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

 

[countrybumpkin]

Sounds as if possibly the close circuit on your solenoid valve is not working , check to see if your getting power at the valve when pressing the close button.

 

[Mendonsy]

It is also possible that the valve is sticking and only opening slightly. Try switching the solenoid valves with the engine not running. You should be able to hear the "click" when the solenoid valves fire. They should all sound about the same.

 

[gnawbone]

First thing I did was press the open and close buttons on the joystick with the key on but engine not running - click sound was the same for both.

Next, I disconnected the QD at the grapple, with the engine running I pressed in the QD while my wife pressed the buttons on the joystick. Hydraulic oil did 'squirt' out of the top QD but when I did it again, pressing in on QD on the bottom - nothing came out.

I've included pictures of the everything I thought was relevant.

Kent

 

[gnawbone]

First thing I did was press the open and close buttons on the joystick with the key on but engine not running - click sound was the same for both.

Next, I disconnected the QD at the grapple, with the engine running I pressed in the QD while my wife pressed the buttons on the joystick. Hydraulic oil did 'squirt' out of the top QD but when I did it again, pressing in on QD on the bottom - nothing came out.

I've included pictures of the everything I thought was relevant.

Kent

View attachment 433539View attachment 433540View attachment 433541View attachment 433542

Sorry about the pics but they're upside down - I have no idea why other than I've read that iPhone pics do that .... @##(&#$

 

[Mendonsy]

That Vickers valve has indicators (those little triangles) that should light when there is power applied to a solenoid.
If you hear the click and one indicator light comes on, about the only thing it can be is a stuck valve. Possibly a piece of dirt got in there somehow.
If both of those indicators come on at the same time there is a connection problem.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Unless the solenoid is wired in directly from the push buttons, if you hear a click, you are likely hearing the relays click, not the valve.

If your solenoid has lights, confirm the lights are activating or use a test light to confirm power. If so, switch the electrical connectors around at the solenoid. If the problem remains using the none-good power feed, then either the electro magnet on the solenoid has failed or the spool valve in the solenoid is sticking. Either way you're taking it apart or asking for a new solenoid.

 

[gnawbone]

When I push the buttons on the joystick the indicators (triangles) come on like they're supposed to - one for the close button and the other for the open button. So, it looks like taking the solenoid apart is next ......

One of the frustrating things is that the One Touch is just now I year old .... I may contact the mfg.

 

[Mendonsy]

One more quick test you could do. Hold a screwdriver next to the coil that the lit indicator is pointing to. It should be somewhat magnetic when the light is on. If they both are magnetic then the issue is in the hydraulics, if not it's electrical.

 

[kennyd]

?... But can describe what "plug" you removed?

What was this "plug" you mentioned in your first post?

 

[gnawbone]

What was this "plug" you mentioned in your first post?

In the pictures I uploaded there is a picture of one of the cylinders (red) and, in the picture, at the left hand end you can see a 'plug' - it is a hex head screw. If I take that out then press the button on the joystick, hydraulic fluid comes out - I've done it on both cylinders and they both pump fluid but apparently the pressure required, when the plug is in place, is not what it needs to function properly.