Grapple Homemade Grapple with pics and video

[mwb]

I finally joined youtube and was able to post video so I thought I would post some details of my grapple now. The pics and video are a year old...

This grapple works very well for brush. I installed it on my pallet forks, very light weight (probably seventy pounds total), and it is operated from one of the rear remotes. I have also used it for moving rocks but the pallet forks are best suited for brush and logs.

For anyone debating whether or not to get a grapple, maybe the video will show how useful one can be. There is almost nothing more satisfying than picking up a load of brush and crushing it:thumbsup:

Note; the first pic shows the forks on my original Montana QA; I have since changed it to SS style...

Sorry, I know pictures with snow are depressing but it was all I had

This the forks; they are the 'floating' kind - only attached by the round bar at the top. I intend to make another set that slide on tracks top and bottom.


Here is the grapple; it attaches by the same bar that the forks are hung on with an additional pin for the cylinder.



YouTube - 20091212 004.mov

 

[jake98]

Great job!

 

[foggy1111]

Nicely done! Good write-up and pictures (video no less ) too! :thumbsup:

 

[blueriver]

Pretty darn slick ... good job!!

 

[beppington]

Make me one too! Make me one too! I need an orange one, but I'll take green & handle the re-paint.

 

[teg]

Grapples... :thumbsup: (even the wife was happy with that attachment :laughing

 

[jake98]

it's a good illustration of how tine size, spacing, weight, etc., matters little compared to the clamping function for moving brush.

 

[kattywumpus]

Good job, I always wonder how well pallet forks with a thumb would work.

 

[butchtn]

HI I LIVE IN TN AND HAVE MF 50 IND TRACTOR I AM WANTING TO MAKE A HOME MADE GRAPPLE FORK FOR IT ANY BODY GOT ANY IDEAS TO HELP ME OUT ?
NEED SOME IDEA AS TO HOW TO HOOK HYD CONTROLS INTO HYD SYSTEM THANKS

 

[schmism]

there are 2 common ways

1) run hoses all the way to the rear of the machine and use a rear remote.
2) use an electric diverter valve.

you can search for the diverter valve, its been written up many times with lots of good pics and ideas on how to actuate it.