Grapple WR Long 3rd Function kit - installation

[Andrewnewy]

While I haven't used a grapple, ( not something we see in this country) I have connected and disconnected hundreds of qd's and implements over my time,
If when you disconnect it comes easily then it should be pressure free, you should actually be able to press on the ball/nipple of the Qd by hand if not there is pressure in the system. Hot having seen a grapple it's hard to diagnose, but the only thing I can think of is once the grapple is off gravity puts pressure on the ram which builds up pressure on one side of the circuit, it wouldn't be much unless you had a leak in the system but could be enough to make it hard to re connect.
one thought might be the grapple might need a storage chain/stay to hold it closed so when it comes off it dosn't place any pressure on the ram. The only other thought I had was if your qd's are rusty, I have seen this to many times to count, particularity the ball bearings around the outside, these are in a none lubricated section of the female connector, as such can get dirt and water in them when not in use. You should be able to push each ball in easily with your finger, if not that might be causing the problem? If they are tight some WD40 works a treat. Also is it all implements your having issues with or just the grapple?

 

[xtn]

Is it likely that - even if you relieve pressure prior to disconnecting - a set of hoses and a cylinder such as on a grapple or any other implement may develop enough pressure just sitting in the sun that it would be hard to reconnect?

xtn

 

[Andrewnewy]

Theoretically that would be possible, for example if you disconnected when the oil/temperature was cool / cold then you went to re-connect when it had been sitting in the sun all day, the oil could have expanded which would create some pressure increase. However I don't think with would be that mach to mack it 'Hard', it might be a little stiffer than when you disconnected.
What I've always found to work, before you connect a QD, push the ball down with your finger, if it is pressure free this will push down easily. If either side is under pressure you won't be able to push on it by hand, this is what makes it hard to connect, To Relieve this pressure I push the ball down on something hard, like the frame on the loader, this will Squirt the oil out and relive the pressure, Be warned that Oil will squirt in all directions, so don't do it wearing your sunday best, but it will relieve the pressure so you can plug it in easily.

 

[93Mustang]

I just reattached my grapple and have now had success three times leaving the grapple open with the "claw" up. No problem at all. This used to be my most dreaded task but that approach seems to be working for me.

- Dana

 

[dstig1]

I'll have to try that. This time I left it open, and then bled down the pressure with the tractor off to see if that helped (I usually leave it closed and bleed pressure from there). I got one connector together by hand but the other one required my typical bar clamp trick to pull together.