Right connectors?

[Slippy]

I have purchased a grapple (has not arrived yet) and trying to figure out if these connectors will work and if the hoses are the right size. They were on my tractor when I bought it and I think it was used for some kind of front blade. Now, I want to hook up a grapple. The hoses are 1/2 inch and the connectors are larger than what I have seen, and I am not sure how they work, especially the top one. It does not seem to move in any way. Is it a cap of some kind?

The first picture is of the connectors I am speaking of.

The second picture is of the connectors that go to the rear remotes.

I have read that 1/2 inch hose is too big for a grapple, 1/4 is better. Should I change the whole thing out? Can I use these connectors? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[jmc]

Slippy,

I'm no expert but I went thru this with my grapple order too. It looks like your front connectors are the skid steer type (flat face) and the ones that came standard on my grapple were similiar too your rear ones (Pioneer?). I had to exchange the pioneer and $35 for the flatfaced but it would have been a lot easier to have ordered it that way to begin with. I suggest you call the manufacturer to see if you can correct it before they ship it. Give them whatever number you can find on the front connectors.

The good thing about 1/4 hose is that it may restrict the flow so the grapple doesn't operate too fast. At this point, since you already have 1/2 hose, just stick with it and if you can't control the speed well enough, get a flow restrictor. Besides, you may want the 1/2 someday for a higher flow implement like an auger or something.

John

 

[MadReferee]

I would suggest you change out those flush face connectors for standard Ag couplers (Parker 4000 or equivalent). If I recall, these flush face connectors are VERY expensive while the Parker 4000's are relatively inexpensive. I'd change the rear ones too as they look a bit well used.

Go to Discount Hydraulic Hose, take a look at their online catalogs and give them a call. They are very helpfull. Tell them you came from TBN, as they post here too.

 

[TwinWillows]

The connectors in the first photo are flat face skid steer connectors. I've seen adaptors for these that convert directly to the "universal" tractor kind.. I think the source was Discount Hydraulic which Mad posted. The adaptors would be nice to keep if you ever want to rent a skid steer attachment.. If not it'd probably be easier to just swap them out for universal. Your call.

 

[Slippy]

I tried to take a closer look at the connectors and I think the male says FE 502 12FO and the female is FE 501 12FO-NL. I went to discount hydraulics but their part numbers do not match up and there are several different flushface connectors. I am still searching for a way to match these up.

 

[MadReferee]

I tried to take a closer look at the connectors and I think the male says FE 502 12FO and the female is FE 501 12FO-NL. I went to discount hydraulics but their part numbers do not match up and there are several different flushface connectors. I am still searching for a way to match these up.

Did you actually call Discount Hydraulic Hose? They are a real store front and have knowledgeable people who can help you cross reference parts. I doubt if any two manufacturers parts numbers match, so you really need a cross reference chart which they most likely have.

 

[Dirthog]

those are Parker connectors the 502 is about $30 while the 501 is $55 but they are very good couplers less problems with dirt getting into the system with them than ag type easier to clean up to. That is why most mfg are using them.