Grapple Root Grapple Problem -- Keeps falling off

catvet · Oct 13, 2006

Have had my L-39 for about a month now. Love the tractor and the attachments esp. my root grapple (JRW 72") which has allowed me to move a lot of material and logs.

My problem is the grapple has fallen off 5-6 times with the last being today when it came off while I had it raised and ruptured several hydraulic hoses.

Any suggestions? Is there a way to adjust how far the pins of the disconnect go into the implement opening? The grapple seems to pop off the bottom. Sometimes I have a full load, sometimes nothing. Today I hadn't picked anything up yet. Does seem to be when the grapple is curled down. Should something be welded onto the opening for the quick connect to make it deeper?

IslandTractor · Oct 13, 2006

Something is seriously wrong and that is very dangerous. That grapple should never fall off. Do the bottom pins of the QA adapter engage fully? Does the adapter locking mechanism loosen up? Is it properly adjusted? Is the locking mechanism for the adapter coming loose and opening? You did not specify whether you have the Kubota QA or a universal "skid steer" QA. I don't know how the Kubota system works exactly but I presume your dealer knows about this problem and can help. Different QA adapters have completely different strategies for locking the implement in place so it is hard to troubleshoot without knowing more about your adapter.

Sorry about your problem. Please do post when you figure out what went wrong.

PineRidge · Oct 13, 2006

After I mount an implement on the FEL using the QA I raise the FEL and make sure that the pins are always engaged (pass through) in the plates. As a result I have never had an implement fall off while in use.

I will say that more than once the pins did not fully engage because of dirt or mud but it was caught on inspection.

CurlyDave · Oct 14, 2006

PineRidge said:
After I mount an implement on the FEL using the QA I raise the FEL and make sure that the pins are always engaged (pass through) in the plates. As a result I have never had an implement fall off while in use.

I will say that more than once the pins did not fully engage because of dirt or mud but it was caught on inspection.

I do pretty much the same thing. I raise the the FEL arms and inspect the implement, first from the seat, and then from the ground before I hook up the hydraulic lines. That way, if something goes wrong, I don't lose any hydraulic hoses.

Several times, I have caught a situation where I had to set the grapple back down on the ground and re-lift with more, or sometimes less, curl in order to get the grapple, or the bucket, to seat properly. On my JD 110 TLB, with standard skid steer attachment, I must lock the pins from the ground. I always make certain that the implement is no more than an inch off the ground and always contort my body to do the locking so that I am in no danger if the bucket or grapple falls off.

IslandTractor · Oct 14, 2006

CurlyDave said:
I must lock the pins from the ground. I always make certain that the implement is no more than an inch off the ground and always contort my body to do the locking so that I am in no danger if the bucket or grapple falls off.

Good idea. The other thing I do after picking up the grapple with just the top lip is to curl the bucket so the weight of the grapple tends to push the bottom of the grapple into the correct position for locking. It is also pretty easy to feel when the pins are locked on my adapter.

The more I think about this the more it seems catvet is either having trouble locking the grapple on or the adapter locking arms are coming loose due to a poor adjustment. When my adapter was new there was a nut that backed off one side of the locking arm mechanism that prevented the lever from locking in place. I tightened it and it is now fine. From the little I can tell on your loader it appears you have the proprietary Kubota style adapter and I don't know if those have a similar mechanism. Your dealer should inspect it to be sure and also so show you how to determine the adapter pins are locked before you use the implement.

Haoleguy · Oct 14, 2006

IslandTractor - I'm with you there on the adapter as being the issue. It could be a poor fit or that there are fastners which are vibrating loose. With my Worksaver Grapple I usually run the inspection at the end of the day and periodically test the bolts making any connections on the unit. I would also suggest having an experienced dealer take a look. Very nice TLB congrats on the purchase.

Glowplug · Oct 14, 2006

DUCTAPE!!!

Seriously though, that is a real problem. What is the type of grapple you have? Maybe you could post a photo of the grapple attached to the loader with focus on the pins. I bet it may need to just get broken in some so that they fit and lock into place. It sounds as though you have been using it without the loader seating in place and hence the pins not fully locking the attachment in.

catvet · Oct 14, 2006

Thanks for the feedback thus far. I've emailed back and forth with the dealer and they are sending Someone up to look at it next week. I haven't managed to get the grapple out of where it tumbled after its fall. Was busy with other things today. Will try to get Some pics once I get it hooked up again. Next undertakings (after rescuing it from behind the scrap woodpile) is to get new hoses for it.

David_Kb7uns · Oct 15, 2006

If that is the Kubota quick attach adapter, I have heard of people adding washers under the springs on the pins to make them a little stiffer and not let them back out as easy.. Have the adapter on the L3130 and every once in a while will notice the bucket pushing on the tapered section of the pins and they will back out some but have never had the bucket fully disconect. You may also curl the grapples back some so that they have a rotational force against the back of the adapter because if you have it curled all the way forward you are carrying a load on those pins where if it was a bucket or forks they would be pointing down and usually empty.

David

WALT · Oct 16, 2006

catvet said:
Thanks for the feedback thus far. I've emailed back and forth with the dealer and they are sending Someone up to look at it next week. I haven't managed to get the grapple out of where it tumbled after its fall. Was busy with other things today. Will try to get Some pics once I get it hooked up again. Next undertakings (after rescuing it from behind the scrap woodpile) is to get new hoses for it.

catvet:
I posted this reply on 26 April 2006 re: "grapple comes loose". I welded 3/8" angle to the bottom of the grapple plate where the pins engage. It was a quick simple fix that has not failed.

WALT.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=867956

WALT · Oct 16, 2006

Ooop's

If you go to the thread, you can see the picture I posted at the time.
Bad computer operator, better tractor operator.

WALT

catvet · Oct 16, 2006

Thanks Walt. The dealer is going to pick up the tractor and grapple on Thursday and check it out. Will see what they come up with. It coincides with my 50 hour service so that works out well.

catvet · Oct 20, 2006

UPDATE! Talked with service department this afternoon they agree there is a problem with the grapple. They think that the top plate isn't deep enough. They are taking some pics. They will get the manufacturer to pay for the repair. Will probably take until early next week to get the tractor back. Hopefully will solve the problem and we can get more work done. It's snowing here at this point so running out of time.

catvet · Oct 24, 2006

Got the L-39 and grapple back today. What the dealer did was rebuild the top "pocket" making it deeper. Hopefully it does the job. Just in case anyone is interested the dealer didn't charge me for the modifications (which makes sense) or transport since they did the 50 hour at the same time and my salesperson and I had agreed that everything, including transport, would be included in the original price. They are also moving my other tractor from one property to the other at no charge (about 20 miles). Hard to complain about any of this.

PineRidge · Oct 24, 2006

Did the dealer cover the hoses that were damaged because of the fault?

catvet · Oct 24, 2006

Mike,

No actually they did not and I didn't pursue that, probably should have. I had replaced the hoses ($50 total) prior to them repairing the unit. I was hoping I could make use of it before the dealer got to it. Obviously didn't work out.

Still happy with the way the dealer resolved the problem. Last time I moved my B7800 from my other property it cost me $150 so I look at as being ahead by $100.