No longer a Tractor Buyer... Now a Tractor Owner!

bmac · Mar 20, 2004

One thing that's got me is that the grapple is on the first remote, but so is the backhoe, so I have to change a quick connect from the backhoe line to the grapple line to switch which one I use. 

This is the same way my BH is plumbed on my TC 29 D. Generally this is not an issue as this 1st remote is for your 3-point hitch. Once you have the BH attached, you don't want to inadvertantly raise the 3PH as it would run into some resistance real quickly. However, in your case, the grapple is plumbed into this (which raises a question for me - can you not use the grapple and the 3PH at the same time when the BH is not attached? Hmmm...) Now, with your additional remotes you should be in good shape, except that the hydraulic line for the grapple is not long enough to reach the quick disconnects for the 2nd and 3rd remotes, assumming they are located behind the seat like mine are. So, other than this little bump in the road, you are ready for some fine tractoring.

Congratulations!

PineRidge · Mar 20, 2004

On my TC-40D my backhoe is actually connected to a power beyond port. Which looks to me like nothing more than a plate with a tapped port where the remotes would normally be mounted. When this connection is made it overrides the 3-point lift mechanism.

kozak · Mar 20, 2004

Now that's what I call one MEAN Machine !~!!! The talk of the town. Cool Grapple. Would really like to see a profile shot with the boom up. That way could see the backhoe as well. CONGRATULATIONS......just an awesome machine. I'm sure you'll have fun !!

StoneyFF · Mar 20, 2004

Kozak,

Hmm... if I understand what you're asking for, I think I can manage that in the next few days... <we aim to please <grin>>...


Stoney
{If I do it right, it'll look like some kind of dinosaur... big long tail, ferocious teeth... tiny little brain in the driver seat <grin>}

StoneyFF · Mar 20, 2004

Murph, Lablovers, JayC, Andy, JimI, bnac, PineRidge, Kozak...

Thanks for all the kind words and congratulations... It's really nice to be able to tell folks who 'get it' and know that they know how great I feel <smile>...

Andy, Jim, bmac, PineRidge,

Glad I'm not the only one this doesn''t make sense too... I suspect the setup was done to avoid buying another remote, as this guy almost never used the back hoe, so I think that my only problem now will be hose length and location. I was thinking of getting new hoses anyway, since I don't like the way the hoses are routed from the grapple anyway... want more slack so I can route them along the boom arm and back and under so the only place I need slack is at the very front by the bucket... guess I'm going to learn more about hydraulics too <grin>... I think that the dealer didn't think about it... we talked about the remotes independently of the discussion of moving the connection (which happened much earlier, when I was test driving, the remotes were added later when we were talking the deal)... but I think I'm going to ask him about it when I talk to him this week... He was a pretty good guy, when I asked about the draw bar, he described both kinds and said the one came with it. When I asked how much the one that goes between the two lower arms of the TPH cost, he said he'd find one and throw it in... Much better than a hat or key chain <grin>...

Jim, was it you who built your own hydraulic top link for the TPH? If so, could you give me the info on how you did that, or point me to the tread where you talked about it? That's high on my list of things I want to do soon... especially with the post hole digger and other attachments. Thanks.

Stoney
{course, we're getting a COLD front in tonight, so may not be doing too much on the tractor till the middle of next week when it (the weather, not the tractor <grin>) warms up again <sigh>... }

bmac · Mar 21, 2004

On my TC-40D my backhoe is actually connected to a power beyond port. Which looks to me like nothing more than a plate with a tapped port where the remotes would normally be mounted. When this connection is made it overrides the 3-point lift mechanism. 

We may be talking about the same thing. As a tractor neophyte, I don't always use the right terminology. The quick attach I use for the back hoe (that disables my 3PH) is located on the undercarriage close to the vertical support of the FEL, a place I find somewhat difficult to access.

PineRidge · Mar 21, 2004

On my TC-40D my backhoe is actually connected to a power beyond port. Which looks to me like nothing more than a plate with a tapped port where the remotes would normally be mounted. When this connection is made it overrides the 3-point lift mechanism.

We may be talking about the same thing. As a tractor neophyte, I don't always use the right terminology. The quick attach I use for the back hoe (that disables my 3PH) is located on the undercarriage close to the vertical support of the FEL, a place I find somewhat difficult to access. 

That is one of the 2 connections required. The second connection point is a quick coupler in the rear of the tractor (see attachment) where your remotes would normally be mounted.

henryjacobjosh · Mar 21, 2004

( I'm a happy camper... I'll attach some pics... )

Can't say I blame you! Thats a nice rig you got there. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Hope you have lots of fun playing and when you have time working to I suppose. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I'm sure they could do something for your grapple remotes.

jinman · Mar 21, 2004

Stoney, I think I understand about your remotes now that you mentioned the hose to the grapple. Your dealer can probably come up with a better hose connection or do something else to help you there.

I can tell you that my hydraulic toplink is great, but now I'd not go the way I did if I had it all to do again. Carter & Carter Machinery (CCM) has a double-piloted toplink that is the right size and a much better unit for the price. I'll try to find a link to them and post it at a later time.

When I got my toplink, I didn't know of any other source and bought a Cat. II toplink from Baileynet.com. That toplink is about 2" too long for my taste and I have to use bushings to size it down to Cat. I 3/4" pins. The cost of the units is about the same and all you have to do is buy hoses and quick connectors to hook it up to your remote valve. Save yourself some of the little problems I have and go with the CCM unit. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

jinman · Mar 22, 2004

Hydraulic Toplink

Stoney, here is the link to CCM's hydraulic toplinks. They have three sizes and also have a hose kit to go along with them. I think the 18"-26" is the best size for a Class III Boomer.

Also, if you get the type of post-hole digger most of us have, you have to remove the toplink to use the PHD. The beam that holds the auger hooks directly to the tractor's toplink pin.