Gator Grapple fix for Kubota SSQA

[dstig1]

Some of you will recall my previous posts last fall dealing with my grapple falling off. Here is some of it, if you are curious, but basically it turns out that the grapple as designed is not perfectly compatible with the SSQA on Kubotas as the Kubota plate is stepped back slightly at the tip and the Gator grapple is wide open in that area so a little too much flex and it can pop off:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/195968-everybody-loves-guessing-game.html

So here is my fix: I added 2 beefy sections of 3" x 4" x 3/8" angle in the upper corners as braces and added some 3/4" x #9 expanded metal to stop sticks from poking through and jabbing the grill or knocking open the SSQA levers inadvertently.

This is the problem:

You can see the step in the Kubota orange bracket way up at the top - that first 1/2" or so that is exposed is stepped back from the rest of the plate below it.


And here is the angle clamped in place prior to welding to fix it:

Here's a couple shots of it after I finished and painted it up. I am not currently accepting commentary on the quality of the welds But I made up in quantity what I lacked in quality...I hope..

I do not have time this weekend to try it out yet, but hopefully next weekend I can. I believe this will finally fix the problems I had for once and for all. I forgot to get pictures with it on the tractor after I was done, but it all fits fine and I think will solve all my issues with this. Sad to have to do this to a new unit, but that's the way it goes.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Nice mod! I like the expanded metal idea also. I am also having a problem with the fit of my Gator Grapple. In my case the tapered pins that engage the bottom of the mounting plate are loose and sloppy even when they are all the way down.The grapple can't come off the QA, but I am afraid the slop will get something bent sooner or later. I think I will make the bottom slot narrower by welding a piece of flat stock over the bottom of the mount. Has anyone else seen this type of problem with a standard QA plate? I should add that there is no problem when I attach my bucket or my forks, so i feel it is unique to the Gator mounting plate.

 

[dstig1]

That was the first fix I did, at Gator's direction. I added a second plate that they sent me on top of the lower QA plate (where the angled pins catch) to shorten up the gap that was there. I think the gap was also out of spec, in addition to the design flaw related to Kubotas QA design. They really should have a flat plate in that last segment of the grapple, IMHO. Here's a pic of that tacked in place (and it was detailed in one of my previous threads):

 

[foggy1111]

In the short time I have operated my gator grapple I have come to realize I need some material (bars or expanded metal) in the center of the grapple too. Much like you have done. :thumbsup:

I have had numerous branches poke through the large gaps found in the middle of the grapple. These have snagged my hydraulic hoses and interfered with the loader operation...etc. No damage done yet....more of a hassle so far.....but I can see its just a matter of time before I damage something. Its hard to see it all.

Good posts here.

 

[westbrooklawn]

dstig1 - Thanks for the pics... that is exactly what I had in mind to correct the problem. Rather than try to build something myself, I should probably contact Gator and see if they would provide me with the plates, especially since it seems to be a design problem on their end.

 

[davygp38]

I have the same Markham Grapple bucket, in the 60" size. I have had no problems with it. I bought mine in early 2009. That being said, I will take a closer look at it now. I do like the expanded metal Mod. Nice job.

 

[avc8130]

I have a similar problem with my pallet forks I build using standard SSQA plates. They "pop" out of the Kubota quick attach if I push them to the ground.
ac

 

[dstig1]

I have the same Markham Grapple bucket, in the 60" size. I have had no problems with it. I bought mine in early 2009. That being said, I will take a closer look at it now. I do like the expanded metal Mod. Nice job.

Davy - I believe you don't have the problem as you have the 60" version. On that one, the second row of "tines" line up behind the SSQA plates, so it has something backing it up. On the 48" version, there is nothing but air, as you can see in my first pic.

avc8130 - you may have too large of a gap at the bottom, or something else going on. Post up pics and maybe one of us can diagnose.

foggy - the #9 x 3/4" expanded was what was recommended by another member (Jay in the thread I linked above). It is heavy enough that you can weld it to the grapple, if you are careful and keep the puddle on the grapple and then just blip it onto the mesh. Still I burned through a couple of them (3/32 6013, DC+ ~60A). It would be a lot easier with MIG or TIG, I think, but I don't have those at this point. I got a drop that was 3x4' from Discount Steel in Mpls. for about half price.

 

[dstig1]

dstig1 - Thanks for the pics... that is exactly what I had in mind to correct the problem. Rather than try to build something myself, I should probably contact Gator and see if they would provide me with the plates, especially since it seems to be a design problem on their end.

Actually I think that what you are describing is a tolerance issue on their end. The gap is bigger than it should be. That was what they thought the problem was on mine initially, thus the initial fix of adding the plate. I would hope they would supply the plates to you, like they did for me, though I did have to weld them on myself. You could find a shop to do it if you do not have a welder, I'm sure. You will need to measure the gap so they can cut the right thickness material for you. Make sure you check in a couple spots on each side and use the smallest dimension (minus a little wiggle room) so you don't cause interference that keeps it from going together.

They won't admit any design issue, in my experience. "Never heard of it before" was the response I got, and I don't believe it anymore after what I have read here.

 

[MaineTWLSB]

What I'm most impressed with, Dave, is your faith in your sawhorses! ;-)