Grapple not working

[Moosebiker]

Hi all

Not sure how but my pto now works fine after I ran it with no shaft and bearing for a minute put all together 4 gallon of oil ran my bush hog no problems.

Now my grapple won't work correctly it's got to be in the valve or the add on electric switch switch on the joystick.

No matter what hose you put in what position the grapple only opens won't close. Tried on another cylinder did the same thing only one position open no close. I hear the silonoid click when I hit the button but no matter if I hold the button and move joystick left or right only one way.
It just happened no warning it wasn't sluggish or choppy it just stopped. Fuse is good all connections are good
Thanks

 

[top gnome]

Wow I have a similar problem with my grapple and just posted while you were posting.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Hi all

Not sure how but my pto now works fine after I ran it with no shaft and bearing for a minute put all together 4 gallon of oil ran my bush hog no problems.

Now my grapple won't work correctly it's got to be in the valve or the add on electric switch switch on the joystick.

No matter what hose you put in what position the grapple only opens won't close. Tried on another cylinder did the same thing only one position open no close. I hear the silonoid click when I hit the button but no matter if I hold the button and move joystick left or right only one way.
It just happened no warning it wasn't sluggish or choppy it just stopped. Fuse is good all connections are good
Thanks

What model tractor is this?

Dan

 

[Geezer3d]

I would expect the if you hear the solenoids click, one solenoid for each button on the control, then it is not electrical unless the wiring at the controls is very screwed up and the same solenoid is clicking regardless of which button you push. Did you have the third function controls apart and do anything with that wiring?

Since you mention four gallons of oil, is that the hydraulic oil that would be used to operate the grapple? If so then you may have air in that system that needs to be purged.

 

[Moosebiker]

I would expect the if you hear the solenoids click, one solenoid for each button on the control, then it is not electrical unless the wiring at the controls is very screwed up and the same solenoid is clicking regardless of which button you push. Did you have the third function controls apart and do anything with that wiring?

Since you mention four gallons of oil, is that the hydraulic oil that would be used to operate the grapple? If so then you may have air in that system that needs to be purged.

I've had this tractor for about a year and I've put around 50 hours on it. I've added nothing changed nothing it's exactly as I bought it.


As far as oil I had the problem with grapple before I added the oil which I had lost when I pulled out pto shaft.

As far as the controls I haven't touched them as far as the click I can't tell it seems like both are clicking when I push the button. The button only gets pushed down than you move joystick left or right (tilt) and that operates the grapple. Everything worked fine disconnected it put bucket on . Then months later put on grapple and issues started.

Thanks

 

[Moosebiker]

What model tractor is this?

Dan

La525

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Quick connectors are notorious for doing what your explaining.
Try disconnecting and reconnecting and see if anything changes.
Try reversing the hose connections and see what you get.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

La525

That's the model of the loader not the model of the tractor.
And it's really not the right Model number either.
The LA525 is an older model on a L3200 /L3600

You have a LA525FL on a L3301 tractor.

 

[Moosebiker]

That's the model of the loader not the model of the tractor.
And it's really not the right Model number either.
The LA525 is an older model on a L3200 /L3600

You have a LA525FL on a L3301 tractor.

Ok

 

[Moosebiker]

Quick connectors are notorious for doing what your explaining.
Try disconnecting and reconnecting and see if anything changes.
Try reversing the hose connections and see what you get.

I've switched connections numerous times same thing. Have changed hoses from another piece of equipment tried another cylinder from different grapple same problem.
Thanks

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I've switched connections numerous times same thing. Have changed hoses from another piece of equipment tried another cylinder from different grapple same problem.
Thanks

Sounds like you've done everything except eliminated or bypassed the tractor side of the quick coupler, try that.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I've had this tractor for about a year and I've put around 50 hours on it. I've added nothing changed nothing it's exactly as I bought it.


As far as oil I had the problem with grapple before I added the oil which I had lost when I pulled out pto shaft.

As far as the controls I haven't touched them as far as the click I can't tell it seems like both are clicking when I push the button. The button only gets pushed down than you move joystick left or right (tilt) and that operates the grapple. Everything worked fine disconnected it put bucket on . Then months later put on grapple and issues started.
Ki
Thanks

How many buttons on the joystick?

Dan

 

[Moosebiker]

How many buttons on the joystick?

Dan

One

 

[TheOldHokie]

One

I thought so based on your picture and description of operation. With the button pressed the joystick handle is moved left/right to open/close the grapple. When the button is not pressed the joystick is moved left/right to dump/curl the grapple. Is this correct?

If so and it certainly looks like it from your pictures pushing the button should activate both solenoids. The solenoids activate two spools that switch the loader valve bucket work ports over to the lid cylinders on the grapple. With the button pressed can you dump or curl the grapple? If you can one of the solenoids is not working.

Please post a picture showing the entire right side of the loader from the joystick to grapple cylinders

Dan

 

[Moosebiker]

Yes correct on the operation of the third function hold button left right open close.

Yes if the button is not pushed you can tilt the grapple but it only operational in one direction. And both grapples are brand new used maybe twice

I'm thinking it may be what Wolfman said the fittings. It appears that the original Quick-Disconnect was 3/4 they left a broken Quick-Disconnect bolted to loader frame. Now the Quick-Disconnect appear to be 1/4 .

So if I wanted to put everything new as far as fittings and adapters and o rings and everything what sizes would you all recommend. The hoses are all in great condition.
Thanks

 

[TheOldHokie]

Yes correct on the operation of the third function hold button left right open close.

Yes if the button is not pushed you can tilt the grapple but it only operational in one direction. And both grapples are brand new used maybe twice

I'm thinking it may be what Wolfman said the fittings. It appears that the original Quick-Disconnect was 3/4 they left a broken Quick-Disconnect bolted to loader frame. Now the Quick-Disconnect appear to be 1/4 .

So if I wanted to put everything new as far as fittings and adapters and o rings and everything what sizes would you all recommend. The hoses are all in great condition.
Thanks

This is the behavior as I now understand it:

1. The grapple will only tilt one direction with the button relased
2. The grapple lid will only operate one direction with the button pressed

If that is correct you you would have to have two couplers not working - one on the grapple tilt cylinder hoses and one on the grapple lid cylinder hoses. That sounds unlikely. I think something else is going on and I would positively identify the problem before starting to throw parts at it.

Dan

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Think I need more info on the valve in this picture, how many lines are going to or coming from it?
Is it 4 or 6?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Has it worked properly for you in the past?

 

[Moosebiker]

Yes I used it maybe 3 times then the last time I tried it the problem showed up. Everything thing else is fine tilts lifts does everything . The problem just popped up I've not used since.

I bought everything as a package deal everything worked fine . I tore a hose on the grapple I replaced it everything worked fine again. I put the grapple away put bucket on all good. I tried the grapple again and here we are.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Yes I used it maybe 3 times then the last time I tried it the problem showed up. Everything thing else is fine tilts lifts does everything . The problem just popped up I've not used since.

I bought everything as a package deal everything worked fine . I tore a hose on the grapple I replaced it everything worked fine again. I put the grapple away put bucket on all good. I tried the grapple again and here we are.

You just told us that tiit only works one way. Which is it?

Dan