Another DIY Grapple

[IvanS]

sittinstill, an added benefit of constructing the grapple "clamp" the way I did is that the tube at the hinge point works as a torque tube. If you clamp something of irregular shape the tube will resist the twisting force much better than two separate hinge points.

BTW, there is also another torque tube at the top of the front plate. Welds are placed on the arms to take advantage of the tubes resistance to twist.

 

[sittinstill]

Great point. I am definitely going to use this setup.
Great idea, you dont know howw much time and labor you saved me by posting that.
thanks

 

[IvanS]

Made some more progress yesterday

Added some reinforcement to the clamp portion of the grapple and some expanded metal to the back to protect the radiator. Here are a couple of pictures with it mounted to the tractor.

On another note; I tried to order a quart of Kubota Orange paint from my local dealer on Friday and they informed me they could not order the paint for me as they have lost their franchise . Tried the next closest dealer and they said I had to order a case to get it . Looks like I will be getting my paint on line.

 

[ovrszd]

Re: Made some more progress yesterday

I get Kubota paint equivalent thru my local Orscheln store. It's Van Sickle brand paint. Very good quality. Check out whatever Tractor Supply type store you have locally and see what they stock.

 

[Dr Dave]

Very nice build, If you have a local auto parts store, that sells automotive paint, most have a scanner to match paint color. Take an orange part with you, and have it scanned. You can also get touch up botles and spray cans, for touch up repairs, cheaper to do this all at the same time.

Dave

 

[dstig1]

I used the Van Sickle (quarts) with the Valspar hardener on my snow plow build. It is better than the same stuff in the rattle cans, but I still felt it was thin and didn't cover all that well. It did seem to dry hard enough to hold up with the hardener added. Touch ups with a spray can were notably softer. I get it at Fleet Farm (all over the place around here). They mostly have Valspar paint, but the Kubota Orange is the only Van Sickle in the section for some reason...

 

[IvanS]

We have a local place that does a lot of powder coating, I called Friday for a quote but they did not respond. I know it's over kill to powder coat but if the price is right it will save me some hours of prep and paint that I can devote to something else - like the porch on the house that I started 2 months ago Our local Tractor Supply only has the Majic pint line now, Valspar is what they used to carry but not any longer. They only have Kubota Orange in gallons too, I would never use that much in a life time.

 

[94BULLITT]

We have a local place that does a lot of powder coating, I called Friday for a quote but they did not respond.

When I bought my tractors I told the dealer I wanted a quart of paint. He had to order a case, 4 quarts. I ended up buying 2 quarts when it came in.

Sounds like my luck I called and emailed 2 places pictures of the grapple, I still have not heard anything:laughing:

Maybe powder coaters are scared of grapples:confused3::laughing:

 

[stub]

Clean looking build !!! Your bottom part is very similar to the grapple I'm building. Your top is much more elegant than mine.

I'm wondering about removing the mill scale before painting or just leaving it. Would be a lot of work to get it off completely. What are you gonna do?

 

[L355SS]

Re: Made some more progress yesterday

Just a concern,
The attaching point of the cylinder nearest the tractor needs more reinforcement/stiffening of the tubing to prevent twisting there. I did a similar build using a 1/2 X 4 angle iron in place of the tubing. First time I grabbed a full load it bent. Use it gently first to determine its capabilities then add any reinforcements.
Dennis

Added some reinforcement to the clamp portion of the grapple and some expanded metal to the back to protect the radiator. Here are a couple of pictures with it mounted to the tractor.

On another note; I tried to order a quart of Kubota Orange paint from my local dealer on Friday and they informed me they could not order the paint for me as they have lost their franchise . Tried the next closest dealer and they said I had to order a case to get it . Looks like I will be getting my paint on line.

 

[ovrszd]

Re: Made some more progress yesterday

Yeah, there are stresses that I wasn't capable of predicting when I built mine. After a day of hard use, they'll all show up. I added reinforcements a couple times on mine until I got it stable and my claw is a lot more trussed and braced than this one. Not slamming or taking digs at all. Just passing on experience.

 

[IvanS]

Re: Made some more progress yesterday

Just a concern,
The attaching point of the cylinder nearest the tractor needs more reinforcement/stiffening of the tubing to prevent twisting there. I did a similar build using a 1/2 X 4 angle iron in place of the tubing. First time I grabbed a full load it bent. Use it gently first to determine its capabilities then add any reinforcements.
Dennis

I will take that under consideration when first using it, thank you. I may add some reinforcement now just to reduce the chances of twisting.

 

[stowester]

Re: Made some more progress yesterday

I used rustoleum paint on mine applied with a HVLP sprayer. I added black to machinery grey until it matched the Kubota grey. After almost 5 years I'm still happy with the result.


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...y-tbn-inspired-grapple-bucket-project-006.jpg

 

[IvanS]

Re: Made some more progress yesterday

Wow, it looks like I copied your design more than I realized - nice job BTW. I contacted a local automotive paint supplier today and he assured me he can match the Kubota Orange. We are a bit of rural area and I'll bet this is not his first request to match that color.

 

[me146]

I bet you might be able to buy kubota Orange off the shelf at tractor supply. I can check gallatin tomorrow, there's a ratchet wrench they have I've been wanting to get anyways

 

[me146]

Nice build by the way... Who did you buy materials from? I can make your hoses. The shop I work at is in gallatin, some of the guys at work live in Lebanon.

 

[IvanS]

I bet you might be able to buy kubota Orange off the shelf at tractor supply. I can check gallatin tomorrow, there's a ratchet wrench they have I've been wanting to get anyways

Yes, Tractor Supply does have it, but only in Gallons in Lebanon. I got a quart from the local automotive paint supplier yesterday. We'll see how close it matches this weekend. I might be interested in talking to you about the hoses.

 

[IvanS]

Nice build by the way... Who did you buy materials from? I can make your hoses. The shop I work at is in gallatin, some of the guys at work live in Lebanon.

I got most of the steel at Besco Steel in Nashville, I had the water jet cutting done in Franklin, Ky - right up the road from Gallatin.

 

[IvanS]

Quick update - I dropped off the grapple this morning for sand blasting - $65 seems cheap compared to the time it would take me to clean/sand/prep for paint. The guys doing the sand blasting also do powder coating; he quoted $200-$250 to do that. Interestingly he recommended against powder coat, said it would be easier to touch up down the line with paint, harder to do with powder coating.

I'm not to worried either way, I expect it will get torn up pretty good with the duty I expect it to see. I'm hoping that we get decent weather this weekend so I can paint it. Got all my hydraulic fittings, made a mount for the diverter valve and quick disconnects. I will get the hoses after painting is complete and all parts assembled.

I added more gusseting to the cylinder mount on the frame per recommendations here - we'll hope it all holds together.

 

[ovrszd]

The guys doing the sand blasting also do powder coating; he quoted $200-$250 to do that. Interestingly he recommended against powder coat, said it would be easier to touch up down the line with paint, harder to do with powder coating.

Wow, that's surprising and encouraging. Most shops want to sell you the Powder Coating as being superior and the way to go. You have a good shop to suggest paint rather than powder coating. He's telling it like it is. :thumbsup: