DIY Loader Grapple addon.

[RefineEdge]

Hi folks. First Post.<br>
Wanted to thank/payback all you members for sharing your ideas and expertise.<br>
This is a grapple I made and added to my loader bucket on my LS4145HC that I think will fill my needs nicely. Mostly grabbing brush and small logs. Also attached a 72 Piranha toothbar.<br>
Designed the grapple in a free online CAD program called Onshape. The Onshape public document is called " LS Loader Grapple - Version 4 " What I found really helpful was the assembly mode which allowed the mating of designed parts and overall movement of the resulting grapple. I started the whole process by taking a picture of the end side view of my loader imported the jpeg into Onshape and traced a vector which was then extruded to make the loader bucket in 3d. After the design was made in Onshape I cut a ¼ inch hardboard template of the grapple to make sure all parts would fit.<br>
Grapple tines are 3/8", hinges 3/4", hingebar 1 inch, 2X8 cyl. The hydraulics are connected through a Summit Hydraulics diverter in the bucket tilt line.<br>
Grapple vertical opening from loader lip is 44 inches, Grapple is 36" wide centered on 72" loader.<br><br>

 

[Xfaxman]

:welcome: to TractorByNet! :thumbsup:

Nice big opening on the grapple.

 

[redheelerdog]

Very nice grapple build. I really like the OnShape design and model, great idea. I need to check that program out, thanks for the info.

Nice machines you've got there. Show us some pics of the grapple in action mode!

 

[Smokeydog]

Very professional and well designed. As most folks learned the hard way is that some additional grill protection is helpful for grapple operations. Hate to see damage to that new tractor.

 

[davedj1]

Very nice! Be careful the top of the bucket doesn't start to bend.

 

[RefineEdge]

Very professional and well designed. As most folks learned the hard way is that some additional grill protection is helpful for grapple operations. Hate to see damage to that new tractor.

Thanks! Agree about more grill protection ... planning the next project.

 

[RefineEdge]

Very nice! Be careful the top of the bucket doesn't start to bend.

Thanks! I will be on the look out for any flexing as I work with it this Spring.

 

[Thood]

I need hydraulics added and don’t know how it’s high on the jd3038 at Deere place

 

[Jeepnford]

Thanks! I will be on the look out for any flexing as I work with it this Spring.

I built one and didn’t have problems bending the bucket but bent the grapple. Be careful clamping down.

 

[WranglerX]

Thought about something similar for my SCUT only maybe 2 teeth instead of four and maybe use linear actuator.... Maybe bolt on grapple arm in a way it could be changed out easily for different functions.... Thinking mostly for clamping brush/slash in bucket when clearing downed trees....Nothing really heavy...

Dale