Brush Grapple

[abunchofidiots]

After looking at the prices and heavy weight of brush grapples, I decided to make one that slides onto a quick attach plate just like pallet forks. The entire cost with disposables is still under $300. The weight is still light enough to not effect the lift capacity of a smaller tractor. It can also scale up to two grapples for one on each side of the frame.

 

[saint18z]

That looks pretty slick. I have been thinking about building something similar. Let us know how it works!

 

[ovrszd]

Don't be shy about bracing. I'm concerned about the claw's ability to withstand the forces applied by the cylinder.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product!!!!

 

[4570Man]

Don't be shy about bracing. I'm concerned about the claw's ability to withstand the forces applied by the cylinder.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product!!!!

Yes it needs some pretty serious bracing. It would have been better to be wider so it could be braced better.

 

[abunchofidiots]

Yes it needs some pretty serious bracing. It would have been better to be wider so it could be braced better.

Wider would defeat the requirements of light weight, and quick attack pallet fork style. I'm also not sure how it being wider would allow for more bracing. There are fish plates at the joints where the 22.5 degree change takes place, not show in the pictures. That area may need made need reinforcement to distribute load away from the weld joint.

 

[4570Man]

Wider would defeat the requirements of light weight, and quick attack pallet fork style. I'm also not sure how it being wider would allow for more bracing. There are fish plates at the joints where the 22.5 degree change takes place, not show in the pictures. That area may need made need reinforcement to distribute load away from the weld joint.

Being twice as wide as it currently is would have very little affect on weight. Being twice as wide would give it a lot more ability to withstand racking sideways.

 

[4570Man]

Here’s your weakest link with very little ability to withstand bending sideways.

 

[ovrszd]

There are fish plates at the joints where the 22.5 degree change takes place, not show in the pictures. That area may need made need reinforcement to distribute load away from the weld joint.

The bracing at that joint may require significant bracing.

Also not sure of the gauge of square tubing used? Pretty good chance you are going to bend the outer section?

As 4570 pointed out, the racking is going to start at the hinge. If the claw holds up to the stress, the channel iron may twist. Channel has little resistance to twist.

Start using it. Any weakness will show up quickly.

I had to backtrack and reinforce my claws twice. After a few years of use I also had to rebuild the hinge areas.

Someone much geometrically smarter than I can tell you how many lbs of force you are applying to each area.

 

[4570Man]

Start using it. Any weakness will show up quickly.

.

The downside is it’s a lot harder to fix once it’s bent.

 

[ovrszd]

The downside is it’s a lot harder to fix once it’s bent.

Absolutely!!!!

I understand wanting light weight. But that's secondary to dependability.