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

[Rowdy Redneck]

Hey everybody, it's grapple time! Finally. I'm looking at an MTL 48" single lid grapple. It seems like it should do everything I need, at a decent price. I don't have a third function set up, but I know I can run off the rear remotes, and that is what I will do for now. MTL also sells a set of hydraulic lines for this purpose.

So I am curious about a couple of things:
1) Is it as simple as just hooking the hoses to the rear remotes and then the grapple, and then being all set?
2) Do I need to add any additional hydraulic fluid?
3) Do I need to remove the detents, if there are any?

Appreciate any thoughts on this. As is probably obvious, I am no expert.

 

[homesteader13]

That is exactly how I set mine up except when I made my hoses I added quick disconnects in front of the cab for ease of removing the loader and ran the lines inside the loader arm. And then I mounted the quick disconnects on the loader cross tube so they would not flop around.
It works great and I am able to open and close the grapple lids with my elbow while controlling the loader joystick at the same time

 

[K5lwq]

The only word of caution I would give for running off of your rear remotes is be mindful of hose routing. This is what my brother did on his JD but he called me yesterday asking how to get his grapple lines disconnected because he has bent the coupler in his loader arm.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

Wow that is a really nice setup, thanks for sharing! I have never removed my loader but would probably need to as soon as I get the grapple all set up...lol. The one thing I am a little worried about is operation, but it seems like most people are able to make do with their elbow, like you, or by extending the rear remote stick in some manner. Thanks again!

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

The only word of caution I would give for running off of your rear remotes is be mindful of hose routing. This is what my brother did on his JD but he called me yesterday asking how to get his grapple lines disconnected because he has bent the coupler in his loader arm.

Thanks for your response! Yikes, will need to be extra careful with routing because I am in the woods most of the time. Has your brother been happy with his setup over all?

 

[Stump 3910]

I run my 72" Favor skid steer grapple using one pair of the rear remotes on my New Holland Workmaster 60. Works great. I ran it off the remotes on the Mahindra 4530 I just sold too. Absolutely, it is a good, cost effective way to use a grapple. But as others have said, be careful of hose routing.

 

[K5lwq]

Yes he has been happy but he did ask me to add a third function for him one day. Lol He most likely will not want to spend the money.

 

[Stump 3910]

After a using the remote controls a few times, it becomes second nature to use it. Save the money for third function and use it to buy the best grapple you can afford.
In my opinion, those bargain grapples ain't no count, and will not hold up.

 

[sd455dan]

Hey everybody, it's grapple time! Finally. I'm looking at an MTL 48" single lid grapple. It seems like it should do everything I need, at a decent price. I don't have a third function set up, but I know I can run off the rear remotes, and that is what I will do for now. MTL also sells a set of hydraulic lines for this purpose.

So I am curious about a couple of things:
1) Is it as simple as just hooking the hoses to the rear remotes and then the grapple, and then being all set?
2) Do I need to add any additional hydraulic fluid?
3) Do I need to remove the detents, if there are any?

Appreciate any thoughts on this. As is probably obvious, I am no expert.

on #3 Leave the detent...
it is an advantage when disconnecting the grapple.
If any pressure is still in the loop, you can click it to the detent and that will relieve the pressure and make disconnecting the quick connects easy

 

[Stump 3910]

And unless you spring a leak, no extra fluid should be needed unless you have really long and large ID hoses, then you might need to top off your hydraulic fluid level.