restriction or smoggy, or a bug house that needs to be blown out. Do so with on the tractor side as well as the line on return side of the ram. Then confirm the feed line is clear so that you know fluid is pumping out at the electric over hydraulic (whatever) you have installed, as well as through the lines and the ram itself. Understand what I'm trying to ask of you?

BTW, you may have a sticky spool valve in your electric-over hydraulic whatever you have. These diverter and solenoid valve come apart fairly easy, so share a photo of what you have so people can advise you on taking it apart to check the spool valve out.

 

[gnawbone]

Kent,

Reverse the QDs to any other loader function and see if the problem follows a QD coupling around. If so, you have a problem in a quick disconnect. Report your finding.

Also, share photos of your third function set up.

Alternatively, unhook the one line of the two lines going to the third function, jam the disconnected line open and rig a bucket to catch fluid and then hit the function to see if there is a restriction or smoggy, or a bug house that needs to be blown out. Do so with on the tractor side as well as the line on return side of the ram. Then confirm the feed line is clear so that you know fluid is pumping out at the electric over hydraulic (whatever) you have installed, as well as through the lines and the ram itself. Understand what I'm trying to ask of you?

BTW, you may have a sticky spool valve in your electric-over hydraulic whatever you have. These diverter and solenoid valve come apart fairly easy, so share a photo of what you have so people can advise you on taking it apart to check the spool valve out.

Eric,

A lot of good suggestions - thank you!

I'm not at home this evening but I'll get to work on it tomorrow. We had 2 different storms go through here in the last week and I have A LOT of limbs (including the top 30 feet of a huge white pine) to haul off - I'm one of these people that obsesses about that kind of stuff until it is cleaned up and it is "bothering" me.

Kent