Grappling fun - A Picture Thread....

[IslandTractor]

So, I have 3 remotes on my tractor (that I'm in the middle of purchasing). I plan on using one of the rears (at least temporary). I think the NH has the Ag/open-type quick connects. Some of the grapples have 'Flat Face'. What is the difference and what should I be using? Do you guys make your own lines (seems like expensive crimping tools)? And it looks like there are 1/2" & 3/4" that are pretty standard. Guess I need to look up somewhere what the NH TN75A has on it.

Some, a minority, use flat faces connectors. Most of us use the Pioneer style Ag connectors. Ag connectors are less expensive. I haven't used flat faced but I recall they are supposed to be easier to connect under pressure.

I would not try to make your own lines unless you want to invest in some expensive equipment. High pressure hydraulics is not for amateurs. Either have a local hydraulic shop make them or buy pre made lengths with end fittings from surplus supply or similar interweb dealer.

A grapple can be run with 1/4 line, a 3/8" line is more than adequate and anything bigger is excess.

 

[Xfaxman]

The second one looks cool. Independent controls is awesome. Do you have multiple buttons on your joystick?

All two lid grapples are independent. The cylinders are plumbed in parallel so the lid with the least resistance to movement will move first. When it contacts something the other lid will move until it contacts something, then same hydraulic pressure is applied to both cylinders.

For the picture both lids were up, I opened the pressure release valve for the aux hydraulic connectors and pushed on the lid to start it moving, gravity took over and it closed.

 

[Piston]

It's been a little while since I've posted pics in this thread, but if you look back through some of them, you'll see some very distinct situations where the wider grapple can be advantageous. Specifically, when carrying firewood or carrying multiple stumps at a time. I do honestly feel that there are more advantages to a wider grapple than there are to a 48" grapple when dealing with larger CUT's or small ag sized tractors. I personally would most definitely NOT purchase a 48" grapple on a tractor as large as a TN75. The advantage of the 48" are more apparent on smaller tractors with less capability. Keep in mind, you can also buy less than 48" grapples, but you don't see the guys with the 48" grapples selling them for narrower versions. You will find that for the most part, people will recommend what they have. I do love my 64" OBG2 and would not sell it or trade it in if I upgraded to a larger tractor.

We know Island Tractor is a very die hard 48" grapple user and that works very well for all his needs. Just keep in mind that not many of us have had the luxury of using many different grapples, so take our opinion's with a grain of salt.
I've given up tirelessly defending why I believe the wider grapple is better for general use, although I still feel that way.

I'll try to post some more pics as it's been a while!

 

[sd455dan]

I do honestly feel that there are more advantages to a wider grapple than there are to a 48" grapple when dealing with larger CUT's or small ag sized tractors. I personally would most definitely NOT purchase a 48" grapple on a tractor as large as a TN75. I do love my 64" OBG2 and would not sell it or trade it in if I upgraded to a larger tractor.

Just keep in mind that not many of us have had the luxury of using many different grapples, so take our opinion's with a grain of salt.
I've given up tirelessly defending why I believe the wider grapple is better for general use, although I still feel that way.

I'll try to post some more pics as it's been a while!

Have to agree- once into ag tractor territory a little wider grapple is probably a good idea.
my grapple is around 67 inches wide-, the only major drawback was in the past when I used it digging out stumps.

The day the dozer arrived was the LAST day of using a tractors FEL and wide grapple to remove a stump
had I continued using the FEL/ wide grapple for some of these larger pine trees (not sure the FEL would have survived)


obligatory grapple/stump shot or two
fresh out of the ground
after multiple pick up and drops for dirt removal
different stump with adhered dirt off to the pile





Newest use for grapple - unloading 1200# square hay bales from trailer and then stacking them in the barn

 

[Piston]

Here are a few more pics to hopefully get this picture thread back on track

 

[Piston]

This is perhaps the best "alternative use" of a grapple I have put into practice so far.

I needed to drill some post holes for some 9X9 white oak timbers I was using as posts for a retaining wall. The retaining wall was being built on the opposite side of a fence, which I could not gain access to with the tractor. What I did was, pinch the mounting bracket to my hydraulic auger with the mini ex bucket/thumb, and then using my tractors hydraulic outlets, parked my tractor close enough to the fence to where I could hold the auger with the mini ex, and run the hydraulics using the tractor. My father was on the tractor running the remotes, and I was on the mini ex lowering the auger to drill the holes. It worked better than I could have imagined, and saved a WHOLE LOT OF WORK!

 

[kminnick]

Some, a minority, use flat faces connectors. Most of us use the Pioneer style Ag connectors. Ag connectors are less expensive. I haven't used flat faced but I recall they are supposed to be easier to connect under pressure.

I would not try to make your own lines unless you want to invest in some expensive equipment. High pressure hydraulics is not for amateurs. Either have a local hydraulic shop make them or buy pre made lengths with end fittings from surplus supply or similar interweb dealer.

A grapple can be run with 1/4 line, a 3/8" line is more than adequate and anything bigger is excess.

So, are the connectors typically 3/8" Pioneer-Ag or 1/2"?

 

[Jim Timber]

Flat face aren't easier to connect under pressure, if anything they're worse.

What they do offer is an easier to clean interface.

 

[IslandTractor]

So, are the connectors typically 3/8" Pioneer-Ag or 1/2"?

1/2" quick connects are more common as tractor rear remotes and FEL hydraulics are usually 1/2". Of course you can use various adapters to go up or down a size from the hose.

My dealer set me up with 1/2 hose from rear remote to grapple on my first tractor but I'd use 3/8 hose with 1/2" connectors if I did it again. 1/2 hose is too stiff and harder to make turns with as needed in back and under the operator station. If you look closely at grapples and 4n1 cylinders, the last short section of hose from the manufacturer is often 1/4 inch so that means anything bigger from rear remote or diverter is not making any difference in flow. The trade off with larger hose size is therefore stiffness and abrasion resistance verses flexibility.

 

[IslandTractor]

Flat face aren't easier to connect under pressure, if anything they're worse. What they do offer is an easier to clean interface.

Thanks for clarifying.