Making a different grapple for forks or bucket (pics)

[Knight]

I been looking at the grapples that attach to buckets, but I have a quick attach bucket on my Kubota L3400. Drop the bucket and put on forks. None of the grapples were made to do what I needed, so I made my own.
I bolted square tubing to my loaded arms, The grapple slides into these square tubing and locks in with bolts. The grapple is independent of the forks or bucket.

[Knight]

I used a electric over hydraulic valve which made the hoses clean looking and I put a lighted rocker switch on the dash to control the grapple

[Knight]

I tested it and it works great with no flexing. I was able to pick up a pile of debris and crushed a garbage can in the process.
I will clean up welds, make it look good, then paint it.

[herringchoker]

Great idea...thinking "outside the box".
I'm collecting ideas for a future grapple build...I may just copy yours. Thanks for sharing.

[lhfarm]

Looks like a great idea. Could you share some more design details? How did you make the arms and calculate the size ram you needed?

Thanks,

[Knight]

Originally Posted by lhfarm

Looks like a great idea. Could you share some more design details? How did you make the arms and calculate the size ram you needed?

Thanks,

Not much calculations, just looked at other grapples, found a 2.5x 8" cylinder on ebay.
The arms I found at a machine shop (They made big round fixtures to hold jet engines.)
To make the cylinder stroke length, pivot angles, I used two different size PVC pipes so one could slide inside the other. Then played around with clamping different angles. I wanted this grapple to open wide, out of the way.
I had to cut the welds once and tweak it in. I wanted the fork option because I wanted to grab tree logs, then switch to a bucket for general use. Two bolts and a quick disconnect for hydraulics and I could pull off this grapple. But it will most likely stay on the loader arms and work with each attachment.

The square tubing that went into the arms fits tight and the bolts just hold it from moving out of position.
anyone needs measurements, let me know.

[kennyd]

That is a pretty neat setupGlad you got it all working

[Knight]

I'm not happy with my fabrication skills. I always rush the job and now I have to go back and clean things up.
I also need to stop rushing my welding. I have been welding for years, but my welds look like crap.
The grapple is not quite straight and I'm debating making the arm assembly over or reworking this one. I like to see perfection, I just don't always take the time for it in my metal work.
If I had the confidence that this grapple would have worked as good as it does, I would have spent more time making it. Now I have to go back and spend the time fixing it.

[3RRL]

I think you did a great job.
I really like the thought of having grapples when using forks. It's like the ultimate brush clearing/moving tool. I have a set of forks and a detachable grapple (bucket mount) that I will move from forks back to bucket. I still have a lot to do before I get to that project though.
Thanks for sharing!

[Ductape]

I'm smelling a patent oportunity here !

Great idea.