I’ve had my tractor for 5 months but had the 3rd function to the FEL installed upon purchase. I finally received my grapple today after a lengthy wait , connected it to my tractor, connected the flat faced fittings and tried to put it to work. This a double grapple root rake .the grapples opened up quickly as they should but they have very limited downward pressure ( not enough to pick up a leaf) seriously. I disconnected and reconnected the hoses several times to no avail. I worked the grapples up and down many times thinking there may be air in the system but I don’t think that is the problem. It may be the valve it’s self - heck, I don’t know! Is there a way to adjust the hydraulic flow? Or maybe they put the fittings on the wrong hoses or lines from the tractor. I’m stumped lol.
Kubota l6060 3rd function to grapple help
- Thread starter OldSchool59
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TheOldHokie
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Jaws open and close so on the surface it seems you are getting flow in both directions. Do you have force when the jaws open?
Dan
TheOldHokie
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Yes but do they open with force? Put something heavy on top of them or hang something heavy from the tines.
Dan
I checked it and the grapples will push a big brush pile with heavy tree’s in it ! Tilted about 5 degree’s forward , fully closed then extending them !
TheOldHokie
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OK. And they will not pull that same brush pile towards the tractor and squeeze it down when closing?
If the answer is yes try swapping the hoses. I assume the couplers on the grapple hoses are one female and one male. I hate that ....
Dan
Zero pressure when closing/ clamping! Yes Sir, male and female ! I am concerned with it doing the exact opposite when switching connectors though! It may be back in the valve body .. dagnabit! Easy things first so I’ll switch the fittings ! Thanks
Wick
TheOldHokie
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The purpose of switching the connections is not to fix the problem. It is to confirm the problem moves with the hoses.
I am having a hard time coming up with an explanation for the behavior.
While you have the couplers off you can also check that you are getting flow from both hoses. Put the open ends of the hoses in a bucket and operate the 3rd function switch both ways while watching for flow from the hoses. I am inclined to think only one is working.
Dan
Well, I “ think” that I found the culprit! The female coupler on the tractor seemed sticky when I first connected the hose from the grapple to it. I pulled that rascal off and it is frozen with no movement in the spring collar
! Piece of junk Chinese made - oh well, I guess y’all get my point! It was under warranty but I went to work on it trying to free it up and it May have some vice scratches on it 
! What’s another $120 for a new Chinese piece of … junk! If I could find one made in USA Or Germany I would definitely spring for it. Thanks for all of your help for now. If replacing it doesn’t work I’ll be back 
! Happy independence wknd
TheOldHokie
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WhooHoo!Well, I “ think” that I found the culprit! The female coupler on the tractor seemed sticky when I first connected the hose from the grapple to it. I pulled that rascal off and it is frozen with no movement in the spring collar
That seems likely although I still cant figure how it partially works.
What is the model number on the couplers. Plenty of sources for couplers.
Dan
Well, I put an American made fitting on and though it connects better that isn’t the problem ! It’s got to be from the loader connects back to the valve body - I’m pretty sure it’s in the valve body !
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The valve body for the Kubota 3rd function that’s mounted under the right side floorboard?
IIRC, your tractor has a true OEM (dealer installed) Kubota 3rd function rather than a diverter off the curl circuit of the FEL, correct?
IIRC, your tractor has a true OEM (dealer installed) Kubota 3rd function rather than a diverter off the curl circuit of the FEL, correct?
TheOldHokie
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I was eondering how that coupler could have worked one way and not the other. That did not make much sense.
So the test process is the same. You know something is blocking that side of the circuit so work backwards from the coupler disconnecting the circuit as you go and testing to see if the third function works. I would disconnect the hose at the 3rd function valve and test there next.
Dan
i ended up swapping the two lines at the loader valve and that fixed the issue! I’m up and going now
i appreciate everyone’s help so much!
Great. Glad you got it up and going.
It would seem swapping the two lines of the grapple at the 3rd function connection on the front of the FEL would have done it as well, if that was the only problem.
It would seem swapping the two lines of the grapple at the 3rd function connection on the front of the FEL would have done it as well, if that was the only problem.
TheOldHokie
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Happy its fixed but still confused. You swapped what lines?i ended up swapping the two lines at the loader valve and that fixed the issue! I’m up and going now
i appreciate everyone’s help so much!
Do you really mean loader valve or more likely third function valve?
If third function was it work port lines to cylinder or pump supply and return?
This isnt adding up for me and I hate mysteries.
Dan