"The Thumb" Bucket Grapple questions

[k0ua]

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.

yep, it is all up to you.. A diverter is a cheap way to go. And since you do not have any rear remotes yet, adding a diverter would be your cheapest route. Surplus center just added a cheap diverter, Maybe you want to look (click here) at one of them.

Again I am not trying to talk you out of the 3rd function valve kit, because it is a good convenient way to go, all I am saying is if the bucks are a little scarce, there are other ways to go and save some money. Might not be just what you want, but it is pretty cheap. But you can also self source the 3rd function yourself, Just put together the parts yourself.

Whats that you say? you don't know how?. Well you can start by doing some studying and asking a lot of questions. Another way is to start searching TBN for other guys that have done it. Of course you have got to have some mechanical/electrical/planning ability. Then you have to have some construction skills, and lastly you have to have the confidence in yourself that you can plan this out and implement it and not give up.

All you are paying for with the $800 kits is about $300 of parts and the rest is them doing all of that planning, measuring, and fitting and thinking to make a "turnkey" kit that with a good set of instructions just about everyone can make work. Along the way they are feeding their families too.

It is all up to you.

 

[Oldpath05]

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.

Way back 4 or 5 days ago, George mention this Rear remote valve setup, is that another way to have a 3rd function or is it a 2-1/2 function, and is there a separate lever or button for it, and how do I know if my L3400 DT has a Rear remote setup, I'll take a look at the front of my tractor tomorrow see if I can find it.

 

[J_J]

The so called true 3rd function valve is a solenoid controlled valve with on/off flow control at full pump flow.

The diverter valve is a solenoid controlled valve that switches between two circuits and the actual operation of the cyl is by the joystick valve allowing you the ability to feather.

The cost from surplus is about the same.

No one seems to know why the terminology doesn't change with using several of these valves.

Why is there not a 4 th function or a 5 th function valve.

Should three of the solenoid valves connected together be called a trio function or a 3 stage gang banger.

Some people think the grapple valve is the 3rd function, or the 4-N-1. I supposed it could be.

 

[k0ua]

Way back 4 or 5 days ago, George mention this Rear remote valve setup, is that another way to have a 3rd function or is it a 2-1/2 function, and is there a separate lever or button for it, and how do I know if my L3400 DT has a Rear remote setup, I'll take a look at the front of my tractor tomorrow see if I can find it.

No point at looking at the front of your tractor, you can look at the rear of your tractor and see if you have any Quick Couplers on the rear.. Now I will tell you that a Kubota L3400DT does not have any as standard equipment. However it can have some as an option. But if you don't have a control valve lever by your side and at least 2 quick couplers on the rear of your tractor then you don't have any.

A Kioti DK35se like mine comes standard with one set of quick couplers on the rear and a control valve up front near the loader joystick.

 

[k0ua]

Should three of the solenoid valves connected together be called a trio function or a 3 stage gang banger.

I like it.:laughing:

 

[Oldpath05]

yep, it is all up to you.. A diverter is a cheap way to go. And since you do not have any rear remotes yet, adding a diverter would be your cheapest route. Surplus center just added a cheap diverter, Maybe you want to look (click here) at one of them.

Again I am not trying to talk you out of the 3rd function valve kit, because it is a good convenient way to go, all I am saying is if the bucks are a little scarce, there are other ways to go and save some money. Might not be just what you want, but it is pretty cheap. But you can also self source the 3rd function yourself, Just put together the parts yourself.

Whats that you say? you don't know how?. Well you can start by doing some studying and asking a lot of questions. Another way is to start searching TBN for other guys that have done it. Of course you have got to have some mechanical/electrical/planning ability. Then you have to have some construction skills, and lastly you have to have the confidence in yourself that you can plan this out and implement it and not give up.

All you are paying for with the $800 kits is about $300 of parts and the rest is them doing all of that planning, measuring, and fitting and thinking to make a "turnkey" kit that with a good set of instructions just about everyone can make work. Along the way they are feeding their families too.

It is all up to you.

"Whats that you say? you don't know how", you took the words right out of my mouth, good thing I'm researching this grapple thumb now, this is going to take me a while, because I suffer from that H.I.S. problem.
No Rear Remote hookup on my L3400, cross that off the list. Ever since J_J mention that ability to feather the thumb with the Diverter valve, then you find a $160.00 price on that from Surplus Center, and then you say the 3rd. function Kit is $800.00+. just $300.00 in parts, Hum, I've welded for a pay check for 30 years now and never came close to that kind of profit to feed my family, that prove's one thing being a weldah is not a high paying job.

This is the only thread I found on a thumb grapple for a tractor bucket, everyone else has full size grapple on the FEL, not doing that, (mechanical, I cant even find the spark plugs on my tractor),(electrical, I hooked up a cigarette outlet on my tractor so I can charge my cell phone), (planning ability, I look stuff up on YouTube, and TBN, and then look in my wallet, then I make a plan), ( constructions skills, have some, I built a house with lot of mistakes, built a garage with lot of mistakes, probably because when I measure and cut a 2x4, three times, it's still TO SHORT, but that's how I learn to speak in tongues.

 

[Oldpath05]

With several lengths of thumbs available, what would be a good length to get to fit my bucket, I measured 2' from the top down to the cutting edge, so that must mean I should get a 2' thumb, I thought so.

 

[nybirdman]

My bucket on my L4240 was the HD roundback version.I went with the 28"Thumb.I can't get to the bucket right now to measure it(3ft.of snow).
You want the Thumb to close on the bottom edge of the bucket.I had to add a piece of angle and roll it to be able to close completely.I also added a tooth-bar.This combo works very well.
I welded the nuts to the bottom of the angle so the Thumb can be removed easily.

 

[ENC]

I have the 3rd function and have not noticed an inability to feather the grapple function. I have heard this before but don't understand it. I don't know if my grapple has flow restrictors or if my pump is so slow as to not cause problems. But I can pick up a sheet of tin and not dent it but the hold the button down and put the grapple teeth right through it.

 

[Oldpath05]

My bucket on my L4240 was the HD roundback version.I went with the 28"Thumb.I can't get to the bucket right now to measure it(3ft.of snow).
You want the Thumb to close on the bottom edge of the bucket.I had to add a piece of angle and roll it to be able to close completely.I also added a tooth-bar.This combo works very well.
I welded the nuts to the bottom of the angle so the Thumb can be removed easily.

I have 3ft.&1in. of snow on the ground, makes me the winner, I cant even go in the woods with my tractor and I have chains on. You must have your snowplow on instead of your bucket, I'm quite sure your bucket is a lot bigger then my L3400. Good idea adding nut so it can removed, that's how I have all my tractor add-on's.