Hey Mike, I totally understand about pondering on things, takes me awhile to get these kinda things done as well, comes with age I guess, I used to do things faster, but back them I made mistakes as well, nothing wrong with over analyzing things, do it right the first time 😁
I have watched a number of these videos and everyone places the diverter at the back of the loader. Why not place the diverter at the front of the loader and just connect to the bucket dump cylinder? That way all that is need is a long electrical connection.
I have been watching your videos since close to the beginning. Overall your videos are good because they present an interesting well planned message or topic. Your editing and production was initially good and has improved to excellent. You present the issue in a clear concise way. You explain the relevant who, what, where, why, and how. After you discuss an issue you move on. This is very important - you are not redundant. Occasional repetition for emphasis is necessary and good. Thank you for not being redundant! The previous video which is the introduction to the product and project is excellent because you thoroughly explain your goal, how the product will accomplish the goal, and what is necessary to install the product. Wisely, you use and demonstrate the best in contemporary tractors - New Holland. In this video you present the installation of the product with editorial cautions. You demonstrate how to install the product and explain why you are doing certain parts of the installation. Your installation is very professional. Your occasional bursts of humor are appropriate and very funny. In my opinion, these two videos are some of your finest work and put you in a higher league. I certainly nominate these videos for the RU-vid academy awards. Thank you and keep up the great work.
under the mat is a bad thing. You'll wear through the wire's insulation over time. You should run it under the metal and zip tie it to convenient frame members.
I appreciate the excitement shown when the grapple worked. Nice sense of accomplishment to be sure. Now tell the truth Mike. Have ya ever been that excited after working on a tractor just for it starting up? Lol.
Some tractors have a regeneration system where you have to do that. It wouldn't really matter to me which circuit it's on, but if you're used to one it would take time to wrap your brain around changing to the other. In other words it would probably screw you up to change from one to another, there would be a steep learning curve.
I was hoping you would have a simple drawing of how the hydraulic lines were installed, i have the dame valve already installed on my tractor but no hoses or grapples yet. It came with the tractor in 2007 and am now looking at adding grapples and hoses for it
Mike, I have an old Ford 7700, with extra remote on the back for a load monitor. I’m not sure what that is, but, I’m wondering if that extra remote could be used for a grapple hook-up?
regarding the KUBOTA comment that it should NOT be installed using the curl and tilt function and should be on the raise and lower function, please explain further, I installed on the tilt and curl and it does not function properly... thanks...
Hi Mike. I have a mahindra 2638 with loader and back hoe. I want to put a grapple on it. There's no videos how to install the third function valve with a hoe already installed. I can't seem to figure out where the power beyond on loader valve is. There is a lot of hoses and connectors coming out of the valve. Can you help?? John
Good video. Does anyone know if he made a shopping list for this project for the adapters? I know he can't do that.for the hoses due to the different tractor models. Thanks
John, I have a list of the adapters that fit my tractor, which may or may not work on yours if it's a different model. Shoot me an e-mail at mike@asktractormike.com and I'll send it to you.
Nice job Mike... What type of Grapple did you purchase, and how much did it weigh... we have been in the market for a while & have found it a bit confusing with the various units... God Bless...Chief...{NYS/ADK}
Funny you should ask, I have a total of six grapples here to test. Stay tuned... They're all on demo from a company not too far from me. I get to test all, then purchase what I want and market on my website. I have to be honest, I've never used a grapple, but each of these is slightly different and I'm anxious to try each. I think I know which one will be the best to work for me, it's a grapple that you add to your pallet forks, but I want to see if the experience backs up my hunch.
I had the same question. The one in this video looked like an Artillian, but I can't say for sure. I am about to add a third control or diverter to my tractor. I think I'll want a grapple with lots of teeth on the bottom end for clearing small trees, roots included in some areas. I'm anxious to hear tractor Mike's opinion on the pros and cons of each concept.
Here you go: asktractormike.com/product/hydraulic-diverter-valve-for-tractor/. Please let me know if you have any questions, my e-mail is mike@asktractormike.com.
Bob, it's this one: asktractormike.com/product/hydraulic-diverter-valve-for-tractor/. And full disclosure, I sell it there on my website so I'm a little prejudiced :). If you decide to go that way, e-mail me at mike@asktractormike.com and I'll send you a list of the additional parts that I had to source to mount it exactly the way I show in the video and that'll save you a little time.
Great couple of videos, Mike! And it gave me an idea. One of the "extras" that came standard with my LS tractor was 2 sets of rear hydraulic pickups. After watching your videos, I was wondering; is there any reason why I couldn't just get 2 hoses (apprx. 12' ea) and feed them off the rear hookups to power a grapple/snow blower/etc? I'm thinking I can zip tie the hoses alongside the boom with the existing hoses for the bucket and snake the hoses through a length of PVC in the operator's area to protect them. Thoughts?
Lawrence, that'll work just great! The only disadvantage is you'll be using one hand on the rear remote lever, one hand on the joystick and one hand on the steering wheel, which can be a little tough :), but if I had rear remotes that's exactly what I would do and save a bunch of money.
Hi Mike. I'm your neighbor in Northwest AR. I am trying to find a fair price on a Massey Fergason 3rd function kit for my 2705e. Do you have any tips for me? Thanks, Mike.
Howdy neighbor! Call Ron at Marshfield Machinery in Marshfield, Missouri at (417) 859-2117. Tell him Tractor Mike told you to call, I owe him. He'll try to get you the best price he can, but those kits tend to be a little pricey.
@@TractorMike Thanks, Mike. I bit the bullet yesterday and Ordered it from Midwest in Green Forest. They are the company that I purchased the 2705e from. $1600 installed. Yikes! I need it to pick up the trimmings from my Walnut orchard. Now I will start shopping for the grapple. They only had one option. Do you think my tractor can handle the 84 inch one? Thanks again, Mike.
Hey Mike I don't mean this to be negative or sound preachy but why not just buy a real 3rd function kit? You'd still be able to use all the loader functions plus the grapple and the kit mounts under the tractor with the loader valve for a much cleaner look not to mention the expensive valve, hardware, and fittings are in a more protected area. I'm much rather spend $500 on a true 3rd function kit. Another problem with this kit is the safety issue of having the operator get a face full of hot hydraulic oil from a tree limb or some brush catching on that mess hanging off the loader arm. I enjoy your videos and again I'm not being negative just curious why you chose this over the true 3rd function kit.
I'm not Mike, but as someone who just purchased a diverter instead of a third function, I can tell you why it made sense for me. One, it's cheaper. Two, it's easier to plumb. Three, and this was the kicker for me, you can feather the grapple open or closed with a diverter because when you are holding the button, your joystick controls the flow, instead of just open or closed at full flow with a third function.
Pipe dope is for tapered pipe threads only! As in NPT. Not for flares, "O" ring boss fittings (they are straight threads and the seal is the "O" ring). Three wraps in the correct direction, and neatly layered. Good install but I agree with others, manufacture should provide reasonably priced kit that uses the tractors hydraulic connections already on board.
