MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 60,219
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
OK. I'm too cheap to buy the PT grapple bucket. However, I'm not too cheap to build my own /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Here's what I have planned.
I will build the grapple out of 2 inch wide by 1/2 inch thick steel. I'll put two next to each other about 2 inches apart, on edge. Then I'll put one on each side near the width of the small bucket. I'll put one more between the center ones and the outside ones. I'll connect them all by running 1/2 inch threaded rod through holes that I'll drill every so often(haven't decided yet) and bolt them into place. Taht way I can fudge the spacing until it works properly. Probably 3 or four rods. I'll use CAT2 pins to hold it into CAT2 3pt hitch ends welded to the bucket and secure it with lynch pins, which will make it removable.
For the hydraulics, I'll use a cylinder with an 8 inch throw. It should give me about a 90 degree opening to the bucket. I still need to figure out how to attach the cylinder to the bucket and grapple. Might use 3pt ends and pins for that as well.
As for the fingers or teeth, I'll experiment with different lenghts of 1 inch by 1/2 inch steel. I'm still putting it together in my head, but have purchased some parts from TSC today.
Two each of 3pt ends, pins, bushings and lynch pins for $37.00. If I plan it correctly, I'll be able to get away with under $200.00. Also, with a little planning and some extra 3pt ends, I'll be able to use it on either the big or small bucket.
Any pictures or links to any existing grappels on buckets of any brand would be appreciated.
I'll make a drawing later in the week and post it as I go.
So what do you think? Can we do it?
Here's what I have planned.
I will build the grapple out of 2 inch wide by 1/2 inch thick steel. I'll put two next to each other about 2 inches apart, on edge. Then I'll put one on each side near the width of the small bucket. I'll put one more between the center ones and the outside ones. I'll connect them all by running 1/2 inch threaded rod through holes that I'll drill every so often(haven't decided yet) and bolt them into place. Taht way I can fudge the spacing until it works properly. Probably 3 or four rods. I'll use CAT2 pins to hold it into CAT2 3pt hitch ends welded to the bucket and secure it with lynch pins, which will make it removable.
For the hydraulics, I'll use a cylinder with an 8 inch throw. It should give me about a 90 degree opening to the bucket. I still need to figure out how to attach the cylinder to the bucket and grapple. Might use 3pt ends and pins for that as well.
As for the fingers or teeth, I'll experiment with different lenghts of 1 inch by 1/2 inch steel. I'm still putting it together in my head, but have purchased some parts from TSC today.
Two each of 3pt ends, pins, bushings and lynch pins for $37.00. If I plan it correctly, I'll be able to get away with under $200.00. Also, with a little planning and some extra 3pt ends, I'll be able to use it on either the big or small bucket.
Any pictures or links to any existing grappels on buckets of any brand would be appreciated.
I'll make a drawing later in the week and post it as I go.
So what do you think? Can we do it?