Grapple Shop Built Grapple

[Lt220]

Anyone have any good pictures of their homemade Grapple attachment? I am wanting to build a quick attach bucket with a grapple for my JD 2320. Any pictures or suggestions will be great.

 

[kennyd]

Try searching the term "grapple" in the Build it Yourself Forum, There have been quite a few builds posted there over the years.

 

[Knight]

I attached the grapple to my loader arms so I could use it with the bucket or for logs with forks

 

[crazyal]

I thinking of making one. From what I've read the Gator is made from 3/8" steel with 1/4" wall tube. I haven't fount out what size cylinder they use but another brand uses a 2" bore and 8" stroke. I figure the stroke is kind of dependent on where you place the cylinder.

I haven't decided if I want to build an attachment that can mount to the bucket or if I'll go all out and make one that'll have tines that can be used for a root rake as well. If I do I'm thinking that I'll make it use the standard teeth that my Case backhoe uses. I do like the idea of being able to lift and carry logs, not sure of the bucket grapple would work well for that.

Once I get my plasma cutter I'll get more serious and start asking questions. The Gator has long straight lower tines that can be used to slide under brush or a log and then the grapple comes down on top of it. Other brands I've seen look more like a claw with both the upper and lower jaw curved. It looks like you would lift the loader up, open the jaw up, and then drop it down (think of one of those cranes used to pick up stuffed animals). I'm thinking the straight kind would be better for my needs but would love to here others opinions.

Then of course would be measurements, what size are the lower and upper pieces. Do they feel that are too long, too short, or just about right. Is 4' wide enough or is 5' a much better way to go. Should I put expanded metal on the back to keep brush from sticking into the radiator or is that not an issue.

I haven't done much searching yet to see what people have made because I really wanted to wait until next spring.

 

[Lt220]

I believe that my grapple bucket will probably be the same width as the bucket on my loader.....49". This seems to be a good size for my needs. I have been doing some research for several months and have collected a good number of pictures of different types of grapple buckets and grapple attachments for existing loader buckets. I am leaning toward making the grapple bucket with laser cut tines for the bottom. I still haven't decided what length that I want the tines to be. I don't want to make the bucket so big and heavy that I automatically loose lifting capacity due to the weight of the bucket.

 

[ecoslik]

crazyal,

Did you say, "once I get my plasma cutter"? May I ask what you bought or are planning to buy?

 

[Knight]

I made mine by trail and error. I used 1/2" and 1" pvc pipe with a bolt in the pivot point to determine stroke length and placement of the pivot points. I think I came up with 8". My grapple teeth are not as wide as the bucket. I use it for everything from large rocks to brush.
I even pick up my rake, box scraper, snow blade,etc and move them on and off my indoor shelving. No chains or getting off the tractor needed.
I don't see any reason to make them as wide as the bucket.

If the grapple arms stick out to far it will interfer with bucket digging near close objects/or self destruct because of pushing them into unseen objects. They don't have to stick out to far.
If doing it again, I would look into a light weight 4 in 1 bucket. Would it be possible to have an aluminun 4 in 1 bucket?

 

[Knight]

I wanted my grapple to be removeable, but I use it so much, that I just leave it on. I like the fact I can drop my quick attch bucket, put my forks on, then lift my 10' wide work platform, pinch it down with the grapple arms and hold it in place.
I also used electric over hydraulic to operate the grapple, since it was cleaner with just a switch on the dash.

 

[crazyal]

crazyal,

Did you say, "once I get my plasma cutter"? May I ask what you bought or are planning to buy?

I figure I'll try an Everlast PP60. I figure since Mark has been here he has shown he knows welding (not just a salesman) so I figure I'll give them a shot. Mark is hoping that early next week they will get a shipment in. I just can't justify the cost of something like a powerplasma65 (I think I could get by with a 45 but even that's about twice the cost) or a Cutmaster 52 for something that will only be used occasionally.

So I figure I'll need a project that will test it out, what better than cutting up a bunch of 3/8" plate.

 

[evo803]

I thinking of making one. From what I've read the Gator is made from 3/8" steel with 1/4" wall tube. I haven't fount out what size cylinder they use but another brand uses a 2" bore and 8" stroke. I figure the stroke is kind of dependent on where you place the cylinder.

I haven't decided if I want to build an attachment that can mount to the bucket or if I'll go all out and make one that'll have tines that can be used for a root rake as well. If I do I'm thinking that I'll make it use the standard teeth that my Case backhoe uses. I do like the idea of being able to lift and carry logs, not sure of the bucket grapple would work well for that.

Once I get my plasma cutter I'll get more serious and start asking questions. The Gator has long straight lower tines that can be used to slide under brush or a log and then the grapple comes down on top of it. Other brands I've seen look more like a claw with both the upper and lower jaw curved. It looks like you would lift the loader up, open the jaw up, and then drop it down (think of one of those cranes used to pick up stuffed animals). I'm thinking the straight kind would be better for my needs but would love to here others opinions.

Then of course would be measurements, what size are the lower and upper pieces. Do they feel that are too long, too short, or just about right. Is 4' wide enough or is 5' a much better way to go. Should I put expanded metal on the back to keep brush from sticking into the radiator or is that not an issue.

I haven't done much searching yet to see what people have made because I really wanted to wait until next spring.

What Plasma cutter did you get ? I bought one from Mark at Everlast and both the customer service and the unit itself has been amazing ! I am trying to make a homemade pantograph to aid in cutting out small parts and holes. It will use a wood template that I can make easily and then just mount in the machine and trace it by hand to reproduce the part in steel because I am no good at freehand cutting and trying to get an accurate hole otherwise has been an excercise in futility:mur: