/pine
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What is needed hydraulically for a grapple?
- Thread starter montelatici
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/pine
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2009
- Messages
- 12,450
You did a really nice job...if my machine was a newer model I might have done more to make it look more "OEMish"...but I didn't want it to look entirely amateurish either...figuring where and how to put the valves/QD's was harder than the actual fab work...
I used the PB port on the FEL and "Tee'd" the return at the FEL valve...
I can remove the FEL without disturbing anything other than a couple of plastic straps securing the hoses...I can easily remove the grapple bar and or the cylinder (independently) when I have FEL work and don't need the grapple...there are QD's up front for the grapple cyl....
I also added a PB adapter to the rear (3ph) and added one single and one double spool valve at the rear... I really like the 'Wolverine' series valves that Prince makes for low GPM systems...can't beat the price and the quality is valid IMO...
I just put my valve in line on the pressure line. Didn't have to use PB port or run another return. It uses the return on the FEL valve. I have a complete grapple that uses a skid steer attach. I upgraded the loader to the skid steer in order to change out faster and easier. All in all we saved money and got the job done. Looks goo too.
Attachments
radioman
Super Member
I have pondered the same thing. I bought a single spool valve and haven't gotten around to installing it for my BX24. sigh. I had a busy summer so haven't had time. I like the idea of a divertor using the FEL ports since it would stay on the tractor all the time due to design of BX24 and up. If I use the rear remotes, and need a hydraulic option in front, I would have to run steel lines inside of fender along the side of the rails to front.
radioman said:
I just ran my hoses along side the factory fel lines to the cross bar at the bucket and put QC on the ends to detach from the grapple lines. I used heavy duty zip ties to secure the lines to the factory ones.
dstig1
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2010
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- 4,967
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- W Wisc
- Tractor
- Kubota L5240 HSTC, JD X738 Mower, (Kubota L3130 HST - sold)
Looks good, and a lot like what I did. I used a heavy (3/8" thick) alum angle section for the quick connector mounting plate. I got what I could find for that and then cut to fit - mainly I just cut off a good chunk of one leg. I re-used the screw holes that hold the hydraulic line cover in place, but with longer screws.
Routed the hoses up along the lines, and secured with UV-rated zip ties. I used 90deg fittings at the bracket to avoid a sharp bend in the hoses. That worked well. At the valve i also used 90 deg fittings (different style) to send the hoses in the right direction. The hoses going to the dump/curl circuit attached to the inputs of the valve, and 2 short hoses splice into the old dump/curl hard lines, where the hoses had attached.
Bolted the valve to the loader arm with a couple alum plates and screws. Screwed the valve to a thicker plate so I had enough thickness to tap the plate and get a good thread depth (plus loctite).
PS:
It turns out to be a good thing I used such a heavy mounting bracket for the quick connects. First off it does not flex when I push like the dickens to make the connections (very hard to do - and yes I have been through all the ways to relieve pressure from the circuit...including several discussions in this forum) but at one point in my first day of using the grapple it popped off the SS QA mounts when I slammed it up high to dump some stuff that wouldn't fall off. It popped off from 10' in the air and was hanging by the hoses and that bracket! Needless to say I was not pleased. Been trying to work with the manufacturer to fix it but we have not found a good solution quite yet. Improved it a bit, but I can still make it come off in certain situations.
Routed the hoses up along the lines, and secured with UV-rated zip ties. I used 90deg fittings at the bracket to avoid a sharp bend in the hoses. That worked well. At the valve i also used 90 deg fittings (different style) to send the hoses in the right direction. The hoses going to the dump/curl circuit attached to the inputs of the valve, and 2 short hoses splice into the old dump/curl hard lines, where the hoses had attached.
Bolted the valve to the loader arm with a couple alum plates and screws. Screwed the valve to a thicker plate so I had enough thickness to tap the plate and get a good thread depth (plus loctite).
PS:
It turns out to be a good thing I used such a heavy mounting bracket for the quick connects. First off it does not flex when I push like the dickens to make the connections (very hard to do - and yes I have been through all the ways to relieve pressure from the circuit...including several discussions in this forum) but at one point in my first day of using the grapple it popped off the SS QA mounts when I slammed it up high to dump some stuff that wouldn't fall off. It popped off from 10' in the air and was hanging by the hoses and that bracket! Needless to say I was not pleased. Been trying to work with the manufacturer to fix it but we have not found a good solution quite yet. Improved it a bit, but I can still make it come off in certain situations.
