I recently got a new NS with a grapple. It came from the dealer with the grapple installed. I'm using the rear aux remote hydraulic lines to run this grapple, rather than a real third function setup. I haven't taken the grapple off since I got the tractor. I was moving a bunch of downed tree limbs the other day, and noticed that I was pulling back on the lever to open the grapple and pushing to close it, which is opposite of the way it moves. It seemed counter intuitive, so I figured I would just swap the connections to effectively reverse the way the lever had been working. Problem was, I couldn't reconnect the fittings at all. After a few minutes online, I realized my mistake. I had failed to bleed off the pressure on the lines in the grapple and the balls on the fittings would not compress and allow reconnection. I finally had to get a couple of wrenches and open a line, making a mess of spilled hydraulic fluid, to allow reconnection. All is well now, and I'll try not to make that rookie mistake again. I see online that there are tools that allow this pressure release, but they are pricey. If I took the grapple on and off a lot, it might be worth it, but for now, I'll just pay attention. Apparently this happens also if your grapple sits in the sun before you connect it.
Rookie Grapple Mistake
- Thread starter WRX
- Start date
holeycow
Gold Member
You did it the hard way. Simply shut the tractor off. Wiggle the remote lever that you are hooked into a few times stop-to-stop. (Once back and forth probably does it)..anyway, just flop the lever back and forth a bit, voila! Pressure released/equalized. Hook-up as usual..then restart tractor.
LilTractrThatCould
Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2021
- Messages
- 31
- Tractor
- Kioti CX2510
Mine has to have key on to release the pressure on 3rd function
oosik
Super Star Member
I have a nylon rod - 6" long/1/2" in diameter. Put rod on the ball - gentle hit on rod with hammer. Wahlaa - pressure released. If you want to be really "up town" - cover the entire operation with a shop rag. Catch any oil spray.
Phantese
Bronze Member
Always wear gloves and eye protection when working around hydraulics, high pressure water/oil any fluid can be dangerous if it pierces your skin, now that I've scared the poop outta ya have fun with the Grapple!
Dave Canfield
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2008
- Messages
- 157
Another situation where pressure can keep you from making the hydraulic connections is when picking up the grapple after having a different attachment on the loader.
My grapple does not have any features to hold it up when I remove it from the loader, so I open it up halfway and set it on the tips of the grapple. When I come to mount it back on later, I have to remember to make the hydraulic connections before I rotate the grapple upright. Otherwise, the weight of the front of the grapple will hang against the cylinder pistons and build up pressure in one of the hoses.
If I can rotate the grapple on the loader such that the front of the grapple hangs freely, the hoses can then be connected easily. If I can't do that, I prop up the front of the grapple with a stick.
At any rate, I try to remember to make the hydraulic connections before I pick up the grapple.
Dave
My grapple does not have any features to hold it up when I remove it from the loader, so I open it up halfway and set it on the tips of the grapple. When I come to mount it back on later, I have to remember to make the hydraulic connections before I rotate the grapple upright. Otherwise, the weight of the front of the grapple will hang against the cylinder pistons and build up pressure in one of the hoses.
If I can rotate the grapple on the loader such that the front of the grapple hangs freely, the hoses can then be connected easily. If I can't do that, I prop up the front of the grapple with a stick.
At any rate, I try to remember to make the hydraulic connections before I pick up the grapple.
Dave
herm0016
Platinum Member
good lesson. one also gets very familiar with this situation when running hydraulic equipment at different elevations.