Another Homemade Root Grapple !!

[deerhunterf350]

Finally got around to building a Grapple for the TC55. I looked around at many different types, before deciding on which design to go with. Decided to go with a "CLAM SHELL" design.

Here are a Few pics of the project just getting started. The cross tube is 3.5 Diameter 1/4" wall thickness, the teeth are 1/2" thick. All other steel is 3/8" thick. All welds are made with 7018 5/32" rod DC 200 amp welder.

 

[deerhunterf350]

Few more pics further along.

 

[deerhunterf350]

And a few more.

 

[J_J]

Finally got around to building a Grapple for the TC55. I looked around at many different types, before deciding on which design to go with. Decided to go with a "CLAM SHELL" design.

Here are a Few pics of the project just getting started. The cross tube is 3.5 Diameter 1/4" wall thickness, the teeth are 1/2" thick. All other steel is 3/8" thick. All welds are made with 7018 5/16" rod DC 200 amp welder.

deerhunterf350,

Those welds look nice. Much better than I with my shaky hands and poor eyesight.

 

[deerhunterf350]

The bite at full open is 91". I still have cross tubes and bars to weld into the upper jaw. This was a trail fit to make sure the Cylinder placement was correct.

 

[SuperDuty335]

That thing is big...real big.

 

[deerhunterf350]

Cylinders are 3" Dia , 8" stroke , 1.5" Rod.

To keep weight down and lift capacity at max for the TC55, I decided to only make it 4 foot wide. Thoughts were that 4' would grab hold of a big bite of brush.

 

[J_J]

The bite at full open is 91". I still have cross tubes and bars to weld into the upper jaw. This was a trail fit to make sure the Cylinder placement was correct.

If it were mine, I would turn those cylinders around, so you aren't dragging those hoses across anything. On most grapples, the rods extend, pushing the grapple down, and hoses stay in place.

 

[deerhunterf350]

If it were mine, I would turn those cylinders around, so you aren't dragging those hoses across anything. On most grapples, the rods extend, pushing the grapple down, and hoses stay in place.

I wanted the wiper seal of the cylinder facing downward so when the Grapple is open and being stored the Seal is not subjected to weather or sunlight.

When the upper jaw is completed there will be a plate that runs along the upper edge of the jaw protecting the hoses , fittings, and ram.

 

[bx24]

Man that thing is a beast. You have got some serious "squeezing power" goin on!

I say you sharpen the grapple arms and just slice up the stuff!

Nice job ....

 

[jimmysisson]

I like the big bite you can get - good for bushy tree limbs. I'd be concerned the arms would bend unless you are planning cross-bracing. It's funny how sideways things get even when you think you're biting evenly. I know the much shorter arms on my Millonzi are braced almost to the end, and they have bent a little. Admittedly, on rocks, not on brush, but logs slip and slide and push steel around.
Jim

 

[deerhunterf350]

I'd be concerned the arms would bend unless you are planning cross-bracing. It's funny how sideways things get even when you think you're biting evenly.
Jim

Yes there is going to be a lot of cross bracing added to the upper "BITE" jaw.

The attached photos were just to show the progress as it was being built.

This was a trail fit to check the Cylinder Geometry before adding the cross bracing.

 

[PineRidge]

I'm impressed. Kinda reminds me of a MAD MAX movie. Real mean lookin!

 

[deerhunterf350]

Had a chance to work more on the grapple this past weekend.

Added lateral tubes on the upper jaws for support. I still have plans to add 3/8" x 1.5" bar on the face of the jaws and a couple pieces between the Lat Tubes.

Here are some pics of the progress.

Dan.

 

[deerhunterf350]

Here is a shot fully open in upright position and a shot in the "BITE" position.


I measured it while open, and it has a whopping 91" open bite.

 

[deerhunterf350]

A shot of the first "VICTIM" .

My Uncle laughed and said it looked like I was carrying a ToothPick.

 

[deerhunterf350]

The Cylinders came with grease fittings installed. I had to make a Grease fitting for the pivot point on the Upper arms.

I tucked them back in a "Protected" area so hopefully no Brush will find them.


1st pic is the jaw closed .


2nd is the jaw open ready for a bite.

 

[deerhunterf350]

Paint will be coming soon.. I have yet to decide if I am going with NH BLUE Cylinders and Flat Black on the Grapple.

Or

Flat Black on everything ???

 

[MikeD74T]

Deerehunter, Nice job. I like the open toothed design, lets dirt & rocks drop out better than a bucket grapple & keeps logs closer to the loader arms -less stress on the roll cylinders. Also like the "tree getter" bracing between the teeth. I would take a grinder & undercut them a little for better grip. What's it weigh? MikeD74T

 

[deerhunterf350]

MikeD ,,

I have plans to bevel the "Tree Getter" supports.

As to the weight of the Grapple, that is a good ?? .

The cylinders combined weigh 49lbs , The teeth are 1/2" thick , the Lateral Tubes are 3.5" Dia 1/4" wall, all other steel is 3/8" thick.


I have to measure it up and calculate the Sq Ft of material used. I know that 1 Sq Ft of 1" in thick of mild steel weighs 40 lbs.

The next time I am at the property where the grapple is I will measure it up and calculate a rough weight of the completed project.