[rick causey]

I have added a grapple to my 3038e JD tractor with a 305 fel. I don't have the rear valve option and need to hook the cylinder into my hydraulics. I checked with JD and they wanted over $700 for the rear valve kit plus the cost of installation. Any ideas on this would be greatly appreciated. There should be a simpler cheaper way to do this. THANKS

 

[Kennyd]

Welcome to DT!

You have a couple choices, but unfortunately I don't think your dealer is to far off on his estimate. Take a look at these threads, and then hit me up with more questions...

http://www.greentractortalk.com/forums/showthread.php?2613-Third-Function&highlight=diverter

http://www.greentractortalk.com/for...dditional-SCV-s-to-JD-4720&highlight=diverter

http://www.greentractortalk.com/for...Hyd-Control-Valve-for-2520&highlight=diverter

A search of the terms "Diverter" and "grapple" will turn up some more threads.

 

[jfoi]

I personally think for the price of $700 that isnt that bad. It is going to be the nicest looking, and most uniform. Also everything you need will be done without any worry of having to find parts if dealer installed.

 

[rick causey]

KEN- This is what I tried yesterday

I hooked the grapple cylinder in parallel with the dump cylinder so it would open when I dumped the bucket and close when the bucket was raised. I did this by placing a " T " at each end of the dump cylinder and connecting them to the grapple cylinder. The only problem with this was it did not operate my grapple cylinder. The bucket worked fine, but the grapple did not move. This blew my mind , it acted as if the dump cylinder had pressure on both sides when in the dump cycle. Any idea why this did not work? Do you think I could have a problem in my control valve?

 

[Kennyd]

I hooked the grapple cylinder in parallel with the dump cylinder so it would open when I dumped the bucket and close when the bucket was raised. I did this by placing a " T " at each end of the dump cylinder and connecting them to the grapple cylinder. The only problem with this was it did not operate my grapple cylinder. The bucket worked fine, but the grapple did not move. This blew my mind , it acted as if the dump cylinder had pressure on both sides when in the dump cycle. Any idea why this did not work? Do you think I could have a problem in my control valve?

Sorry Rick, it's just not going to be that easy. In general, you cannot "Tee" high pressure hydraulic lines because the fluid will "take the path of least resistance". Now, I know that you already have your two dump/curl cylinders in parallel, but they are the same size. Trying to operated a grapple this way will not be very useful, you need independent control of the grapple to be effective.

What you noticed with this:

it acted as if the dump cylinder had pressure on both sides when in the dump cycle

Is called "regen" or the "regenerative" function on the FEL valve. Read here for more info: http://www.greentractortalk.com/for...ive-quot-function-of-a-FEL-Valve-Read-it-here...

So indeed there is pressure on both sides, but that can be overcome by not moving the joystick so far to the right.

 

[rick causey]

Thanks for all your help Ken. I ordered a TM for the 3038e today, when I get it maybe I can find a solution to this problem. I maybe just a little hardheaded, but I still think $700 plus instillation cost is just a little high. When I get it, I'll run any ideas I come up with by you before trying them if that"s OK with you.

 

[Kennyd]

Rick, you do not have a problem, I am sorry you think that you do...there is nothing about hydraulics expect hydraulic or O-rings and my advice that is cheap.

In the first thread I linked above, I covered pretty well the options. You can probably put a diverter setup together yourself for +/- $500 or so if you want to do all the work and source all the parts separately.


What your dealer is suggesting (I assume anyway) is the 2-spool valve option, LVB25743:

And is really a fair price when you consider all that's included. Just poke around at the Surplus Center website and look at some of the prices for hydraulic components.

 

[rick causey]

I agree with you Ken. For what they do to instal rear valves and all the parts its a very fair price, its just more than I want to do. THANKS