Grapple

IslandTractor · Mar 10, 2016

Just remember the TBN grappling rules guys: 1) Any grapple is better than no grapple. 2) Everybody loves whatever grapple they have (and thinks it is better than any other).

Keep net lift capacity in mind, especially with the smaller PTs. I have lots of grapple experience with a CK20 and DK40se with a standard root grapple but I'd probably opt for the bucket grapple if I had a PT.

MossRoad · Mar 10, 2016

Just one finger on for a grapple on the pallet forks would be plenty for me. Just something to clamp down on a pile of brush while pushing it around the property. The geometry to get it to open and close without binding is the hard part. I second the idea of cardboard or wooden mock-up before purchasing anything to check for binding and dimensions, length of throw, length of cylinder, etc...

coolconnection · Mar 12, 2016

MossRoad said:
Just one finger on for a grapple on the pallet forks would be plenty for me. Just something to clamp down on a pile of brush while pushing it around the property. The geometry to get it to open and close without binding is the hard part. I second the idea of cardboard or wooden mock-up before purchasing anything to check for binding and dimensions, length of throw, length of cylinder, etc...

Kind of what I am looking at. But found the 'THUMB' add on grapple which kind of looks really functional. I would draw it all up in 3D cad before I did anything. Engineers rule- Fit, Form, Function.

mkr7734 · Mar 12, 2016

coolconnection said:
Kind of what I am looking at. But found the 'THUMB' add on grapple which kind of looks really functional. I would draw it all up in 3D cad before I did anything. Engineers rule- Fit, Form, Function.

And if you work and look at it long enough you can make the simplest jobs hard. :shocked:

cqaigy2 · Mar 13, 2016

mkr7734 said:
And if you work and look at it long enough you can make the simplest jobs hard. :shocked:

But experience tells you that those who don't study even the simplest jobs, typically make all jobs hard. :laughing:

MossRoad · Mar 13, 2016

I'm kind of a measure twice, cut it wrong anyway type of guy....

Barryh · Mar 14, 2016

Here is the electric one I made when I had my PT-180. I still have the parts sitting in my shed. I've been thinking about using them on my 1425 hooking it all back up.

It was a little slow as it was a screw type but not as bad as you might think.. It worked great picking up just about anything.. I know you hydraulic guys don't think much of an electric actuator grapple.. But it proved it's self to me and was very handy around the house. It had quite a bit of jaw pressure plenty to pick up large rocks tree stumps as you see in the pictures.

It was asked previously if It needed the hydraulic's on the bucket to clamp down on a heavy object. The answer is no it had enough power to do it all on it's own.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...rs-home-made-attachments-improvements-17.html

If you look back a few pages it shows how I put it together.

downsizingnow48 · Mar 14, 2016

Barryh said:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...rs-home-made-attachments-improvements-17.html

If you look back a few pages it shows how I put it together.

Very interesting and useful thread, thanks!