My tractor is arriving tomorrow and have a few questions?

[k0ua]

Okie dokie... You were right. I pulled back and he went in. But bigger problem! The grapple will NOT open nor close. And nope, I didn't get the manuals on the grapple, MX8, and I did get 1 manual for the FEL and tractor.

I worked the selectors on the joystick and no movement on the grapple, no open, nor close. Strange and you would think that this would have been tested out at the dealer, unless I am doing something wrong.

I don't know much about how your JD is set up, but if they installed a diverter valve for your hydraulic connections for your grapple, then you may need to push a button and either curl or dump the main joystick to open or close the grapple. and when you let up off of the button then the normal curl and dump function would work to curl up the grapple or dump down the grapple. This would be the way a diverter setup would work. If it is a 3rd function setup it would not work that way.

 

[k0ua]

When you said "he went in".. you did mean "they went in" didn't you? There are two hydraulic connections needed for your Double Acting Cylinder of your grapple lid.

 

[jeff9366]

Are you pulling back on the outside ring as you push?

FYI:

Before long you will want to connect an implement PTO shaft to the PTO splines at the Three Point Hitch on your tractor.

There are two types of implement PTO locks, one a coupler that works just like the collar on your hydraulics, the second a "button".

 

[bravo2zero]

When you said "he went in".. you did mean "they went in" didn't you? There are two hydraulic connections needed for your Double Acting Cylinder of your grapple lid.

Yes both went in but the grapple will not function, open nor close and this is setup on a third function.

 

[bravo2zero]

I don't know much about how your JD is set up, but if they installed a diverter valve for your hydraulic connections for your grapple, then you may need to push a button and either curl or dump the main joystick to open or close the grapple. and when you let up off of the button then the normal curl and dump function would work to curl up the grapple or dump down the grapple. This would be the way a diverter setup would work. If it is a 3rd function setup it would not work that way.

It is a third function. I'll be calling the dealer here in a few minutes to get some advice or to get them to come back out. I have both hoses connected but the grapple will not function, meaning it will not open or close vs versa. I can move the FEL up and down of course but no grapple function.

 

[Zebrafive]

By third function, do you have a button on the joystick? Or do the hoses for the grapple go back to one of your rear SCVs? If they go to a rear SCV you need to use it's lever. With a button on the joystick, I assume you have a 3 function mid valve. If all 6 hoses from the loader go to the mid valve you have a 3 function mid valve.

Another likely problem is you did not get the coupler(s) fully engaged. Even one not correctly engaged will stop hydraulic flow. Try reconnecting both couplers.

 

[k0ua]

By third function, do you have a button on the joystick? Or do the hoses for the grapple go back to one of your rear SCVs? If they go to a rear SCV you need to use it's lever. With a button on the joystick, I assume you have a 3 function mid valve. If all 6 hoses from the loader go to the mid valve you have a 3 function mid valve.

Another likely problem is you did not get the coupler(s) fully engaged. Even one not correctly engaged will stop hydraulic flow. Try reconnecting both couplers.

This is a likely scenario that you don't have the couplers seated correctly. Another is the possibility of a blown fuse for one reason or another on the electric/hydraulic valve assembly. With the key on but the engine not running, press the open and close buttons and listen in the area of the valve to hear the click of the solenoids. If you do not hear them or see LED's lit up on the valve (some have little LED's to indicate actuation), then you may have an electrical problem. In any case for one reason or another you have no hydraulic fluid flowing to the cylinder(s).

 

[bravo2zero]

Good news! John Deere came out. It was a 1 minute fix. Problem was and I didn't know, but the individual that brought out the tractor didn't turn the dial on the grapple near the mid values that allows you to control the speed. FIXED! No joke within 1 minute. I mowed almost 25 acres today and I have to admit for a MX8 bush hog it cuts pretty darn good. The pull behind is the way to go. Great looking cut due to the pull behind. If I didn't have the pull behind there would have been patches in several location.

Thanks so everyone who posted with helpful ideas. But this one was wing dinger and a simple fix.

Oh and I tried to snap a shot, big rattle snake crossing under the tractor. Hot dang, glad I wasn't on the 997.

 

[prosperity]

Glad to hear of the quick fix. Makes you feel better that it wasn't something that you yourself missed, huh?

Sounds like a great first day with the tractor. 25 acres is a lot of ground to mow - must have been sweet in the comfort of the cab!

 

[Zebrafive]

Dealer probably never installed and tested the grapple. I'll bet the tech has seen this before.
Read your manual cover to cover and now is time to get all your questions answered.
Now is a good time to check your wheel nuts and bolts. They may even have a paint mark that will show if they have loosened.