Using rear remotes for grapple - as simple as I think?

[k0ua]

You should read these threads. They document my journey down this road


https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...on-control-valve-lever.html?highlight=grapple

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...connects-loader-torque.html?highlight=grapple

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...d-grapple-bush-grabber.html?highlight=grapple

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Thanks for the great responses! My primary use for this grapple will be picking up loose brush and branches. The kind of stuff that pallet forks don't really hold very well without manually stacking. I have lots of acres of forest and clear cut land to clean up and I think a grapple will be very efficient. And by efficient I mean lots of fun.

Thanks for the links, James. I will try to replicate your extension, as I quite like it.

 

[caver]

I also run my grapple off the rear remotes.

 

[LouNY]

Lots of grapples run off of the rear remotes;

 

[k0ua]

Thanks for the great responses! My primary use for this grapple will be picking up loose brush and branches. The kind of stuff that pallet forks don't really hold very well without manually stacking. I have lots of acres of forest and clear cut land to clean up and I think a grapple will be very efficient. And by efficient I mean lots of fun.

Thanks for the links, James. I will try to replicate your extension, as I quite like it.

Yes, the extension has really worked out very well. It is all at your fingertips, and operates fast and effortlessly.

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

As already said. You can use rear remotes for the grapple. However it would get real annoying moving hand from loader lever to rear remote and back often. I would bite the bullet and add a 3rd function, especially since you have lots of work for the grapple.

 

[kthompson]

I have a tractor with 3rd function and grapple for about same use as you. It is more convenient than the setup you are considering. I used the setup you are asking on for three years with a hay bale grapple. At first it was awkward but soon became easy. I soon learned to know when I was not going to use the joy stick and would reach for the rear remote lever. But the third function is easier with the ability to operate all controls without removing your hand from the joy stick handle.

I ran the hoses from my rear remote over the rear axle tie strapping them every few inches to the fel loaders hoses or tubing. I ran a solid hose and the quick connects would be nice if you removed the fel, if not I would not add the extra cost. If you are new to grapples one thing I learned was to install quick connect fittings with male on one port and female on the other port. Made it easy to connect properly first time and I connect my fel grapple hoses to each other when disconnect to if the cylinder moves the pressure is not increased on one side of the cylinder. One other thing to consider on using a grapple as you are is be sure if the grapple is open in the rear to install a grill guard. If the grapple is solid or expanded metal on the rear your grill area is still exposed when loader is raised when driving into a pile.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes, it's as simple as you think.

It's not as efficient as 3rd function.

Means nothing unless you use it a lot.

Then it means a lot.

Whether it means enough to justify the cost is absolutely a personal decision.

For me it gave me no pause. Purchased 3rd function. 80% of my tractor hours are clocked using the 3rd function in some form.

 

[k0ua]

As already said. You can use rear remotes for the grapple. However it would get real annoying moving hand from loader lever to rear remote and back often. I would bite the bullet and add a 3rd function, especially since you have lots of work for the grapple.

Not if you have a DK series Kioti... See my lever extension thread. Easy natural movement and you hand never leaves the main joystick. Yeah if the rear remote lever was by your side or something like that, yep that would be a PITA.

 

[k0ua]

Lets put it this way, If someone GAVE me a 3rd function kit, I would not install it for it. I would sell the kit and keep my current setup. Yes, it is actually that convenient to use with the extended control lever I fashioned. It also has one other advantage in that I can easily "feather" the grapple pressure. Handy at times to pick up softer things I don't want to crush like a rotten limb for instance. I can also easily adjust the closing speed. AS my pump is pretty healthy and the cylinder of my grapple is pretty small, you can snap the grapple shut with a bang, or slow as you want. While I always considered my original installation a stop gap measure until I got up enough money for a 3rd function, now I would not trade it out at all. I am one happy ole curmudgeon.