My very own grapples!

[mjncad]

If only I could get my wife interested in doing metal work...NAH!

Excellent work!

 

[RedNeckRacin]

3RRL

It wasn't until I got here on TBN that I realized some of the stuff I do would be of interest to so many people.

thats an understatement! I always like seeing how much more trouble I can get into with the guise of saving myself some money.

 

[dfkrug]

Last weekend we started fitting the electric solenoid valve mounting bracket to Loretta's Jinma. Loretta left the ordering or materials up to me since I've had experience doing all this before on my Kama 554. The valve is a true third function double action solenoid valve so the grapples can be operated simultaneously with the other FEL functions. That is, while curling/dumping and raising/lowering the bucket all at the same time.
It is not a diverter valve where you lose (usually) the curl to operate the grapple.

So the mainifold/valve allows the curl work ports to work in parallel with the
grapple work ports? Excellent! That would correct one of the limits I see
with solenoid diverters.

As for the valve and manifold you are buying, about how wide are they?
Surplus Center's site has probs right now. Is there a reason that you did
not choose a mounting site closer to the grapple?

About those switches....are they waterproof? It is hard to find waterproof
switches.

Excellent machine work, as usual, Rob. I like the recessed pivot pin
zerks, too. I noticed that the newer JD 400cx FEL uses recessed zerks that
are drilled off center. I wonder what's up with that. Wish I had a photo.

 

[3RRL]

So the mainifold/valve allows the curl work ports to work in parallel with the
grapple work ports? Excellent! That would correct one of the limits I see
with solenoid diverters.

As for the valve and manifold you are buying, about how wide are they?
Surplus Center's site has probs right now. Is there a reason that you did
not choose a mounting site closer to the grapple?

About those switches....are they waterproof? It is hard to find waterproof
switches.

Excellent machine work, as usual, Rob. I like the recessed pivot pin
zerks, too. I noticed that the newer JD 400cx FEL uses recessed zerks that
are drilled off center. I wonder what's up with that. Wish I had a photo.

Thanks Dave, I figured you'd like those pins like that. A simple detail for good lubrication, but sometimes overlooked.

I see Surplus Center's web site is undergoing construction today? Yup, that valve allows parallel use of bucket and FEL. The big question is there enough hydraulic flow to make it really happen. On my Kama, if I "feather" the FEL (both bucket and fel) I can get them to all move at the same time when I press the button for the grapples. You saw videos of when I did my Kama installation, right?

WR Long also has a valve like that, and that one is on my Kama. It came with a Hyvair valve, DO3 subplate, joystick handle with switch for about $350/$380 bucks. I had to order it through my local Kubota dealer since they don't sell to individuals. It is an excellent valve, but as a comparison, the stuff I got from Surplus Center was less expensive to do the same thing totaling $158.35 I did have to buy the joystick handle and switch separately, but it totaled $112. So altogether it cost $270 plus shipping. I made my own brackets for both, so that's a wash.
Here's a comparison of valves and joysticks with switches.
Loretta's Handle. She got a rocker switch instead of the buttons. And her Eaton Vickers Valve and subplate with Hirschmann connectors. The connectors sit on top of the blue valve.



Here's my valve all mounted and wired up sitting on top of the subplate. Also the my joystick handle with rocker switch in it.



Her Scorpion handle as you can see from photos above, is way nicer looking than the generic one I got from WR Long. The package was less money and will do the same as the WR Long valve. The valves and switches are all pretty waterproof. I've had no problems there. Now, if you can modify your own joystick handle to add a switch, you've be money ahead. My koyker handle was like that, but at the time I had no clue I could do that. You can see all the little pockets for possible switches and buttons. It looks like the Scorpion handle a little.



The reason for mounting the valves where I did...
First, I found the FEL tube connection to the block a good place and safely protected.
The hose runs from valve to other valves was shorter.
When the FEL is removed, the valve remains on the tractor with QC's on relatively short hoses. The rest of the hoses and grapple stay on the FEL arms and bucket.

 

[MarkStewart]

Awesome job on the grapple. I really want to learn to use some machine tools. Looks like allot of fun making some of that stuff.

 

[3RRL]

Awesome job on the grapple. I really want to learn to use some machine tools. Looks like allot of fun making some of that stuff.

Thanks Mark,
I think Loretta is having more fun than I am.
I know she's enjoying putting the grapples on her tractor better than when she helped me put mine on.

 

[Mrs3RRL]

Sorry I have been so busy doing our taxes, I haven't had a chance to update my grapples.
Last week Rob started fitting the grapples to the bucket, but he forgot the mounting plate. He wants to bolt them on now, in case we need to take them off the bucket later. Here are some pictures of what they should look like ... kinda.
Of course they will be painted to match HoneyBee.



While Rob was figuring out the hose length and what connectors he needs, I caught these pictures of him.
He didn't know I took them.

 

[Red55]

Loretta-
That picture of Rob looks like he's helping you with the TAXES! Seriously the grapple is a nice addition to your honey-bee! -Ed

 

[Mrs3RRL]

Later on Rob took some pictures while I was painting the grapples.
I primed them in the morning and started painting one side HoneyBee yellow.



Then later in the afternoon I applied the final coat on the other side. Now they are all finished painted. Rob is supposed to have the mounting plate ready to bring up to camp this week. I hope he gets all those holes drilled for me.
See, aren't they beautiful?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

nice job, I would not have been able to tell that the grapple was not professionally made. I think this sets the bar a little higher for all of us. I know I will struggle to meet that kind of quality!