Grapple quit grappling ;-(

[tractorshopper]

I was using the grapple extensively last Sunday and it just stopped closing and opening all at once. It's stuck in the mostly open position.

My quick guess is this is probably a simple electrical issue of sorts, but I haven't had a chance to do any troubleshooting at all. My curl and lift still work and there is no hydraulic leak.

Any suggestions of what I should look at first this weekend when I get some time? Neither button on the joystick works. I have the diverter kit with the valve mounted under the joystick controller area. I checked the hoses and they are all connected as they should be, then put it up because it was getting late anyway.

 

[N2DFire]

Hey David,

I'm not guru so bear with me.

When you try to operate the grapple does the tractor sound like the hydraulics go into relief (like if you curl the bucket all the way back but don't let off the stick) ?

If so then start looking for mechanical problems like a bound grapple or a dislodged coupling (wouldn't hurt to uncouple & re-couple just to make sure)

If it doesn't load up & the rest of the loader is working fine as you say then you are probably correct that it's electrical. A quick-n-dirty check is - with the tractor not running but ignition on - can you hear the valve solenoid clacking when you mash & let off the button(s)? If not it's highly likely something electrical (could still be something on the mechanical side of the solenoid but not as likely)

If you fail the "click test" then start simple by checking connections / fuses. If all that passes, put a volt meter at the connection on the soleniod and see if you get voltage when the button is pressed. If you get voltage there then the solenoid may be bad.

If all of the simple stuff passes and it's still not working, post up what all you tried and any other sights, sounds, and symptoms and the real experts should be able to help you.

Best of luck & hope you get it up & running soon.

 

[HCJtractor]

I have the WR Long kit. That happens occasionally to me. Its in the electrical solenoid??? Or whatever that controller is called. I remove the caps and manually depress the inner "buttons" and it works. So its usually a short in the switch. Sorry for the bad explanation, but i would check for shorts first

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[tractorshopper]

Thanks guys. Haven't checked it yet, but will probably tomorrow.

Steve, when I click either button, there was no noise that I noticed that would be like the relief noise. In fact, usually when I'm trying to open or close while curling, everything slows down and when the grapple quit working, I was able to curl no problem while trying open or close leading me to believe it was something with the diverter valve not working at all and being bypassed entirely. The only things I did check was that the hydraulic cylinders are cleared and not bound and there is nothing stuck in the grapple itself anywhere and the hoses are all in good shape and properly attached at each point.

Like you and HCJ suggest, I'll break out the voltmeter and start around the solenoid and fuse box. Makes good sense to me. Before that, I'll probably do a quick eye check on the wiring to make sure I didn't break something off first underneath or where I wouldn't have already noticed ;-)

 

[tractorshopper]

Went through the wiring and didn't find any breaks. Pulled, cleaned, and reinstalled fuses (including the extra in-line fuse for the grapple). None were shorted. Snugged up the wiring where it meets the valve body.

Didn't find anything wrong anywhere. Started tractor, grapple worked.

Went out and cleaned up some of the neighbor's trees he's felling between our properties to help him out some more. Worked fine for a while, then stopped again.

Kicked (not hard, more like jostled) the valve with my foot and it kicked right in again. Continued to use another half hour. Had to kick it a couple more times during that span.

I don't know if the solenoid is sticking or not getting a constant signal when it stops working. I guess I can try to figure out how to get to the switch itself in the valve and try to take it out/replace or clean if necessary.

 

[Fallon]

You need to put an amp meter inline with the power wire. That can tell you if it's a wiring issue or sticking solenoid.

My bet would be loose or corroded wiring though.