3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader?

[sd455dan]

Even the Chinese have learned a bit about metallurgy in 123 years.

What is that video supposed to prove? And no...I didn't (and probably won't) watch it.

Just that Good quality steel is Good quality steel especially after it is forged. Most quality hammers can be drop forged 1045, 4140, 4340 steels.
cheap import hammers may even be low grade cast steel.

I am pretty sure the Titan backhoe thumb is not any of the above quality steels mentioned, but is 'thick" enough to do the job it is intended for, but that makes it heavier than it needs to be. The video shows the old hammer withstanding 80,000lb of force with no distortion or deformation whatsoever. The New import sledge hammer completely deformed and crushed the pass through for the wood handle.

But just looking at the two gives no indication of the actual quality. When they finished compressing the cheap import and all the paint flaked off metal looked like it could have lead or even zinc in it.

I bought the Titan thumb for $300 and think it was a bargain, because it will get the job done, but a thumb made from say AR 400 or other stronger steel would have been better and would not need the pivot pin holes reinforced with end caps to slow the wear which is what I will be doing if the Titan continues to egg out.

So there is a reason it was a bargain price. Heck my tractor IS Chinese and it keeps going. Year 32 coming Up.

 

[Mud2Money]

Get yourself an HLA catalog, or go to HLA on line. Canada or US made.
Very tough stuff. I swear by their attachments, not at them. Found at AG dealers all over.

Buy once, cry once.

View attachment 1316701

What is that ? I have those same forks and just noticed the extra hole by the chain pocket and wondered what went there. You just solved that curiosity.

 

[oosik]

Consider this. The lift specs are rated at the pivot pins. Unless you hang a chain down from these pins - the amount you will be lifting is some distance forward of those pins. Based upon the type implement attached to the FEL.

Usually 18 inches, 24 inches or more. You will DEFINITELY not be able to lift what the specs say - at any of those distances forward of the pins.

Two factors limit the amount you can lift. How far forward of these pins is the actual load and how high in the air the load is lifted.

My FEL OP manual lists max lift weight forward of the pins and from the ground to max lift height. And at specified distances forward of the pivot pins. It is shown in graph form. So it's easy to extrapolate different distances forward of the pins and different heights. The FEL also has a power setting and a max lift height setting. This is the type of data you want to base your decisions on

 

[oosik]

Most of the work I do with my grapple - moving large chunks of pine tree trunk and large rocks. I have obtained and faithfully use two weight charts I got off the internet.

Weight of basaltic lava rocks and weight of pine logs. Helps keep me out of trouble.

I do not like that feeling - when the rear tires begin to lift - rather than the load in the grapple.

 

[4570Man]

Consider this. The lift specs are rated at the pivot pins. Unless you hang a chain down from these pins - the amount you will be lifting is some distance forward of those pins. Based upon the type implement attached to the FEL.

Usually 18 inches, 24 inches or more. You will DEFINITELY not be able to lift what the specs say - at any of those distances forward of the pins.

Two factors limit the amount you can lift. How far forward of these pins is the actual load and how high in the air the load is lifted.

My FEL OP manual lists max lift weight forward of the pins and from the ground to max lift height. And at specified distances forward of the pivot pins. It is shown in graph form. So it's easy to extrapolate different distances forward of the pins and different heights. The FEL also has a power setting and a max lift height setting. This is the type of data you want to base your decisions on

That true but 4,000 pound rated pallet forks aren’t rated to lift 4,000 pounds from the tips either.

 

[oosik]

That true but 4,000 pound rated pallet forks aren’t rated to lift 4,000 pounds from the tips either.

I wonder where the rating on those pallet forks is at. Most likely right where they attach to the FEL. If the 4000 pound rating WAS at the tips - the rating at the FEL attachment would be significantly higher.

 

[Smokeydog]

4k# range you need skid steer quality Don’t need a wide grapple. 6’ max.

30years old grapple, used on one skidsteer and two tractors still going strong. Kubota soft ride system sure makes carrying heavy loads smooth.