True 3rd function or diverter valve for grapple?

[kennyd]

ORRRRRR

Exactly, thanks.
Hey, you reminded me...I have something to talk to you about soon, I'll call one day.

 

[countrybumpkin]

so with the diverter, I'm waiting a second for it to switch and then I use the curl on the stick. With 3rd function I have 2 buttons, open and close in real time, correct?

A diverter is going to switch circuits instantly when you press the single button on the stick, only hesitation would be the time it takes you to move the loader stick which ever way you needed for the grapple to open or close. If you were already curling or uncurling and hit the button the grapple would respond instantly.

3rd function has the 2 buttons , one for open, and second for closed. With it you don't have to move the joystick at all to operate the grapple. So you can lift the loader, curl, and open or close the grapple all at the same time, basically your dividing the fluid flow between all three functions so it's going to slow down a bit the less GPM your tractor pumps. One thing with a 3rd function is , it's either on or off, no way to feather it, as with the diverter, it can be feather just like when curling or dumping the bucket.

Either set up will serve you well , just have to decide which YOU would prefer. Once you get use to using either you should be happy.

One other way and a lot cheaper, is to run hoses off a rear remote, only disadvantage is that you have two levers to operate the loader and grapple.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

A diverter is going to switch circuits instantly when you press the single button on the stick, only hesitation would be the time it takes you to move the loader stick which ever way you needed for the grapple to open or close. If you were already curling or uncurling and hit the button the grapple would respond instantly.

3rd function has the 2 buttons , one for open, and second for closed. With it you don't have to move the joystick at all to operate the grapple. So you can lift the loader, curl, and open or close the grapple all at the same time, basically your dividing the fluid flow between all three functions so it's going to slow down a bit the less GPM your tractor pumps. One thing with a 3rd function is , it's either on or off, no way to feather it, as with the diverter, it can be feather just like when curling or dumping the bucket.

Either set up will serve you well , just have to decide which YOU would prefer. Once you get use to using either you should be happy.

One other way and a lot cheaper, is to run hoses off a rear remote, only disadvantage is that you have two levers to operate the loader and grapple.

VERY WELL SAID. :thumbsup:

 

[Rustyiron]

So your saying you can't have a nice switch AND use a diverter? Or am a mis-reading your comment?

No, I am suprised! Nice job. I pictured a funky switch on the dash somewhere or a manual valve up on the loader frame or something. I could see using your set up or what K0ua did or Mtn Views "new handle" set up for sure!

 

[streamin]

A diverter is going to switch circuits instantly when you press the single button on the stick, only hesitation would be the time it takes you to move the loader stick which ever way you needed for the grapple to open or close. If you were already curling or uncurling and hit the button the grapple would respond instantly.

3rd function has the 2 buttons , one for open, and second for closed. With it you don't have to move the joystick at all to operate the grapple. So you can lift the loader, curl, and open or close the grapple all at the same time, basically your dividing the fluid flow between all three functions so it's going to slow down a bit the less GPM your tractor pumps. One thing with a 3rd function is , it's either on or off, no way to feather it, as with the diverter, it can be feather just like when curling or dumping the bucket.

Either set up will serve you well , just have to decide which YOU would prefer. Once you get use to using either you should be happy.

One other way and a lot cheaper, is to run hoses off a rear remote, only disadvantage is that you have two levers to operate the loader and grapple.

That is the clearest explanation yet, thanks for that! I didn't realize you only had on/off with 3rd function, I can see the ability to use "feather" an advantage. I think that is what I will do, thanks to everyone who commented! One more question: is the button a press and hold or is it press /release and it stays with the chosen circuit?

 

[kennyd]

One more question: is the button a press and hold or is it press /release and it stays with the chosen circuit?

Diverters are generally operated with a momentary switch, so the "new" circuit is only active when the switch is held in.

 

[ovrszd]

so with the diverter, I'm waiting a second for it to switch and then I use the curl on the stick. With 3rd function I have 2 buttons, open and close in real time, correct?

Yes. Budweiser John described the hesitation of the diverter very well.

Here's his statement concerning loading the Grapple using a Diverter: What I learned very quickly is some hand coordination is required and when hitting the diverter switch it's necessary to pause a second or two for the hydraulic pressure to build in the grapple cylinder thus clamping the load securely. In the case of compressible material such as brush it's sometime necessary to depress the diverter switch more than once after the initial load is picked up to insure a tight grasp.

With true 3rd function you can lift the boom, curl the Grapple and clamp the jaws all at the same time. No confusion, hesititation or additional coordination required. I can approach a pile of brush with the Grapple open and rolled forward. Set it down on the brush pile. Push the "close" button with my thumb and hold it causing the Grapple to apply closure pressure. Then curl the Grapple back while also raising the boom. The Grapple will automatically close tighter on the brush as things move. In one swoop I can pick up that brush pile leaving only the very small stuff behind.

For users that say having all 3 functions at once isn't important I'd suspect they've never had that feature.

I'll try to shoot some video when it warms up.

As for cost. That's a personal issue for every buyer and I'm certainly not going to tell you what's affordable or cost effective. That's for you to figure out. I've moved thousands of loads with my Grapple. The initial investment gets cheaper per use every time I crank the tractor.

 

[paulwestski]

Here's my thread on my true third function on a Kubota L4240
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...83-l4240-3rd-function-install.html?highlight=

Depends on which method you prefer diverter or true third function and how much you're willing to invest.

 

[ovrszd]

Here's my thread on my true third function on a Kubota L4240
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...83-l4240-3rd-function-install.html?highlight=

Depends on which method you prefer diverter or true third function and how much you're willing to invest.

Very nice work. And a great price. I bought a Kubota kit and installed it myself. On my tractor, not sure how you could get a cleaner install building it yourself. But I've probably got more physical space than you do. Don't quote me, but I think I paid somewhere around $1100 for mine. Would have to dig to find out for sure.

 

[jcummins]

Yes. Budweiser John described the hesitation of the diverter very well.

Here's his statement concerning loading the Grapple using a Diverter: What I learned very quickly is some hand coordination is required and when hitting the diverter switch it's necessary to pause a second or two for the hydraulic pressure to build in the grapple cylinder thus clamping the load securely. In the case of compressible material such as brush it's sometime necessary to depress the diverter switch more than once after the initial load is picked up to insure a tight grasp.

With true 3rd function you can lift the boom, curl the Grapple and clamp the jaws all at the same time. No confusion, hesititation or additional coordination required. I can approach a pile of brush with the Grapple open and rolled forward. Set it down on the brush pile. Push the "close" button with my thumb and hold it causing the Grapple to apply closure pressure. Then curl the Grapple back while also raising the boom. The Grapple will automatically close tighter on the brush as things move. In one swoop I can pick up that brush pile leaving only the very small stuff behind.

For users that say having all 3 functions at once isn't important I'd suspect they've never had that feature.

I'll try to shoot some video when it warms up.

As for cost. That's a personal issue for every buyer and I'm certainly not going to tell you what's affordable or cost effective. That's for you to figure out. I've moved thousands of loads with my Grapple. The initial investment gets cheaper per use every time I crank the tractor.

Had diverter, now 3rd function....and ovrszd explains it real well. 3rd function is better, and for me was similar in cost.

I used a ATV winch toggle switch tied to the loader handle, it actually works quite well and waterproof. Think it was $15.