Loader New Grapple Build! Let me know what you think

[EddieWalker]

Since weight is always a consideration, I would eliminate every other bottom bar. I've also found that the farther the bottom bars stick out past the bracing, the easier they are to bend.

What is the flat material on your lid going to be and why do you need it?

What is your bracing going to be between the bottom bars?

What type of metal are you going to use and what thickness will it be?

 

[slharman1]

Since weight is always a consideration, I would eliminate every other bottom bar. I've also found that the farther the bottom bars stick out past the bracing, the easier they are to bend.

What is the flat material on your lid going to be and why do you need it?

What is your bracing going to be between the bottom bars?

What type of metal are you going to use and what thickness will it be?

The flat material on the lid is 1/4" and it is there to keep the two upper tines square and protect the cylinder.
bracing between the bottom tines is 1" rod, thinking about changing to 2" pipe

The tines are 3/8" right now but I am thinking about changing to Hardvox steel and making them 5/16" or possible 1/4"

Right now my bottom tines are 9" on center. I was thinking while grabbing debris and brush they should be closer so I don't drop so much through them.

The 1" rod is 7" from the front of the tines.

 

[slharman1]

One more thing - do I want my upper tines to be able to close past the lower ones?

 

[slharman1]

Thanks for all the help!

MossRoad:
Thanks for the link to the Metal Store, I will check them out and see if I want to build my own bushing or by some.

jb1390:
I really appreciate all of the suggestions, here is some more information:

1. I haven't modeled the ss adapter yet but I will build it as well. The back of the grapple frame is approx 19 1/4" so I could move the bottom frame up a bit and round the corner or remove some more metal on the bottom of the tines - is this what you are referring to?

2. The holes are for weight savings, I will probably make them bigger, my tines are 3" tall, what size holes do you think I can get away with?

3. My tractor adapter plate is vertical when tilted all the way up. My design is titled at 80 degrees right now. Some of the grapples I looked at were tilted at 75 degrees. So I will do that. do you think that is sufficient?

4. My tines are currently 3/8" thick, I was planning on changing them to 3/8" and using Hardvox - didn't know the name but I was researching steel strength and found some stuff while at work, don't remember the name of it but it used for building excavator implements and such. If I use that do you think I can really get away with 1/4" instead of 5/16"?

5. I know is sounds lazy but I had the 1" pipe already modeled, I was planning on using 1" bar - do you think I should use a 2" pipe instead?

6.I will be using it to move logs, brush and debris, loading it in trailers or to the burn pile. In addition, I will be using it for help with stump removal. Right now the back side of the upper front tine is 1 3/8" from the leading edge of the lower tines. will this be ok for my use?

7. I will probably make my bushing with some DOM tubing like MossRoad suggested if the fit to the pin is tight, i think I want them removable but now I am questioning the necessity of that. I am not sure I need them removable now.

8. for third function I was planning on going over to Hyvair since they are about 5 min. from the house and see if I can talk them out of a valve. I would then either buy my loader handle or make that as well. I don't think I like the scorpion handle as much as the one from WR Long. still thinking about it.

I am using Solidworks but I only have about 9 months experience on it so I am not sure how to do the analysis - any help with that would be appreciated as well.
My model is 54" long and without the ss adapter on it I am right around 275 so I would like to take a little more weight out since I am putting it on a Mahindra 2538.
I can send you the model if you have solidworks 2016.

Thanks again for all the help!
Let me know what you think.
I will modify the model and upload again hopefully today.
slharman1

 

[4570Man]

One more thing - do I want my upper tines to be able to close past the lower ones?

I would rather the tines meet the bottom on a sharpened edge several inches wide so I could clamp on small saplings. The way my grapple is configured it takes about an 8" log before I can securely clamp it. That picture was testing my at that time newly installed teeth. If I was really trying to clamp the log I would put it inside the grapple with it centered between the V of the lid.

 

[SC2555HST]

I didn't see where the op mentioned using a grapple to place the stones in a wall, but if that was the intended use I'd scrap it in favor of this design.View attachment 499186

What type of expo or show was this pic taken at? Looks like fun.

 

[4570Man]

What type of expo or show was this pic taken at? Looks like fun.

The National Farm Machinery Show that was in Louisville KY this week.

 

[slharman1]

Also,
If my cylinder does not use the full stroke do i need to put a stop on my grapple?

 

[4570Man]

I wouldn't.

 

[slharman1]

Thanks