Grapple How do you control your hydraulic grapple?

[Trahere]

I don't have one yet, but I'm working on it!

 

[ksmmoto]

I reversed my W.R. Long Valve button after reading this post! I knew it didn't feel quite right! It is now left to close and right to open on my grapple bucket.

The dumb thing is that how it was when I first set it up last month and I thought it was wrong. So I had reversed the hoses where they attach to the bucket. Then I kept pushing the button the wrong way. It does feel more natural now, but I still go the wrong way at times.

I haven't had time earlier but here is some photos of my grapple and setup.

ksmmoto

 

[PineRidge]

I reversed my W.R. Long Valve button after reading this post! I knew it didn't feel quite right! It is now left to close and right to open on my grapple bucket.

The dumb thing is that how it was when I first set it up last month and I thought it was wrong. So I had reversed the hoses where they attach to the bucket. Then I kept pushing the button the wrong way. It does feel more natural now, but I still go the wrong way at times.

I haven't had time earlier but here is some photos of my grapple and setup.

ksmmoto

Pretty neat setup!

I'm sure you'r also aware that if your grapple couplers were rotated 90 degrees that they would allow the hoses to pull out of the female connectors should they snag on something. It might also be easer to attach and disconnect your hoses.

 

[IslandTractor]

Ihaven't had time earlier but here is some photos of my grapple and setup.
ksmmoto

Nice set up. Where did you get the attachment fitting that holds the quick connectors to the FEL torque beam? I also like the armoured hose cover but haven't seen a source for that either.

 

[MadReferee]

I also like the armoured hose cover but haven't seen a source for that either.

I bought my armoured hose cover from Discount Hydraulic Hose. It's listed in their Hydraulic Hose & Hose Ends catalog and prices range from $1 to $4 per foot depending on inside diameter.

 

[PineRidge]

Nice set up. Where did you get the attachment fitting that holds the quick connectors to the FEL torque beam? I also like the armoured hose cover but haven't seen a source for that either.

I saw the attachment fittings at TSC.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks Mad. Looks like 2" internal diameter cover would fit over a quick coupling and a 3/4" OD hose simultaneously so I could retrofit them on twin hoses without taking the couplings off. Is that about the size you bought?

 

[MadReferee]

Thanks Mad. Looks like 2" internal diameter cover would fit over a quick coupling and a 3/4" OD hose simultaneously so I could retrofit them on twin hoses without taking the couplings off. Is that about the size you bought?

I bought 2". It handles 2 of the 1/4" ID hoses just fine.

 

[IslandTractor]

I saw the attachment fittings at TSC.

Unfortunately the nearest TSC is two plus hours away from me. I cannot seem to find it in the on line catalog either. Do you know what these attachment fittings are called? I could find an excuse to play hooky and drive to TSC but I'd hate to find out they didn't carry the things at the nearest store.

 

[IslandTractor]

Pretty neat setup!

I'm sure you'r also aware that if your grapple couplers were rotated 90 degrees that they would allow the hoses to pull out of the female connectors should they snag on something. It might also be easer to attach and disconnect your hoses.

Actually, looking closely that the photographs it doesn't look like he used quick connectors on the FEL torque tube junctions. I presume your comment was predicated on quick connects.

I'd not thought of the safety "valve" of allowing the quick connectors to be pulled apart rather than tearing the hoses. Is that a common practice? Anybody had experience?

 

[dsb5610]

Rolando,

I don't know which grapple you have but with the Bobcat utility grapple I have left closes and right opens. If you change the leads on the switch it will reverse it for all attachments. I would either switch the flat-faced couplers on the hoses or switch the hoses on the cylinder.

dsb

 

[PineRidge]

Actually, looking closely that the photographs it doesn't look like he used quick connectors on the FEL torque tube junctions. I presume your comment was predicated on quick connects.

I'd not thought of the safety "valve" of allowing the quick connectors to be pulled apart rather than tearing the hoses. Is that a common practice? Anybody had experience?

The clamp grabs the ring or outside sliding sleeve of the coupler, allowing you to push a connector together or pull it apart without touching the female end.

I think the clamp fitting was made by Pioneer. If so you may find it on their web site.

 

[Trahere]

Ksmoto if that's the correct spelling, Thats Nasty!

 

[ksmmoto]

The couplers are 1/2" Pioneers and the bracket is also Pioneer. I just bolted it on direct. I used 1/2" couplers because thats what the bracket fit. Also I have some other attachments I am working on that need larger hoses. My hoses from the W.R. Long valve are 3/8". The hoses on the grapple are 1/4".

Thanks for the heads up on the 90 degree hookup PineRidge. I didn't think of that at all. I could have used the 90 degree fittings and drilled the holes for the bracket different. Anyway I am not going to change it now.

ksmmoto