Section 7: Troubleshooting
6/17/21
26
Troubleshooting Chart
Problem
Cause
Solution
Cannot lift load
Load exceeds lift capacity.
Reduce load on grapple.
Hydraulic hoses are stretched
and/or damaged
Hydraulic hoses are catching on tree limbs,
debris, or other solid objects.
Replace hydraulic hoses. Stay away from
objects that can catch on hydraulic hoses.
Stop immediately if hoses are catching on
an object and remove object. If helpful,
readjust hose routing.
Hydraulic fittings are
damaged
Hydraulic hoses and/or fittings are catching
on tree limbs, debris, or other solid objects
causing fittings to become damaged.
Replace hydraulic fittings. Stay away from
objects that can catch on hydraulic hoses.
Stop immediately if hoses are catching on
an object and remove object. If helpful,
readjust hose routing.
Claws don’t sufficiently clamp
tight on a load
A load taken from a pile can be too bulky to
properly clamp while in the pile.
Re-clamp load once load is free from pile.
Upper claw does not operate
Hydraulic hoses are not coupled to tractor.
Reattach couplings to tractor.
Hydraulic hoses and/or fittings are
damaged.
See under “Problem” column: “Hydraulic
hoses are stretched and/or damaged” and
“Hydraulic fittings are damaged”
Load is shifting
Grapple hitch is not properly attached to
front loader hitch plate.
Always make certain grapple hitch is
properly attached before lifting a load.
Reattach hitch to front loader hitch if loose.
Load is being carried too high.
Recommended carrying height is as close
to ground as possible without hitting
objects.
Traveling and/or turning too fast.
Reduce speed to a safe non-bouncing
speed.
Traveling sideways to an incline.
Travel straight up and down inclines.
Claws not clamped tight against the load.
Re-clamp load once load is free from pile.
Load is not centered in grapple.
Center load on grapple.
Traveling with bottom teeth tilted down at
the front.
Keep load slightly tilted back to secure its
weight against the bottom grapple teeth.
Teeth are bent.
Straighten bent teeth.
Traveling forward while going down
an incline with a slope in excess of
10 percent (5.7 degrees).
Back down steep inclines.
Teeth are bending or breaking
The load’s center of gravity is not centered
in the grapple.
Reposition load so that the load’s center of
gravity is centered in the grapple.
Load is too heavy for the grapple.
Lift lighter loads.
Ramming grapple into the ground or load.
Never ram with grapple.
Striking solid objects with the grapple.
Watch for objects while moving and allow
clearance when making turns.
Inspect area thoroughly before working in it
and place markers, such as flags, to
indicate potential hazards.
Prying objects out of the ground.
Never use grapple to pry objects.
Wedging objects between teeth with upper
claw.
Do not wedge objects between teeth with
upper claw.
Section 7: Troubleshooting
