True 3rd function or diverter valve for grapple?

ovrszd · Feb 9, 2016

rlgustafson said:
One thing I've seen on a couple of grapples, both 3rd function and diverter control, is really high hydraulic flow to grapple lids. Both could be corrected with some flow restriction which should result in a bit slower open / close speed and smoother operation

Mine is pretty fast. I like it that way. No hesitation when trying to Grapple a load. Excellent release time when I need to let go of an object quickly.

streamin · Feb 10, 2016

I just had to laugh, you guys are too funny. I saw that picture of that rock and thought I would just get off the seat and pick it up. But then I thought, that's no fun, so I get the skill and challenge thing going on here. I'm feeling left out of the whole grapple experience now...

TripleR · Feb 10, 2016

I thought I was bad flipping stuff out of the way with my pallet forks, but that was nothing compare to me and my grapple.:laughing:

jcummins · Feb 10, 2016

streamin said:
ovrszd and jcummins: so do you feel there is no need to feather anything, just full on or off? Maybe trying pick up something small and needing more accuracy?

Not for me. I guess if you was dealing with something fragile, but even with that, I much prefer the 3rd function.

k0ua · Feb 10, 2016

streamin said:
I just had to laugh, you guys are too funny. I saw that picture of that rock and thought I would just get off the seat and pick it up. But then I thought, that's no fun, so I get the skill and challenge thing going on here. I'm feeling left out of the whole grapple experience now...

I have picked up smaller rocks with the grapple than that one...

oosik · Feb 10, 2016

When I had my grapple installed, I went the true third function way. I only have a single set of hydraulics out back. Going with a diverter and then having the dealership instal a second set of hydraulics out back was going to be expensive also.

The first thing I noticed was that there was no "feathering" with the third function (open/close lid). It takes a little while to develop "the touch" but after a time you learn how to not crush everything. Man - did I ever put a hurting on my old burn barrel the first time I took it to my landfill to empty it.

I move rocks -about half the size of a office desk. I just close the lid and lift. If the rock moves - I clamp a tiny bit tighter. I also move large sections of pine. That's easier than rocks because you can see/hear the bark "crunch" as the jaws close on it.

I have never used the grapple on brush. I really don't have that much - just open grass land, rocks & Ponderosa pines.

ovrszd · Feb 10, 2016

A Grapple changes an operator's perspective about tidying up things.

On the one hand you are much more apt to move an ill placed brush pile for example. Or dig up an exposed rock. Or clean up fallen limbs/trees. So the property instantly appears more maintained.

On the other hand you get messier because what's considered acceptable "litter" on the ground grows. Before the Grapple if you did take the time to move that ill placed brush pile by hand you would clean up the smallest limbs and twigs. Most likely down to using a yard broom and shovel. After the Grapple all the loose/small stuff that falls thru the Grapple is left in place and accepted as normal. You have moved on to the next "Grapple" project.

To get back on subject. An FEL tractor without some form of 3rd function on the front and/or multiple rear hydraulic remotes is very limited on what it can do. For a CUT or larger tractor having or not having these features are a deal breaker to me. I even have 2 rear remotes on my non FEL utility tractor and would like to have a 3rd.

Northcountryboy · Feb 11, 2016

I started off with a diverter valve and decided I would much prefer the true third function. The main reason for my change of heart was the decision to have a hydraulic post hole auger. I all ready had a 3 point auger, which works when the conditions are good. Now I can use down pressure and the curl/dump function while spinning the auger in either direction. Just my 2 cents. It works for me in my situation. Either way enjoy your grapple.

streamin · Feb 12, 2016

Northcountryboy said:
I started off with a diverter valve and decided I would much prefer the true third function. The main reason for my change of heart was the decision to have a hydraulic post hole auger. I all ready had a 3 point auger, which works when the conditions are good. Now I can use down pressure and the curl/dump function while spinning the auger in either direction. Just my 2 cents. It works for me in my situation. Either way enjoy your grapple.

That brings up a good point. I don't like my rear auger because it is a pain to hook up and there was a time or two that I needed a bit of down pressure like you say. I may have to consider that now.

Xfaxman · Feb 12, 2016

ovrszd said:
A Grapple changes an operator's perspective about tidying up things.

On the one hand you are much more apt to move an ill placed brush pile for example. Or dig up an exposed rock. Or clean up fallen limbs/trees. So the property instantly appears more maintained.

On the other hand you get messier because what's considered acceptable "litter" on the ground grows. Before the Grapple if you did take the time to move that ill placed brush pile by hand you would clean up the smallest limbs and twigs. Most likely down to using a yard broom and shovel. After the Grapple all the loose/small stuff that falls thru the Grapple is left in place and accepted as normal. You have moved on to the next "Grapple" project.
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Yep, and for me the next grapple project is using the small single lid grapple to pick up all the small stuff that fell through the dual lid grapple.