Now what did I do?

[moored4]

the bent cyl was probably caused by an induced load (backing up and snagging on the ground).....the "over-pressure" has no way to relieve itself when the control valve is in neutral.....if it had a work port relief in the control valve then the cyl would just retract when it hit that condition...

Another thing for you is to check that hose crimp in the pics.....it looks like a Gates hose end that was not properly crimped, it shouldn't have a bulge on the neck

Good catch! :thumbsup:

 

[Alpha Dog]

Another interesting note, I looked at the original website for the grapple manufacturer, where it said "ships with" and it was supposed to be an 1.5x8 cylinder, but it ended up being "drop shipped" since it was out of stock, and they sent a 1.5 x 10" cylinder. I made that "assume" mistake, thinking maybe the specs had changed, and just installed it. That, I'm sure, contributed to my problem. Well, as I freely admitted at first, I probably know as much about the far side of the moon as I know about hydraulics (and I basically know there IS a far side), so this is going to be a steep (and expensive) learning experience for me.

 

[J_J]

Alpha Dog,

That is what I said in post #5, that the cyl rod was maybe too long.

Why don't you put the ownership for the bent rod on them, and insist they make your grapple setup as new and complete with correct cyl.

I would send them the pictures of the bent rod and demand they replace it. Nothing to lose .

 

[Alpha Dog]

Kind of why I covered up the manufacturer's name on the pictures. Don't want to ruin any chance of a replacement. It also may be a mistake on the part of the company where the manufacturer ordered the cylinder, so maybe the grapple maker can get them to make it right.

The only reason I'm not "holding out" is that my "3rd Retirement" job demands a lot of my time, and so does working at the farm. In my part of Texas, it will be too hot and dry to burn brush in a month or so, and I need to get the areas cleared and moved into safe burning locations.

 

[woodlandfarms]

One concern I have is that the Grapple does not hit the teeth of the bucket, but goes in. I wonder if you were to forget your grapple is closed, or attempt to push something with the grapple closed, if you are not going to end up with another bent rod.

 

[wdchyd]

One concern I have is that the Grapple does not hit the teeth of the bucket, but goes in. I wonder if you were to forget your grapple is closed, or attempt to push something with the grapple closed, if you are not going to end up with another bent rod.

good point..

 

[J_J]

Your loader PRV probably provides relief for the grapple if it is after the loader valve and before the remote valve/3pt.

 

[Alpha Dog]

One concern I have is that the Grapple does not hit the teeth of the bucket, but goes in. I wonder if you were to forget your grapple is closed, or attempt to push something with the grapple closed, if you are not going to end up with another bent rod.

That much I know how to address, I'm just going to weld on a couple of "spurs" on the front of the grapple tines, extending it just enough to hit the bucket and make up for the "unintended extra clearance" I got when I reinforced the top of the bucket. It is only clearing the cutting edge by a very small amount. Shouldn't add much weight, and I can kind of adjust the shape to avoid damaging the cutting edge of the bucket.

The other issue I'll address by measuring just how short of a cylinder I can get away with and still close the grapple, and order that one. Reading spec sheets, and depending on whose cylinder, it looks like a grapple with an 8" stroke is actually going to be 4" shorter than the 10" stroke cylinder I got. That's probably why it was the 10" one, and at this point, I realize everything I change is going to change something else in the system. (Back to "measure three or four times, stop and think, measure again, then cut.")

 

[wdchyd]

(Back to "measure three or four times, stop and think, measure again, then cut.")

Great words of wisdom and experience Alpha Dog....:thumbsup:

 

[jinman]

AlphaDog, I hate to run down a product, but I would not be very happy with that grapple in its basic design. Below, I've included a few photos of my thumb style grapple attached to my rock bucket. My grapple was designed to go on a loader bucket, but I built a mount for my rock bucket and installed it so I could use the bucket for brush and the grapple to help me hold onto large rocks.

If you look at my grapple, the mounting pivots are all on top of the beam. Your cylinder mount is on the top, but the grapple jaw pivots are on the front of the grapple beam (angle iron). They probably did that for additional length while using a bit less material. Also my hydraulic cylinder moves the grapple through its complete arch with only about 5" to 6" of extension. I don't even use the entire 8" rod length. The long rod extension and geometry of the mounts seem to be the downfall of your grapple.