Built a Grapple

woodlandfarms · Jun 24, 2011

I finally pulled the trigger, spent $350 for steel and ended up with a new (and not very shiny) grapple bottom. Total cost is around 420. 350 for steel, 50 for drill bit, 20 for rod. and then my labor (2+ 10 hour days) Not a bad price at the end of the day

I ordered a bucket with Grapple from Lackendar Fab when I bought the tractor. Loved the combo, but at the end of the day either wanted the bucket on its own or the grapple on its own.

So, took some ideas from here, bought the steel and a special drill bit 20 lbs of 7018 and put the bottom of the grapple together. Probably have another $30 in paint once I decide on a color.

Things I learned. Never assume concrete is level. Built this on the only concrete pad on my property, thought it was level. It looked level. Saddle the last tab to hold the grapple ended up out of alignment and I will need to enlarge the last hole (no big deal).

I made this with 3/8" steel, and 4" X 1/4" square.

Due to a last minute design change / flaw I have not had the opportunity to really use it. Need a friend to torch off the hydraulic mount as I made it too tall.

Next up, Hydraulic Post Hole Digger.

ponytug · Jun 24, 2011

Wow Carl, you are going to have those blackberries running scared. They'll just leap out of the ground and run next door.

Is the top recycled from your other grapple?

How much do you think that the whole enchilda weighs?

All the best,

Peter

vpd66 · Jun 24, 2011

Your grapple looks great, nice job. What make of tractor is that?

woodlandfarms · Jun 24, 2011

No clue on how much it weighs. I think given my HP Icould have done this at 3 or 3.5" instead of 4. it is way lighter than my bucket. Yeah, the top is a pull from the bucket I had Lackendar fab up. It is 1/2" and tubbed support.

The tractor is a Power Trac 1850. It is designed to work on severely steep slopes. Its a hard sell, but once you understand what a PT is about, you will have a hard time going back to a normal tractor. They do nothing fantastic, but the do pretty much everything good. Swiss army knife of machines.