"The Thumb" Bucket Grapple questions

[Oldpath05]

Yep, it is a good way, but it will be a bit more costly. Maybe about $800 or so. it is just a matter of how you want it to work, and how much you want to pay. You can also source all of the parts yourself, the DO3 subplate and electric/hydraulic valve and the hoses and fittings yourself,and save some bucks over the custom kit.

I wouldn't know where to begin in finding those same parts ands what's a DO3 sub plate, I'm lost already and I haven't even bought the thumb grapple yet, it's a good thing I have grey orange and green tape on my lines.
I'd pay $300.00 all day long for that kit, $400.00 I'd have to do half day of thinking, more than $500.00 I'll have to do some online searching for something that will work like that kit. All I want is a separate open/close control buttons on my bucket lever so I can still curl the bucket at the same time I grab a log.

 

[Oldpath05]

I went with WR Long 3rd function and I love it. I convinced myself I didn't want a diverter valve. I would like to play with someone's loader that has a diverter valve to see if I made the right choice, but I have no complaints with 3rd function.

You must have great self communication skills like me, I talk to myself all the time and convinced myself too that I don't want a diverter valve, and I'm talking to myself right now trying to figure out what is a WR Long 3rd function is, it took a few post for me to get PB.

 

[Oldpath05]

View attachment 413939

I wanted a grapple of this style for the longest time. I could not afford the one I wanted and I have friends (with lasers) that could have made me one, but with high strength A400, I still could not afford it.

Anyway, a friend spotted the above in a super shopper magazine. Some guy had bought it NEW at a Richie Brothers Auction in the States and brought it up to Canada. Paid $1200.00 Cash CDN (Thats about 65 cents american). I was not terribly impressed with the quality but I needed one ASAP. And you know what, against my impressions, I have not been able to break it! I have used it to handle logs, brush and stones, all up to the lifting capacity of the machine. I wish I had gotten one of these years ago!

The only thing I would prefer different, is to have dual grapples at the top, as a single one does not hold irregular shaped stuff very well.[/QUOTE

If I had one like yours, I'd want dual grapples to. I cant quite put my finger on it, but your Kubota looks different then my L3400, even the orange paint looks really really faded.

 

[k0ua]

I wouldn't know where to begin in finding those same parts ands what's a DO3 sub plate, I'm lost already and I haven't even bought the thumb grapple yet, it's a good thing I have grey orange and green tape on my lines.
I'd pay $300.00 all day long for that kit, $400.00 I'd have to do half day of thinking, more than $500.00 I'll have to do some online searching for something that will work like that kit. All I want is a separate open/close control buttons on my bucket lever so I can still curl the bucket at the same time I grab a log.

Ok,, well then you are going to want the true 3rd function then. You have talked yourself into it.. And it is a good way to go. I was trying to save you a few bucks if you wanted to source all the parts yourself. A DO3 subplate is the valve body that the electric over hydraulic solenoids fit on. The subplate (click here) is where the hydraulic fittings screw into, and the oil flows and is routed thru. The solenoids (click here) change the path of the oil when they are energized. A WR Long kit (you can get one here) is one brand of 3rd function kit. Similiar to the Construction Attachments 3rd function kit you posted the video on.

 

[triptester]

An inexpensive route is to run hose from the rear remotes to a set of quick connects at the front.

 

[J_J]

The big difference between diverter valves and 3rd functions is that the 3rd function is full on flow , where as the diverter will allow one to feather the grapple.

If you have the money, then spend it on a complete 3rd function kit.

You can build this 3rd function kit . $160 plus hoses,fittings and switch.

12 VDC 10 GPM OC DA SOLENOID VALVE

1 STATION DO3 SUBPLATE OPEN CENTER

You can get a diverter valve for about $160. Then you need some hoses and fittings and switch.

12 VDC 13.2 GPM SAE 8 SOLENOID DOUBLE SELECTOR VALVE

If you want to save some money , round up the parts and build it yourself and learn about the unit, that is up to you..

 

[J_J]

You must have great self communication skills like me, I talk to myself all the time and convinced myself too that I don't want a diverter valve, and I'm talking to myself right now trying to figure out what is a WR Long 3rd function is, it took a few post for me to get PB.

A 3rd function valve is just another hyd valve added to the hyd system. When activated, it provides pump full flow.

Some grapples are too fast, and therefore some people choose the diverter valve, so one can feather.

 

[k0ua]

A 3rd function valve is just another hyd valve added to the hyd system. When activated, it provides pump full flow.

Some grapples are too fast, and therefore some people choose the diverter valve, so one can feather.

Also one reason I like my Rear remote valve setup for my grapple lid, I can feather it's closing speed. But the main reason I like the rear remote solution is because I am cheap! I have $150 bucks or there-abouts total in hoses and fittings and QD's. I made the torque tube mounting bracket myself out of old Kubota scrap metal. Of course I HAVE a rear remote valve. If you don't have one already on the tractor, then the other options start to look a lot better money wise.

 

[Oldpath05]

Ok,, well then you are going to want the true 3rd function then. You have talked yourself into it.. And it is a good way to go. I was trying to save you a few bucks if you wanted to source all the parts yourself. A DO3 subplate is the valve body that the electric over hydraulic solenoids fit on. The subplate (click here) is where the hydraulic fittings screw into, and the oil flows and is routed thru. The solenoids (click here) change the path of the oil when they are energized. A WR Long kit (you can get one here) is one brand of 3rd function kit. Similiar to the Construction Attachments 3rd function kit you posted the video on.

Yes, a True 3rd function, so does a False 3rd function imply the use of a diverter valve. Thanks for these high lighted links, outstanding trick. Your taken me down the road I want to go, but there does seam to be some high price tolls on this route, I don't know if I have that much ink in my printing press, starting to look like the thumb grapple is the cheapest part.

 

[Oldpath05]

A 3rd function valve is just another hyd valve added to the hyd system. When activated, it provides pump full flow.

Some grapples are too fast, and therefore some people choose the diverter valve, so one can feather.

You bring up a good selling point for a diverter valve, feathering the grapple at times is a nice feature to have for picking up logs.