Simple grapple attach

[bcarwell]

I'm looking for a simple, least expensive way to add a grapple fork to my Kubota 7500, and I'm just now trying to come up to speed on hydraulics. Sorry I don't know all the lingo yet. I've read the several threads on adding grapples and some of them seem pretty involved and elaborate with $600 joysticks to simultaneously control lift, curl, grapple, etc..

So here is my newbie question: can I put some sort of electrically controlled diverter on the two lines going to the curl cylinders of my FEL and divert the hydraulic flows from the curl cylinders to the grapple cylinder ? I realize that in doing so I cannot curl when operating the grapple and vice versa. But I am just simply trying to grasp and move some piles of brush and don't need an elaborate expensive setup. Doesn't seem I'd need to be able to simultaneously curl and move the grappler. I'm just grabbing some brush on top of some forks on the cutting edge of my bucket.

I would anticipate just a simple easily mounted electrical switch to control the diverters so that its grapple on/curl off or grapple off/curl on, and then use my existing FEL controller to control the grapple when its on (using obviously the curl positions of the FEL controller).

If the above is okay, what are those electrically controlled diverter thingies called (electro servo valve or what ?) and how do you size them and what's a good source, model/mfg # ? And what are the gotchas to doing what I propose ? My Kubota has an LA272 FEL and 4.4gpm hydraulics but I've never seen the psi spec (2000 or 2500 ?) FWIW.

Not to worry this is only at the conceptual stage. I will do all my homework on hydraulics stuff before starting so as to not kill myself or my tractor.

Thanks for any input, reference to threads, etc.

 

[kennyd]

Search the term "diverter" in the Hydraulics forum...hours of reading there

 

[slicktierney]

Search on username "dfkrug" he's got a great 12v solenoid valve set up to run the hydraulics in series. "Easier". Mcmaster-Carr and Surplus center sell them or go to the mfg "hydraforce" there are many others. There is some simple bucket sideplate bolt on grapples in here somewhere too, I'll keep looking. Cheers
http://www.wrlonginc.com/valve_kits.htm

 

[guyd]

I simply added a 'spool valve' for a 'double acting cylinder' after the normal 'joystick' you probably have. This now controlls, idependently, another grapple cylinder. simple as.

go to your local supplier, with the pipes you have coming OUT of the joystick thingy, and explain what you want to do.

 

[bcarwell]

GUYD- could you tell me what the make/model and source for the spool valve was ? And how the connections ran ? The only way I have heard to connect off the FEL control (without simply diverting both lines from the curl cylinder to the grapple cylinder with a diverter) is to hook a two way spool valve (I guess like a log splitter valve) to the "power beyond" port of the FEL control and run the two lines from the two way valve to the two ports of the two way grapple cylinder. I gathered it was okay to hook in series with the power beyond because it was running to the 3 point hitch which you wouldn't be operating when operating the grapple.

Bob

 

[forester2]

I went to the hydraulics forum and there were many great posts on adding additional control valves; pictures, diagrams etc. Plus, tons of posts on different grapples-home made and purchased on this forum.