It's Insanely Hard To Re-Attach A Pressurized Grapple To The Kioti Tractor (Lesson Learned!)

[@troyb.4101]

We can all learn from this , Thank you!

[@acreagestuff]

Awesome to hear, thanks!

[@mrbumblehill4596]

i bought these QD hydraulic couplers from TSC - Pioneer 1/2 in. Connect Under Pressure Tip, 1/2 in. NPTF. They have a pressure relief tip built in. I honestly haven't used them yet ( no grapple yet), but they have good reviews. Concept makes sense.

[@acreagestuff]

Thanks for sharing!

[@beardedrockinhillbilly]

Before detaching the grapple, you should have the tractor turned off, then manipulate both third function buttons and the joystick in all directions. This releases built up hydraulic pressure on the grapple side. If you didn't relieve the pressure before unhooking, you will have to depress the detents on the coupling fittings to allow hydraulic fluid to leak out. Yes it's messy and have them pointed away from you, or loosen the couplings so they leak as you did. 🚜

[@acreagestuff]

For sure, I know that now haha- this was learning from experience! Thanks for the comment! Hopefully this helps someone else avoid the same issue.

[@waynekibbler2710]

@@acreagestuff since the third function on this tractor is an electric actuator you need to put the key in the run position and activate both buttons on the third function. That will release pressure. I have the same tractor and grapple. As soon as you start the tractor pressure will be present on the third function. I am also a little surprised on how much hydraulic fluid you added, may want to check after running to see if you are not overfull. Cheers.

[@banjoboy9443]

Shut off the engine and then turn key back to the on position before relieving pressure on the joystick. Works every time…😊

[@acreagestuff]

Yup, have been doing this recently and it does seem to work! Thanks!

[@NoName-sx5fl]

When you take your grapple off, attach the male fitting to the female fitting and then pressure can flow freely as things heat and cool. Then detach from eachother and hook to tractor. That has worked for me. Sometimes it is still a little rough when I leave the tractor running, but I chalk that up to pressure on the tractor side and if I shut the tractor off, secure the grapple to the loader, then play with the joystick and third function, all pressure is relieved on both ends and it is easy. Usually I can leave the tractor running, but the grapple has no way to equalize pressure once it is built up, so hook the hydraulic lines together as soon as you disconnect.

[@acreagestuff]

Really good tip, thanks!

[@ericginsel5621]

Irwin makes a tool for that i have one i keep on my tractor , about 90$ on amazon , works great

[@acreagestuff]

I saw that! Looks awesome, but Amazon in Canada it's $260!!

[@ericginsel5621]

@@acreagestuff thats crazy ,89$ US , i use mine all the time , another option might be to change from flat face to pioneer couplers , i switched to flat face because the pioneer had a tendency to leak , thats when i bought the Irwin clamp

[@houndsmanone4563]

You can buy a tool that forces the couplers together. It looks just like anIrwin clamp. Infact, Irwin joined forces with a company to make this tool. Andrew Camararta uses it regularly on his skid steer flat faced couplers. I bought one in 2020 and use it almost every time I reinstall my grapple. Regardless of how I attempt to relieve hydraulic pressure, it's just a PITA. Here's a video of the tool I purchased. I hope you don't have to go through undoing hoses to relieve pressure in the future. kzbin.info/www/bejne/opqboYl8ecdjsLc 👍🏽🤠 10/08/24

[@acreagestuff]

Thanks for sharing! I don’t know how I didn’t see that before, I will have to pick one up. I agree, even with relieving the pressure before disconnecting, temperature swings etc can make it a pain!

[@christhomas9837]

When you coiled up the extra hose and put a zip tie on them did you leave enough slack to fully dump the grapple?

[@acreagestuff]

Hasn’t been an issue yet, but good to check for sure.

[@anthonywalls3281]

all tractor owners who have a grapple when you unhook from your grapple clip your hoses together on your grapple and you will never have problems hooking it up again I never turn my tractor off or foe with a joystick to hook it up. All the pressures in the grapple not on the tractor. Just a quick tip 👍.

[@acreagestuff]

Thanks for the comment! That is really helpful, will be doing this next time.

[@OShackHennessy]

Every time I use my grapple I crack the lines, attach it, then tighten the lines. A crescent wrench rides with every machine that uses the grapple. Easy peasy never have to struggle.

[@OShackHennessy]

When I say I crack the lines I just crack the grapple lines until a bit of fluid leaks I don’t mess with the tractor couplings.

[@acreagestuff]

You are right, I probably didn't need to crack the tractor lines, but I wasn't sure so I did all four.

[@TheBrushcutter]

You done messed up A A Ron. LMAO

[@OShackHennessy]

@@TheBrushcutter if one of y’all gives me another silly ass name…

[@TheBrushcutter]

@@OShackHennessy Denise...?

[@firstname6208]

I have hooked and unlocked my attachments hundreds of times and not once did I loosen lines to relieve pressure. But you guys keep doing what you do. Case closed.

[@Shirl15239]

This guy don’t know what he’s doing let the pressure off the lines

[@acreagestuff]

Correct. I know now lol.