Grapple Grapple research and tentative conclusion what may be best for me; what do YOU think?

[jmc]

Interesting thread.

Another thing about excessive grapple weight is that extra weight hanging way out beyond the wheelbase makes the tractor want to "gallop" at modest speed. (like you see when backhoes are trying to run on the highway) It only gets worse with a load in the grapple. Rear ballast doesn't eliminate it either, maybe since it's even more weight beyond the wheelbase. Loaded rear tires may help-I never tried it. My galloping tractor combo is a 43 HP Kubota L4330 with a skidsteer rated 66" WR Long grapple. They now offer a lighter one but mine is the heavy one. In back is either a medium weight 6 ft box blade or a 6 foot rotary cutter.

Question about the upper arm pivot points on some of these pictures- it looks like they are using a bolt for an axle. Has anyone checked to see if any of the frame is rotating on the threaded section of the bolt? Cheap enough to change the bolt eventually but if the holes go oblong...

Thanks,

John

 

[IslandTractor]

Question about the upper arm pivot points on some of these pictures- it looks like they are using a bolt for an axle. Has anyone checked to see if any of the frame is rotating on the threaded section of the bolt? Cheap enough to change the bolt eventually but if the holes go oblong...

Thanks,

John

My Millonzi has unlubricated threaded bolts as pivots for the grapple arm. I've removed them to check and after five years of moderate plus use there is no reason to replace them. Of course the contact point threads are gone but the bolts and the rest of the linkage are functionally fine. I'll check again in a few years.

 

[jmc]

My Millonzi has unlubricated threaded bolts as pivots for the grapple arm.

Is there a sleeve in there between the bolt and frame members? Seems like that would be a nice touch, if for nothing more than something for the retaining nut to securely bottom out on.

 

[IslandTractor]

Is there a sleeve in there between the bolt and frame members? Seems like that would be a nice touch, if for nothing more than something for the retaining nut to securely bottom out on.

No. It is the simplest possible hinge. Two 3/8 tabs on the frame connected by a good sized bolt to the grapple arm pinned in the slot. It ain't gonna win any engineering awards but it has been adequate.

With this type of grapple there isn't really a lot of wear at that hinge. In a days work it might open and close a hundred times but not usually under great pressure. Almost like a hinge on a cellar bulkhead.

 

[jmc]

It ain't gonna win any engineering awards but it has been adequate.

Maybe they should get an award for making it good enough for non-commercial use without undo expense! Resourcefulness should count for something. I'd like to see BigBoyinMS's pivots on his Katrina cleanup grapple.

Thanks,

John

 

[IslandTractor]

Maybe they should get an award for making it good enough for non-commercial use without undo expense! Resourcefulness should count for something.

Exactly. I figure the bolt is good for another 5 years and at that point, if necessary, I'll spend three bucks to replace the pair at Home Depot. Grapples don't need NASA grade engineering or materials. That's why I always advocate for mild steel construction. If it bends you heat it and bend it back. If you start with higher grade steel you potentially greatly complicate simple repairs down the road. It is also why I like the traditional grapple where gravity holds the load rather than the clamshell which relies completely on constant hydraulic pressure. KISS.

 

[dustinfox]

Dustin, have you gotten your grapple yet?

Update: I'm still trying to get an install date from my dealer for the auxiliary hookups. It has been three weeks since I asked, but he always seems to have something else going on.

I will report as soon as I have a chance to try out the grapple.

 

[whitedogone]

The wildkat grapple looks like a decent unit with the unknown status of Gator. I e-mailed them because I need one with JDQD mounts and wanted a 48". They replyed they only have the 60" and SS mounts.

 

[whitedogone]

Correction: Titan doesn't do the JDQD mounts. Wildkat will do either the JD 400 od 500 series QD for the same cost as the standard SSQD mounts :thumbsup:

 

[dustinfox]

Connie from Wildcat called me last night. They are going to ship me some shims to have welded on. :thumbsup: