Loader New Grapple Build! Let me know what you think

[slharman1]

Siharman1

Your Grapple build reminds me of when I built my own rifle. I did it just to do it, but would never do it again. I'd buy the gun or have one made to my specs.

I built my own gizmos, not as difficult probably as a complete grapple, but still a lot of fab & design work for one offs., only because there was nothing like it I could purchase. I admit Solidworks is a lot of fun. You must have learned a lot designing the grapple, I hope your are a better welder than I am!
I admire your ambition, but in my old age, I sure try to do only the stuff I can't readily or economically have done for me.
Here is some of my stuff.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/327912-custom-3-point-attachment-2-a.html?highlight=
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/372240-3pt-stuff-your-loader.html?highlight=
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/374740-my-wife-wants-gazebo-help.html?highlight=
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...d-hydraulic-clyinders-loaders.html?highlight=

Heard that, the older I get the harder it is to get something built (at least on any time schedule)
I really like the Gazebo, I'll have to show that to my wife! - hold on...she will prolly want one if I do that .....hmmmm
Nice Job!

 

[Snowback]

Snowback,

I measured it and from the center of the pin hole on the 3ph it is 6 1/2" overall to the back far edge of the hitch.
I got the hitch by the way at Harbor Freight - if you want one they have two more at the Jersey Village location.
The manager told me they are discontinuing them so if you want one of theirs you might want to jump on it.
$86 and some change with the 20% coupon which i got on there site with my phone right in the check-out line.
The only thing I see different from the others I have looked at is the tabs that hold the implement in the lower hooks is a bit thinner but looks substantial enough at 3/8" thick, at least for our tractors.

Hope it fits the shed because I really like the idea of not getting off the tractor to hook up - at least not until I have to hook up the PTO on something.

Thanks for that info.

I have 8" of space to close the doors right now, so unless I do some grapple yoga, it will be tight. I too am considering the HF and then getting a top hook that protrudes another inch or so. That would occupy even more space, so I'll be fully utilizing all available space. (Perhaps if lifted to full height that will pull that top hook in. If not the HF unit, then I also like the Agri Supply or Ranch Ex as they seem to come with the longer top hook as well. If you find you need extra some space up top on yours, you might try this extended hook here: 873-HF141137 TOP HOOK FOR CAT 1 QUICK HITCH S141137 - Quality Farm Supply - Farm equipment, tractor parts, agricultural supplies

Credit to all the prior TBN'rs who have gone before us and figured all this out!

 

[IslandTractor]

Not sure if you've already considered that parking with the grapple in full dump position saves a foot or so of space.

 

[Snowback]

Not sure if you've already considered that parking with the grapple in full dump position saves a foot or so of space.

Indeed - great point. Thanks for sharing. I am thinking about it, and that was what I referred to by "Grapple Yoga". My challenge is that I already have a four foot loft in the front of the 16' shed. It has supports going down to the floor so I can't run the loader up to the front without raising it up high to go over the sheeting.

I currently rest the grapple in the top of the loft with the front lid just touching the front wall. I have about a foot and a half more to work with height wise, so I can raise the loader a bit more and start to move it into the dump position to probably pick up a few more inches as you suggest with the dump maneuver. That should do the trick just fine. Not a bit of space wasted in the current setup!

 

[slharman1]

Thanks for that info.

I have 8" of space to close the doors right now, so unless I do some grapple yoga, it will be tight. I too am considering the HF and then getting a top hook that protrudes another inch or so. That would occupy even more space, so I'll be fully utilizing all available space. (Perhaps if lifted to full height that will pull that top hook in. If not the HF unit, then I also like the Agri Supply or Ranch Ex as they seem to come with the longer top hook as well. If you find you need extra some space up top on yours, you might try this extended hook here: 873-HF141137 TOP HOOK FOR CAT 1 QUICK HITCH S141137 - Quality Farm Supply - Farm equipment, tractor parts, agricultural supplies

Credit to all the prior TBN'rs who have gone before us and figured all this out!

So far I haven't needed the extra long hook as I modified my implements to work with the stock setup, but I still have 4 implements to go.
I have been looking at the other hook as well.
I really like the HF Quick Attach, but I did drill out the two bolt holes that hold the hook and put some hitch pins in there for quick adjustment.
It is nice to be able to back up, hook up, and drive off.
Good Luck with the shed, I still think you need a good 40 x 60 machinery barn to put everything in! :cool2:

 

[Sysop]

Good Luck with the shed, I still think you need a good 40 x 60 machinery barn to put everything in! :cool2:

35x50 will do, if all it will do is store machines.

 

[slharman1]

Ok so I got bored waiting for my hydraulic parts to get in.
I decided to add lights to my ROPS. Just got them finished, tomorrow I will take some pics of the install.

 

[slharman1]

Oh Yea, I almost forgot - got all my parts in for the hydraulics on my grapple so we should be able to wrap up this build tomorrow or at least by the weekend!
Can't wait, stay tuned for the finale!

 

[slharman1]

Ok got some more work done.
Hydraulics on, valve on, handle with 3rd function on:



Coming along nicely!

 

[slharman1]

Finally done!


I was trying to upload a video but can't figure out how to do it.

This has been a fun build and I want to express my thanks to everyone that offered suggestions and advice.
I appreciate you all!
Some of the advice I took, some I didn't, and some I wish I would have! and of course some posted too late during the build for me to modify, but I am truly grateful for everyone's comments.
Thanks again and if your planning on building one, let me know!
slharman1