KAB
Gold Member
After reading about how usefull a grapple can be and threads like:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/48738-question-about-grapple.html? from pineridge
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/96910-low-buck-grapple-build.html? from ryan03
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/84907-tatro-grapples-wr-long-valves.html? from 3rrl
I decided to build a grapple. I liked ryan03's idea of using a box blade shank and priced them at Tractor Supply for approx $27ea. Until I walked through a Lowes on evening and found 3 pieces of 1/2" x 2" x 3' of steel for $5 ea. (The following day I went back to Lowes to see if they had more of the steel and found some in overhead storage so I asked an employee if they were a discontinued item, and they were. I then asked what they would be willing to sell them for if I bought the remaining pieces... Sold at $4ea.) figured that I could cut and weld the bars into what looked like a grapple arm. (first Pic)
After I had the arm pieces cut I welded them up (second pic). I then used part of 2 more peices to make an angle bracket and the mounting points for the arms and hyd cyl. (see 3rd pic for outcome.)
This is where I found that trying to find a hyd cyl that would let the grapple open and close the most was going to be an interesting experience. (sorry no pics of this process.) The Kioti CK20 bucket opening is either smaller that what most grapples are designed for or the grapples that are available on ebay would not have worked the way that I would have wanted. I found that a cyl with a 6" stroke would have probably caused some problems. (I looked at a lot of pictures on ebay to try to figure out how to create a grapple.) To help figure out which size of cyl would work the best, I used a bunch of scrape peices of steel and the mounting "plate" and 1 arm attached to the bucket and tried to get an accurate measurement of the min retracted lenght and the maximum extended lenght the cyl could be.
Once I had a rough estimate of the cyl size I then check Surplus Center - Hydraulic Equipment Electric Motors for a cyl that would fit. As I narrowed down the cyl choices I decided to use the top link from 3ph with the measurements marked on it in marker to make sure the cyl that I selected would work. I found this cyl. Surplus Center Item Detail. (this cyl will be used for another project. It has been tested for the other project and worked as expected but I need to rework a bracket before I post what I did.)
Once I got the the cyl, I did some test fitting to make sure that I had the proper placement of the cyl. to ensure the correct operation of opening and closing. (4th and 5th pic)
I then welded it all up (6th pic) and painted it.
When I went to use it I found that between the final test fit and welding it together the cyl mounting on the cross tube somehow move about a 1/4" out of position and required some temp mods to make it usable. I did not have the camera with me when I put it to use for the first time but can tell you I was able to pick up an 14" base by about 50' long cherry log. and about another 20' top section of the same tree in 1 grab. (I should have pics of the log and brush piles in the next week or so.)
Need to go for now but will fill in with more info as time permits.
Kurt
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/48738-question-about-grapple.html? from pineridge
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/96910-low-buck-grapple-build.html? from ryan03
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/84907-tatro-grapples-wr-long-valves.html? from 3rrl
I decided to build a grapple. I liked ryan03's idea of using a box blade shank and priced them at Tractor Supply for approx $27ea. Until I walked through a Lowes on evening and found 3 pieces of 1/2" x 2" x 3' of steel for $5 ea. (The following day I went back to Lowes to see if they had more of the steel and found some in overhead storage so I asked an employee if they were a discontinued item, and they were. I then asked what they would be willing to sell them for if I bought the remaining pieces... Sold at $4ea.) figured that I could cut and weld the bars into what looked like a grapple arm. (first Pic)
After I had the arm pieces cut I welded them up (second pic). I then used part of 2 more peices to make an angle bracket and the mounting points for the arms and hyd cyl. (see 3rd pic for outcome.)
This is where I found that trying to find a hyd cyl that would let the grapple open and close the most was going to be an interesting experience. (sorry no pics of this process.) The Kioti CK20 bucket opening is either smaller that what most grapples are designed for or the grapples that are available on ebay would not have worked the way that I would have wanted. I found that a cyl with a 6" stroke would have probably caused some problems. (I looked at a lot of pictures on ebay to try to figure out how to create a grapple.) To help figure out which size of cyl would work the best, I used a bunch of scrape peices of steel and the mounting "plate" and 1 arm attached to the bucket and tried to get an accurate measurement of the min retracted lenght and the maximum extended lenght the cyl could be.
Once I had a rough estimate of the cyl size I then check Surplus Center - Hydraulic Equipment Electric Motors for a cyl that would fit. As I narrowed down the cyl choices I decided to use the top link from 3ph with the measurements marked on it in marker to make sure the cyl that I selected would work. I found this cyl. Surplus Center Item Detail. (this cyl will be used for another project. It has been tested for the other project and worked as expected but I need to rework a bracket before I post what I did.)
Once I got the the cyl, I did some test fitting to make sure that I had the proper placement of the cyl. to ensure the correct operation of opening and closing. (4th and 5th pic)
I then welded it all up (6th pic) and painted it.
When I went to use it I found that between the final test fit and welding it together the cyl mounting on the cross tube somehow move about a 1/4" out of position and required some temp mods to make it usable. I did not have the camera with me when I put it to use for the first time but can tell you I was able to pick up an 14" base by about 50' long cherry log. and about another 20' top section of the same tree in 1 grab. (I should have pics of the log and brush piles in the next week or so.)
Need to go for now but will fill in with more info as time permits.
Kurt
