Grapple Titan Grapple - It's killing me

[clee4020]

Here is a picture of the other end of the hard lines. As you can see, the ones with the red plugs don't have anything connected. That's why I'm asking for advice. I take you point about single hoses running from the hard line directly to the rear remotes. I don't remove the loader all that often so I'll take you're advice and do it that way. I'll just make sure it's clamped in a way that's easy to remove when I need to remove the loader.

Next question: Do I need to bleed the air out of the lines and cylinder after I get everything connected?

Thanks again

I don't remove my loader very often either, but it sure is nice have mid-mount quick connects when I do. I got my quick connects from TSC (~$25 for a set needed 2 sets=$50) and part store charged $5 to cut and add ends. So your talking around $70.00 and you don't have to re-run yours hoses.

 

[Glen Watkins]

Steel lines kit for the loader with the mid disconnects run back to the 3rd function kit on the rear. Done right factory kits and looks factory. The only way to fly!

 

[IslandTractor]

Steel lines kit for the loader with the mid disconnects run back to the 3rd function kit on the rear. Done right factory kits and looks factory. The only way to fly!

Or, save the $70+ bucks plus cost of hard lines and just run a single pair of lines secured with zip ties from back to front. Removal takes two minutes longer than with split system and reinstallation takes ten minutes and new zip ties.

Works just as well. Might look more country but who are we trying to impress?

 

[Glen Watkins]

ya that works too but I guess the best setup is the electric switch on the joystick. They all work!

 

[catdozer]

This is my hard line kit I did, only cost was about $150 since I had steel lines already, if you want more pics I can get some I would keep the flat face cause all skidsteer attachments are flat, I use all attachments though out all of the skidsteers and my tractor, I borrow a lot of attachments from my dad

 

[IslandTractor]

That's the first albino grapple I've seen. Rare!

 

[catdozer]

Got some more photos of the aux front lines, yes the grapple is homemade to clean and finish land clearing jobs and prep for seeding, I use it alot with the tractor for new snowmobile trails, got a plow for it I'll get pictures of that tomorrow, and it's nice to have all the coupling the same.

 

[BMW]

I ordered the adapters and hose assemblies from DiscountHydraulicHose.com and finally got the hydraulics hooked up. After cycling it a few times supposedly to work the air of the lines (really I was just playing), I noticed that both of the hoses were dripping at the crimp on the straight fitting. After playing a little more, keeping an eye on those fittings, I heard a pop at the rear remotes that I though was quick connect coming loose. Nope, the 90 degree fitting blew right off the hose! Now I have to unclamp, disconnect and ship them back to DHH so they can "test" them and make new ones if "necessary".

It's still killing me

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

Perhaps that's why it was "discount". Sorry for your problem. I got mine locally and so far, working out fine.

 

[IslandTractor]

I ordered the adapters and hose assemblies from DiscountHydraulicHose.com and finally got the hydraulics hooked up. After cycling it a few times supposedly to work the air of the lines (really I was just playing), I noticed that both of the hoses were dripping at the crimp on the straight fitting. After playing a little more, keeping an eye on those fittings, I heard a pop at the rear remotes that I though was quick connect coming loose. Nope, the 90 degree fitting blew right off the hose! Now I have to unclamp, disconnect and ship them back to DHH so they can "test" them and make new ones if "necessary".

It's still killing me

Sounds like a poorly trained employee made your hoses. No excuse. The connection systems used today by hydraulic shops really should be virtually leakproof if a competent individual uses the correct components and press. Sorry for your frustration. I can imagine how you feel.

 

[BMW]

Perhaps that's why it was "discount". Sorry for your problem. I got mine locally and so far, working out fine.

Hydraulic Hose Guy from Discount Hydraulic Hose is a member here and from his posts I figured I'd be safe. And Rick from the sales staff was nothing but helpful with my order; calling when there was a slight question with my online order. They gave every indication that they will make it right.

Sounds like a poorly trained employee made your hoses. No excuse. The connection systems used today by hydraulic shops really should be virtually leakproof if a competent individual uses the correct components and press.

I agree IT. I ordered R16 hose instead of the more commonly used R2 because it has a smaller minimum bend radius. The R16 OD is 0.08" smaller. I'm guessing that the crimping die was adjusted incorrectly. I got two other R16 assemblies that I haven't installed. I think I'll send them back for testing as well.

 

[BMW]

I finally got replacement hoses and got everything hooked up and the leaks fixed. Here are two picture of the first test run.

