Grapple fabrication Started

   / Grapple fabrication Started
  • Thread Starter
#11  
IMG_0527.JPGIMG_0528.JPGIMG_0525.JPGIMG_0521.JPGIMG_0520.JPG
 
   / Grapple fabrication Started #12  
Looking good! How much did you end spending on it?
 
   / Grapple fabrication Started
  • Thread Starter
#13  
Looking good! How much did you end spending on it?
I do not have a BOL yet.

But in general what I bought:
$0 100 hours in CAD :) (winter hours nothing else to do :)
$408 [1] 4x8 x 1/4" sheet of AR400 , I used almost all of it
$190 on 24' of 3"x1/4" square tube but I used only 6' out of 24' (for the top tube
$52 on 21' of 1"sch40 pipe, but I used only 9' (the solid pins fit perfectly inside that pipe with minimal play)
$31 on 20' of 1" Hot Rolled solid round, but I used only 3' (for solid pins)
$147 on 4x8x3/16" sheet but i used on the grapple only 1/3 of it, maybe less. Its for the plates on the lids, for cylinder protection and bracing. (In the pics I have not welded the bottom parts yet)
$100 (estimate, cannot find the bill) on 24' of 3" x 1/8" square tube (for the bottom)
$150 for 2 cylinders 2"x 6" (shipping included)
$140 for the hydraulic hoses-adapters-TEE's etc, (hoses are CHEAP for surplus center on the pre-made lengths) I was quoted about $450 on NAPA....
$1700 to build the CNC Plasma cutter and upgrade my air supply system!!! (but I could get away with $300 cutting fee and avoid that cost)
$50 in consumables (1st time plasma user, I wasted a lot due to lack of experience, and dry air!)
$30 in color/primer (with air compressor), if you buy the spray bottles it will cost 3x times that.
I do not recall how much welding wire.

EDIT: 2" x 3/8" flat bar for the mounting (SSQA style). It does not cost more than $40

A lot of frustration because of a design fault. that ruined the whole upper section. See the pictureIMG_0505.JPG. I had used to go cheap with 1/8" square tubing even though the computer analysis shown that it will break. To fix it I used 1/4" thick sq.tube, with extra 1/4" AR400 plate on top. The point of failure is where the base of the cylinder mount is welded at the top square tubing.


Dont give me the sum, I do not want to know it! :) But it sure worth it. Now I have an order for that grapple that I can build for a lot cheaper, (I already have the tubes) and I already have the CNC plasma.
And I feel cooooool!! Its my baby man! My very first one fabricated baby :)
 
   / Grapple fabrication Started #14  
Dont give me the sum, I do not want to know it! :)

I'll give you a hint...your total is within about $200 of the new grapple you quoted in your first post for this project ;)

It's all good though, I applaud your effort and seeing it through to the end. Looks like it works well and the feeling you get knowing you built it yourself is priceless.
 
   / Grapple fabrication Started
  • Thread Starter
#15  
I'll give you a hint...your total is within about $200 of the new grapple you quoted in your first post for this project ;)

It's all good though, I applaud your effort and seeing it through to the end. Looks like it works well and the feeling you get knowing you built it yourself is priceless.

hahaha! But I already have an order to fabricate 1 more grapple, that will almost offset all my expenses (except the cnc plasma). And as soon as I make some pics/materials I can advertise it. I think its good side money and the customization is another plus ;)

The huge gain in money is going to be the firewood processor though. Almost all hydraulics and steel is less than $4000 comparing to $20000+ of a new machine
 
   / Grapple fabrication Started #16  
hahaha! But I already have an order to fabricate 1 more grapple, that will almost offset all my expenses (except the cnc plasma). And as soon as I make some pics/materials I can advertise it. I think its good side money and the customization is another plus ;)

The huge gain in money is going to be the firewood processor though. Almost all hydraulics and steel is less than $4000 comparing to $20000+ of a new machine

Excellent. Recover your investment! Nice.
 
   / Grapple fabrication Started #17  
CNC would be nice. I drew my design and transferred to 1/4" plywood templates for plasma cutting. Soaked plywood in water and they lasted for multiple cuts. I used 3/8" scrap plate. Has held up picking up large logs etc. Still not too heavy for the tractor and the teeth do take some abuse. Do you have a jaw opening measurement?
 
   / Grapple fabrication Started
  • Thread Starter
#18  
CNC would be nice. I drew my design and transferred to 1/4" plywood templates for plasma cutting. Soaked plywood in water and they lasted for multiple cuts. I used 3/8" scrap plate. Has held up picking up large logs etc. Still not too heavy for the tractor and the teeth do take some abuse. Do you have a jaw opening measurement?
The latest revision is a little over 35" (inside measurements), It was more but I decided to shorten it. As I am using it now, I consider shortening the tines and the lids Which will give a little less opening too. The reason is that the lids are closed and I am moving logs they "play" a lot, inside the grapple (if its a few of them you cannot pinch them all), and I see that I do not often fill all that length with brush. Its personal preference as it is an all around use grapple though.

Where I am satisfied it the 1/4" thickness of the AR400. Almost everybody suggested to not go less than 3/8". Which may be a good advice for stronger tractors.

Anyway here are some videos guys (11 of them). I did not had a balast when I was shooting a few of them thats why I cannot lift the white ash log. The big pine log limits my lifting capacity. Not bad.
Grapple Videos - YouTube
 

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