Boom Grapple design

[Oasis]

Rained out_ had time to sketch some ideas.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this design.

Purpose:

This FEL attachment is for handling heavy rock. I often have to carefully place a few thousand pounds of rock per day, many weigh a couple hundred pounds (see photos). I also load rock onto a flat bed trailer at a local quarry. I currently use a FEL and tongs...

Design features:

Boom reaches about 8 feet for loading/placing individual rocks within typical reach requirements.

Boom length can be shortened for transport of tractor combo and for use in cramped workspace situations. Length can also be shortened for carrying maximum size rock.

Boom swing allows for some fine tune rock placement, and for situations where the tractor can only park parallel to the work. This allows rock (within weight limits) to be swung left or right of the tractor. The chain and holes/pin feature allows boom swing without risk of runaway. This could be important when working on non-level ground. Example: place pin as stop, release holding chain, swing boom to stop, reattach chain, place keeper pin.

Grapple grab is preferred front to back using single thumb to lessen interference with neighboring rock.

The grapple would operate on a solenoid valve hooked into the curl hydraulics using a momentary joystick switch. (JD 790/70 FEL)

This attachment could obviously be used for other things but my primary goal is for the type pf rockwork seen in the photos.

Spec suggestions, flaws, improvements, other designs?

I was considering some type of remote release that I could use while standing at the grapple.

Thanks again to all of you contributors out there, especially for your grapple threads.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Tske a look at the EZ spotter line of grapples they have something similar. Actually have 2 different types of grapples like yours. Im wanting to build the smaller version right now for a few jobs I have later on. and Also look at Ryan grapples I want one of those tol I like the aggresiveness of your design to looks like it will be good for rock placement and demo work to.

 

[MJPetersen]

Very nice sketches! You are an artist in another life? It seems to me that you are putting a lot of weight a long ways ahead of tractor. What you really need is a bh with a thumb. That makes short work of placing stones.

Mike

 

[DraftHorse]

This is something that might work for you or at least give you some more food for thought.

Brave Grapple for Skid Steer Loader, Model# SL-O3 | Skid-Steers + Attachments | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[DraftHorse]

Or this

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[Oasis]

Ya something like this would work ok on a boom or bh.
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Still, I think a three finger grip is best for handling irregular rocks. The links provided some helpful specs.

I'll run some reach/weight tests

Thanks guys

 

[JoelD]

Agree with the backhoe with thumb, I use mine all the time for rock placements and log lift and cut, etc.

I realize that is not the point of your question. But other than an excavator with thumb a backhoe with thumb is about the best way I've seen to place stone.

I'd expect if you stay under 400-500 lbs that the grapple should work, amazing how quickly you can run out of lifting power when you put the weight out in front of the tractor. Not to mention you'll need plenty of counter weight.

The positive on the bucket grapple is you can cover more ground quickly while carrying the rocks.

Joel