 

[BMW]

For anyone researching the Titan grapple, the pictures on their website aren't totally accurate. They have added a third tine on the top grapple (see picture in the first post). It is centered to protect the cylinder instead of a horizontal plate. The site also states that the end plates are 1/2" when they are 3/8" like the rest of the tines. I don't see that being a problem on a CUT.

 

[lilranch2001]

For anyone researching the Titan grapple, the pictures on their website aren't totally accurate. They have added a third tine on the top grapple (see picture in the first post). It is centered to protect the cylinder instead of a horizontal plate. The site also states that the end plates are 1/2" when they are 3/8" like the rest of the tines. I don't see that being a problem on a CUT.

it may not be a problem for a CUT but it sure is false advertizing

 

[IslandTractor]

it may not be a problem for a CUT but it sure is false advertizing

More like lack of attention to detail and reflecting the lack of a well regimented production facility. I think a lot of these small grapple manufacturers operate out of garages or just barely larger production sites. Sloppy rather than intentionally false advertising would be my guess.

Most grapples of this size have all 3/8 inch tines so it really is fine. I know people sometimes specify the outside tines as 1/2 inch with the notion that thicker will be better but I don't recall anyone who has bent 3/8 tines with a CUT. My 3/8" grapple is on it's sixth year and the bottom tines are all pretty much just like new minus paint. That includes four years on a DK40se with 2700 lb capacity loader. I certainly wouldn't worry about the 3/8.

 

[Builder]

I ordered the adapters and hose assemblies from DiscountHydraulicHose.com and finally got the hydraulics hooked up. After cycling it a few times supposedly to work the air of the lines (really I was just playing), I noticed that both of the hoses were dripping at the crimp on the straight fitting. After playing a little more, keeping an eye on those fittings, I heard a pop at the rear remotes that I though was quick connect coming loose. Nope, the 90 degree fitting blew right off the hose! Now I have to unclamp, disconnect and ship them back to DHH so they can "test" them and make new ones if "necessary".

It's still killing me

I'm telling you, my Titan grapple was JUNK. I started a thread about mine and was all jacked up when I bought it and ended up selling it.
I bought one a little over a year ago and had the same problem. The hoses and fittings were CRAP and leaked every time when the were connected. I could never get the grapple to lock into the Q/A on my loader correctly even after a lot of time with my mini-grinder. After hard use, sometimes it would FALL OFF and pull the hoses apart.

The only good thing about it was it was built strong and it was cheap.

I ended up selling mine to a guy who didn't care that the mount & hoses were junk because he was making a different mount.

 

[BMW]

I'm telling you, my Titan grapple was JUNK. I started a thread about mine and was all jacked up when I bought it and ended up selling it.
I bought one a little over a year ago and had the same problem. The hoses and fittings were CRAP and leaked every time when the were connected. I could never get the grapple to lock into the Q/A on my loader correctly even after a lot of time with my mini-grinder. After hard use, sometimes it would FALL OFF and pull the hoses apart.

The only good thing about it was it was built strong and it was cheap.

I ended up selling mine to a guy who didn't care that the mount & hoses were junk because he was making a different mount.

I'm sorry to read about your problems. Either they have cleaned up their act or I lucked out. The hoses on the grapple have been flawless. The mount fits with no gap on the pins, though there isn't much compression on the springs. That said, I only have few hours on it so I'll keep an eye on it.

 

[farmall 55a case]

How has your grapple be doing? Are you still happy with it?

 

[Builder]

I'm sorry to read about your problems. Either they have cleaned up their act or I lucked out. The hoses on the grapple have been flawless. The mount fits with no gap on the pins, though there isn't much compression on the springs. That said, I only have few hours on it so I'll keep an eye on it.

Another thing I disliked is mine was built with fittings that had "british pipe thread" fittings. After the fittings leaked all over my loader, customer's driveways, etc., I knew I had to replace them. Of course BP threaded fittings aren't very popular, so I had to order some quality built fittings while my grapple sat unuseable. After falling off the loader 4 or 5 times, the hoses were ruined, so they had to be replaced.
I didn't mind the fittings leaking a little, but the fact that it wouldn't fit my QA loader was very frustrating and very unsafe. I have 4 other FEL attachments for the same tractor and they fit perfectly.
Luckily I was able to get most of my money back when I sold it.

 

[candyman]

about titan...

i bought from them a set of pallet forks for my kubota with ssqa front end the forks kept falling off the rails that hold the forks on the brackets were welder to far apart and the forks were falling off.

called them several times & asked if you would send 4 fork brackets i can fix it.

nothing..........

they lost a customer, so i went to wildkat & bought my grapple.

glad i did..