Grapple Grapple question, how are your Hyd Quick Connects mounted on the FEL.

   / Grapple question, how are your Hyd Quick Connects mounted on the FEL. #1  

dex3361

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Aug 22, 2008
Messages
3,568
Location
N. of Charleston WV
Tractor
Kubota L4400-1 HST,FEL, 3x3 remotes, TNT. BX1500 54 mmm
I bought a used grapple and I currently have it set up to operate off of the rear remote. I havent seen a good mounting system for the front Hydraulic quick connects on the FEL(pioneer type). I am presently connecting them and strapping it down with a bungee cord and this is not what I think is the best way. Could some of the more experience or knowlegeable of the group fill me in on how they have covered this issue. Pics would be great. Thanks
 
   / Grapple question, how are your Hyd Quick Connects mounted on the FEL. #2  
One common system is to weld a "L" shaped plate about 4 inches wide to the FEL torque tube with two holes drilled in the upstanding part that will allow the hose connector to pass through with the quick connect on the other side to secure it in place. You might need some washers on the hose side to get spacing right or alternatively could use a separate pass through piece secured to the bracket with incoming hose and QC adapter attaching to opposite sides of that. The bracket can face either sideways (keeps lines out of the way) or forwards (provides a safety margin as the quick connect can just pull out rather than ripping the hose if you snag it).
 
   / Grapple question, how are your Hyd Quick Connects mounted on the FEL. #3  
Try this. If you put a bulkhead bracket on each side of the torque tube,
your hoses will be just a bit shorter. You might want to use a hose
"prophylactic".
 

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   / Grapple question, how are your Hyd Quick Connects mounted on the FEL. #4  

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   / Grapple question, how are your Hyd Quick Connects mounted on the FEL. #5  
You can get bulkhead connectors from DHH
 
   / Grapple question, how are your Hyd Quick Connects mounted on the FEL. #7  
I have inline quick disconnects on mine. When I first put the grapple on
I connected a bungie from the hoses to the torque tube just to get going.
The bungie took up the slack and streched nicely when I rolled the bucket
down. I was going to fix it right later. That was about five years ago
and I still have the same bungi there. Still works good.
 
   / Grapple question, how are your Hyd Quick Connects mounted on the FEL. #9  
I have inline quick disconnects on mine. When I first put the grapple on
I connected a bungie from the hoses to the torque tube just to get going.
The bungie took up the slack and streched nicely when I rolled the bucket
down. I was going to fix it right later. That was about five years ago
and I still have the same bungi there. Still works good.

That is exactly what I did with my CK20. I probably would have used the same system on my new tractor but my dealer thoughtfully added the bulkhead mounts on the torque tube when I asked him to install the diverter valve. The bungee system works perfectly it just doesn't look very professional.
 
   / Grapple question, how are your Hyd Quick Connects mounted on the FEL. #10  
I used the Bobcat style quick connectors. The brand was Parker. They are a little heavier duty and don't seem to drip as much when hooking them up. Before welding any brackets on my loader I made a bracket out of oak and held it on with 2 giant cable zip ties. I wanted to try out the mounting location etc...and mount the hoses quickly so I could go out and play with the grapple. :)
 

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