Grapple Question about my new AnBo grapple

[Rolando]

I just got my AnBo hydraulic grapple and I have a question about it's operation.

I set the engine rev for a comfortable speed to close the grapple, but then the speed to open it is slow or nonexistent. I keep having to rev up the engine every time I want to open the grapple, then throttling back for clamping down and moving the load.

Is this normal? Shouldn't the speed of the cylinders be the same expanding and contracting for a given engine speed?

By the way, I got the 5 foot GR that I'm using on my Bobcat Toolcat.

Thanks,
Rolando

 

[Willl]

I would think they should be the same.
Any kinks in any of the hoses ?

Nice looking grapple, if I may, what it cost ?

 

[agh]

i like the looks of the grapple, considering one to clean up debris and overgrown bushes on farm. emailed for price and info, they look heavier duty than what I have seen at local dealers lot. agh

 

[IslandTractor]

I use rear remotes to control my grapple. Open and close are equal speeds. If both open and close circuits are the same diameter there must be some obstruction in the line I would imagine. Try switching the hoses and see if it is close that is slower.

 

[PineRidge]

I'm not familiar with AnBo but make sure that you don't have adjustable flow valves at the grapple cylinder. Some restrict flow one way and completely open the other way. If you have two it's only a matter of adjustment to get the speed both ways correct.

 

[SkyPup]

The ANBO 3" hydraulic cylinders on my heavy duty ANBO root grapple do not have any flow rate adjusters on the cylinders or on the grapple anywhere. They flow exactly the same rate opening and closing, there is no difference between their speed whatsoever in either direction.

The only explanation is that one of the flow circuits of your ToolCat's operational circuit is impeded, ie. it cannot deliver the same amount of flow, most likely an electronic solenoid that is not fully actualizing.

 

[IslandTractor]

Switching the hydraulic lines at the grapple would be a helpful diagnostic test. If the slow function is reversed then the problem is in the Toolcat. If the problem remains the same then there must be a problem with the grapple hydraulics.

 

[RonMar]

If anything, it should open slightly faster as the rod end of the cylinder has less volume because of the fluid displaced by the rod itself. Feeding the same GPM into the rod end should cause it to move faster in that direction. Of course because of this it also has less force available for a given pressure, but since you are just opening it, this should not really be a factor. If it were a drag or lack of force issue, you may notice a decrease in engine RPM as you open the grappel and that cylinder and the hydraulics come under heavy load. I would think it unlikley that there is excessive drag/binding in only one direction though. Are there any other valves or assemblies in the circuit such as a diverter valve which allows you to piggy back control the grapple with an existing spool valve on the machine such as bucket curl? Could also be debris in the line acting like a check valve and partially blocking the flow in one direction. Swapping the hoses at the grapple cylinder is a good troubleshooting step and will tell if it is in the grapple or the plumbing.

 

[WALT]

Rolando:

I have a 6' Anbo grapple on my Kubota L-39. In addition to the info posted already, the hose size that supplies the hydraulics determines the GPM flow. The more flow, the faster the hydro cylinders operate.
I plumbed my aux. hydro line to the loader with 1/2" lines from a W.R. Long
valve kit. It includes a rocker switch on the loader joystick to operate the valve. I have used the grapple for 100+ hours now, with a smooth constant
operation of the grapple. I have full open/close at engine idle.

Good luck in solving your issue, I call the Anbo my "backsaver".

WALT

 

[SkyPup]

Ditto to that Walt!