Bolt on grapple

[Underdog57]

I just finished installing a Thumb on my forks;

 

[srs]

Underdog, I have a question for you. Where you mounted the base plate would it work out better for you if you moved it to the top horizontal piece? That way you would have a better extended length and the grapple would reach lower, also it wouldn't hit the frame of the forks. Just a thought, no criticism intended. Stanley

 

[Turbys_1700]

I just finished installing a Thumb on my forks;

View attachment 402985View attachment 402984

That is a nice set up you have there Underdog57...
Looks light and strong...

 

[Underdog57]

Underdog, I have a question for you. Where you mounted the base plate would it work out better for you if you moved it to the top horizontal piece? That way you would have a better extended length and the grapple would reach lower, also it wouldn't hit the frame of the forks. Just a thought, no criticism intended. Stanley

None taken .
My main concern was where the thumb was in the verticle position, I have a box/carryall/work platform that I use a lot, it is about 44" tall. I also like to push on trees with my fork frame, in fact I use the forks for practically everything I do and didn't want the thumbt to get in the way.

. And I wanted it to be up and out of the way. I figure I can always get some 3/8" steel and weld an extension on it if I really think I need it. In fact I'm already thinking about welding a second extension "tong" on the end of it!

 

[newbury]

OK. I hated them. Couldn't see through the bucket to get a good view of the "target" and if said target wasn't met squarely they would kick sideways without fail. And with them being so far out front of the pivot pins it decreased lift capacity too much for my liking. The only thing they were better than was no forks at all.
This was a set of Payne's 8 or 9 years ago. Maybe technology his improved on them, but I'll never know because I spent the money on a set of QA forks. First set was an old used set off Craigslist. After buying a skid steer, the current set is Bradco that was purchased new.

I've two pair of Titan's clamp on's. One w/ the brace. I agree w/ not seeing thru the bucket, I stand up for final "penetration" of a pallet or brush pile. I bought the brace to prevent "kicking sideways" but found that I rarely needed it. For moving lot's of brush I'd lay a tow chain or two on the ground, pile the brush across the chain, come in w/ the forks and bind it all up by wrapping the chain back around the bucket and brush pile.

A QA would be nice but the money saved was nicer.

 

[srs]

I have a box/carryall/work platform that I use a lot, it is about 44" tall.

Man you did a nice job on that box/carryall/work platform. Stanley

 

[Underdog57]

Man you did a nice job on that box/carryall/work platform. Stanley

Thanks, here is the thread;


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/302106-wife-lift-work-platform-build.html

 

[JJZ 109]

I've two pair of Titan's clamp on's. One w/ the brace. I agree w/ not seeing thru the bucket, I stand up for final "penetration" of a pallet or brush pile. I bought the brace to prevent "kicking sideways" but found that I rarely needed it. For moving lot's of brush I'd lay a tow chain or two on the ground, pile the brush across the chain, come in w/ the forks and bind it all up by wrapping the chain back around the bucket and brush pile.

A QA would be nice but the money saved was nicer.

Well, I wasn't going to post my experience, but the OP wanted to know. The makers apparently sell enough of the clamp ons to stay in business so someone has better experiences than I did.
No knock on folks that have them and like them. They weren't right for me so I went a different, albeit more expensive route. No complaints with my current setup.