BX25 GrappleOmatic

[Artisan]

Santa brought me a FEL grapple. Anyone seeing me doing anything wrong here, or shall I carry on? The tips of the grapple just barely touch the front edge of the toothbar, not the teeth, the horizontal bar that lays parrallel w/ the bucket, left/right. You can see the business end, the grapple itself in the background in top pic.

 

[Marveltone]

Looks good so far. Can't wait to see the finished project!:thumbsup:

Joe

 

[204saskman]

Im pretty sure this is what im going to be building next. I think all looks good for yours so far.

 

[magicheater]

You are doing a nice job. How much does all that weigh?

 

[Artisan]

Weight? I am probably loosing a good 100 pounds off my capacity (when it is on)but I don't care much, just a couple more trips if I am moving material, I want the vesatility. The grapple mount to the bucket is just a piece of 3.5 x 3.5 x .250 Structural angle, it weighs maybe 15# ? Somewhere close, everything else strips off if I wish. The grapple forks are going to be quick release, just 2 cylinder pins w/ clips like a class 2 trailer hitch and the hoses are going to be QD's (Quick Disconnects) so if I want, I am almost back to stock, again, that versatility I seek. Perhaps it will be powered with THIS. (Scroll to bottom, look at 700-5032-4080 )

 

[wcampbell47]

Looks good. I have a friend that is just itching to do some fabrication for me and this is a project I want to do as well. First he is going to build a set of debris forks to bolt onto the bucket. Following that will be the grapple. As for myself I think I want the grapple to extend out beyond the bucket but not beyond the debris forks.

Anyone have a grapple that would offer an opinion?

 

[Artisan]

Campbell I have been chewing on this very thing, that is the length of the grapple in relation to the bucket. I had Santa get me the smallest one for weight issues, and should I feel I want it longer, it will be a small task to weld on some extensions, maybe some extensions w/ a certain "cool" factor to them.
I to would like an opinion from someone who has a grapple as well.

 

[Artisan]

Albeit I am not a class act when it comes to fabricating, I am however testiment to the fact that one needs to BUY A WELDER and START WELDING to learn. Some basic tools, a grinder and drill press and a saw and your going to be making stuff you see others make. I say this because lately it seems I have been reading a lot of guys proclaiming no welding skills, like I used too, till I maned up and bought a used inexpensive welder. Now look! HA! I make all kinds of stuff! Bird Turd welds and All! But it works and I didn't pay the man to do it for me. Little by little, my welds improve... :thumbsup:

Anywho, the GrappleOmatic continues.

Below is a reveal for the cylinder reinforcement plate OE on the bucket.

Below is a reveal for the OE welds on the bucket at the top so angle iron sits flush to top edge of bucket.

 

[Artisan]

You are doing a nice job. How much does all that weigh?

I had to know so before I weld it up I dragged the scales out there and weighed it ALL.

The 3.5 x 3.5 x .250 Angle Iron w/ 4-5/8 x 2" bolts including nuts and washers, the lower grapple mount, and the top cylinder pin weight 47 pounds.

The cylinder and the 2 pins to afix the grapple forks to the grapple mount weigh 15 pounds.

The grapple forks and the cylinder pin weigh 36 pounds.

The welds will prob weigh 2 pounds.

47
15
36
02
___
100 pounds on the nose! HA! Now I didn't add the 2 pounds for welds to make it weigh 100 pounds, I did all my calcs then totaled it. So this set up on a BX25 weighs almost exacly 100 pounds.

 

[Artisan]

more pics...

 

[ametcalf]

Looks good. I have a friend that is just itching to do some fabrication for me and this is a project I want to do as well. First he is going to build a set of debris forks to bolt onto the bucket. Following that will be the grapple. As for myself I think I want the grapple to extend out beyond the bucket but not beyond the debris forks.

Anyone have a grapple that would offer an opinion?

I made a set of brush forks last fall and now that the holidays are past I hope to get back to building the grapple for our BX23. I made a wooden prototype and now have all the hydraulics from Surplus Center. I hope that I can take the tractor and mock-up to the welder on Monday or Tuesday and get on their schedule. I hope to be able to bolt removable extensions on the upper grapple teeth so it will be efficient with or with out the brush forks mounted. We have a couple of acres of wooded area right by our house just screaming to get cleaned up. If that works well, the seminary here has five wooded acres next door to us they just acquired and I know they would be happy to get them cleaned out. When I get it built I plan to post some pictures with and without the extensions. I too would like to see any ideas for doing this.
2012 should be a lot of fun. A year ago I hadn't even thought about getting something like the BX23 but it sure has been great.
A. Metcalf

 

[Cantoo]

Are you gonna weld some grab hooks onto it before you paint it?

 

[k0ua]

Hey "bird turds" are better than no welds.. I agree with you, get a welder and start learning and quit "wishing" you could weld. I am not a very good welder either, but I am getting better. As cheap as welders are now, (especially used welders) there is not really any excuse to not have one. Unless you are just scared someone will make fun of your welds.. Which they will do, but so what?

I say weld-on!

James K0UA

 

[Artisan]

Thanx for the input A. Metcalf and be sure to post up pics when you get going!

 

[Artisan]

Are you gonna weld some grab hooks onto it before you paint it?

Dude...I am so vasalating back and forth and up and down about hooks / whatnot. I have not made up my mind if I am going w/ chain hooks or D-Rings or Solid Rings....oh man...I gotta go or get off the pot on that decision... any input for me to help sway my mind anyone? Seen any off the hook cool ideas implemented anywhere?

There are some real valid arguements regrading D-Rings over hooks and vice versa...

 

[Artisan]

Here ya go K0ua :laughing:


Let the masses rip me a new one! (But they ain't gonna fail anytime soon. )

 

[Don87]

Here ya go K0ua :laughing:


Let the masses rip me a new one! (But they ain't gonna fail anytime soon. )

A bird pooped on your angle iron:laughing::laughing:

Just joking

By all means weld 2 hooks on there while your at it. Place them inline with your loader arms. You'll be glad you did.


P.S. I've got a 2 year old mig welder thats never been out of the box.

 

[k0ua]

Yep, 2 5/16 weld on grab hooks, are what you need with the opening pointing towards the tractor.. Like this.

James K0UA

 

[raptor749]

Your grapple looks great! Keep up the good work!!! :thumbsup::thumbsup:I made a set of debri forks about 30'' long off front of bucket 2''x2'' thick wall tubing. These are 30'' plus the length under the bucket, welded chain on that wraps around back side of bucket and secure with chain binders. Then made grapple out of 1/2''x4'' flat bar 3''x3'' thick wall tubing, grapple is long, end and reaches end of debri forks. Welded 3''x3'' on top of bucket to pin grapple on . Hydraulic cylinder works off rear remote. It is a little over kill for my B7800 but it works well for me. When I make it lite weight I bend it up, then have to start over again. Planning on a shorter grapple to hit at end of bucket without the forks some time this year. Will try to add photos to (my photos tonight) . Remember Work Smarter NOT Harder !!!!!!!! Steven.

 

[Cantoo]

I use grab hooks on mine and usually put a slip hook on the middle just to take up slack chain. And welding 1 on backwards never hurts either, I keep saying I am going to weld them both ways on my buckets but at last guess I had like 15 buckets so someday that's a lot of hooks and a lot of welding.
Welding needs more practice, looks like you are hurrying it along too much, good penetration though. Practice on the flat welds if you can, vary your hand speed moving along until you have a nice smooth weld. And stitch to reduce warping,,, reduce not eliminate.