OH YES! yet another GRAPPLE THREAD!

[fattyfat1]

my JD dealer told me today that i cannot put a grapple on my 2305? i have been reading anything and everything i can on grapples here on tbn and it seems that it is definetely feasible but i'm not sure. his reasons- not enough hydraulic power, shared hydraulic system (power steering, FEL, rockshaft, and tranny all share system) i said, they run a backhoe don't they? his answer- yes, but the tractor is stationary. i could have a grapple, but i would either not have fwd-reverse, use of 3-pt. lift, because it would rob these hydraulic functions of power. i don't know if i buy this theory? i haven't seen any 2305's with a grapple, but i've seen plenty o' bota's w/ one that are the same hp. and LESS gpm. hydraulic function than mine. so who out there has a claw on their little tractor? i would really appreciate some pics and explanations on this. obviously i want to go small and light. The Thumb so as not to detract from lift capacity.
HELP!

 

[BTDT]

Isn't a grapple just one additional cylinder on the loader bucket? Maybe someone else has a better grip (no pun intended) on subject, but it doesn't sound to me like it would be that big of a deal. You can still use your loader while traveling, why not the grapple?

 

[MadReferee]

Your dealer isn't too bright or he has other motives for telling you that fantasy story.

You have several options for installing a grapple and none of them will cause your tractor to have the kind of issues that dealer is talking about. A bucket grapple like the Tatro or the Thumb will work perfectly on your tractor.

Since grapples are probably the most posted about attachment in the past year, do some searching for grapples here on TBN and you will get more information than you ever wanted to know. There are plenty of posts containing installation pictures and plumbing and valve options.

Happy searching.

 

[jeffinsgf]

He sounds a bit confused. The first and foremost issue is to have someone (maybe not him) get you a third SCV. Since JD has them for tractors much smaller than your 2305, I can't imagine that they don't have a 3rd SCV or a diverter switch for that model. Look it up on the JD website where you build your own 2305. If the third SCV option is there, write down the BM part number and take it to your dealer.

 

[dtd24]

With all this experience here, why even ask the dealer? Not sure how long you have been a TBN'er but this is the best place for tractor knowledge.

Back to the dealers answer, the grapple would only "rob" the system while closing or opening, right? I could live with that. Pull up to pile with grapple open, close on pile, move bucket and drive away.

Simple

 

[RollTideRam]

Your dealer must be very talented to drive forward while turning, lifting the bucket while curling it and raise the 3pt at the same time. JC

 

[rdln]

I think like the others that your dealer is wrong but even if right, if any tractor has a pto then a pump, reservoir and valves can be added to power hydralic implements.

 

[Deerlope]

Your dealer is just blowing smoke up your butt. He may even be smoking something himself. To make a statement like that is just being plain stupid.Sure doesn't say much for JD and the knowledgeable sales people that they are supposed to have on staff. A grappler will work just fine on that tractor.

 

[JasonL]

Here is a link to a diverter/grapple setup I installed on my JD 4110 some time ago. It should work fine on a 2305/200cx also.



http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/69093-another-diverter-valve-grapple-setup.html

 

[fattyfat1]

i guess i don't understand why they would tell me it wouldn't work? i would think for a parts sale they would be willing to bend over backwards to make this work. this is my third tractor bought from there in three years, it's a small dealer, so i'm kinda like their best customer! i've allways been really happy w/ the way i've been treated there, but this just seems lazy and unreasearched on their end. could they be worried this addition will void my warranty? i'm losing faith in this dealer fast.... i have one 20mi. north and 20mi. south of me but this one is sooo close.

 

[MadReferee]

i guess i don't understand why they would tell me it wouldn't work?

Try ignorance, lazyness or maybe he has something else up his sleeve.

In today's internet world it would be to the dealership's benefit to become familiar with what is available and what is being done to thier product by others who are much more savvy that they are. Old timers who have the "my wy or no way" attitude will soon find themselves out of business. This should be a topic all by itself.

 

[JasonL]

Check out my thread I linked to earlier- it has a JD part number for a Fasse valve. Surely if you gave your dealer that he could go from there. I agree it would be nice if the dealers could keep up on everything, but it just doesn't always work that way!

As far as a diverter not being able to work on lower gpm hydraulic systems, that just doesn't add up. By definition the diverter is only redirecting the flow of fluid- so if the usual function worked the new one will too!

Good Luck! Jason

 

[Glowplug]

I wouldn't convict the dealer of being a stupid liar quite yet. He may be just confused or ignorant of what you are asking about. If you can put ONE rear remote on that tractor you have more than enough hydraulic power to put a grapple. To be fair, he may be thinking you are asking about an 800# or heavier grapple that is built for industrial skidsteer loaders. (Like what I've got. ) You could very easily put a perfectly functional useful grapple on that tractor. You have numerous options available to you. Of course, your dealer may just be a stupid liar.

 

[fattyfat1]

I wouldn't convict the dealer of being a stupid liar quite yet. He may be just confused or ignorant of what you are asking about.

i printed a copy of the The Thumb website and handed it to him. i also showed him what i was talking about by opening up TBN on his countertop monitor and showed him examples from these forums. they have never even HEARD of this website before! so you all can make your own conclusions from here. i'm not going to sit here and bash this dealer because they have treated me well, but i am rightfully VERY unimpressed with their lack of knowledge on the equipment they sell. this is a logging town, and if any dealer should know about tools for clearing property and dealing with wood debris, it should be them. thanks for the input everyone, i guess if you need something done right, do it yourself!

 

[RollTideRam]

My dealer had a book, I don't remember what brand, that had some heavier duty grapples in it. He had not heard of the Millonzi (light weight) that I was talking about. He uses a local welding shop that makes pallet forks for alot cheaper than the Deere ones, and said they had a jig to make up the brackets for the Millonzi to fit my 200cx. They had heard of Fasse before, but did not have any contact info. I used their computer to show pictures, but the Fasse website was down. A few day later the Website was up and I got some part numbers and the 800 number. He got the diverter prices for me and ordered it for me. Since then Millonzi is trying to make the grapple fit my loader. My diverter is in and when the grapple comes in, I'll let the dealer do the plumbing work for me.
I said all that to say, Most dealers don't keep up with all the "aftermarket" stuff for tractors, but my dealer was eager to help me with what they could. JC

 

[RonMar]

Maybe he was trying to steer you to the conclusion that your tractor just isn't big enough and that you should maybe look into buying a bigger one that will support a grapple

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Maybe he was trying to steer you to the conclusion that your tractor just isn't big enough and that you should maybe look into buying a bigger one that will support a grapple

This was my thought also, if you have bought 3 tractors in 3 years, maybe he thinks it's time for 4 tractors in 4 years. You just never know.

 

[fattyfat1]

thanks jasonl, i was able to find all those parts to make this work!

 

[tlfbx23]

I have a BX23 with a grapple. It works with a diverter valve - electronic switch mounted on the dash. Diverts fluid from the curl function on the loader valve to the grapple. Works just fine and am sure glad to have it. I don't have the threads in front of me, but a search on this site foe BX23 grapple should give you some more things to look at.