Dual action grapple

3RRL · Mar 31, 2009

I've been reading this thread and I'm pretty impressed with the "outside the box" thinking.
I really like the idea of an "extension grapple". hr3, I'd like to see more of your mock up and steel fabrication. You are on to something. I've been struggling with our bucket grapples to get rocks and stuff into them. I recently moved my wife's grapple 6" forward on the top lip of her bucket to gain more reach out front. It now interlocks with her toothbar plus it reaches and grabs stuff out in front of her bucket and pulls it in ... way more than before. It was a definite improvement. I think that is something along the lines of what you have in mind, except even better ... your idea is great. The grapple JJ shared is pretty cool with that similar concept.
Keep us updated.
Rob-

J_J · Mar 31, 2009

I think some 60 in fork grapples would work very well also. Picture below. hr3 are you planning to use one cylinder for the grapple or two independent cylinders for each half? The grapple on the Bobcat, actually reaches out and pulls stuff in to compress it. It can grab quite a bit more than a normal grapple. The first grapple is a hinged grapple.

hr3 · Mar 31, 2009

It's only going to be 2' wide with three arms for each part.. I was going to use tube stock in between them for bracing..not butt welded drilled so I can weld both sides..After this is done if I see the need I'll plate the backside... I hope I don't have to do this for visibility reasons...
JJ.. one independent cylinders for each half.. any size thoughts?? how long will have to be determaned later..but i can be thinking about dia...

As soon as I get the pieces back from cutting I'll start taking pic's as I go along,,,

J_J · Mar 31, 2009

hr3 said:
It's only going to be 2' wide with three arms for each part.. I was going to use tube stock in between them for bracing..not butt welded drilled so I can weld both sides..After this is done if I see the need I'll plate the backside... I hope I don't have to do this for visibility reasons...
JJ.. one independent cylinders for each half.. any size thoughts?? how long will have to be determaned later..but i can be thinking about dia...

As soon as I get the pieces back from cutting I'll start taking pic's as I go along,,,

hr3, I meant to mention this before you took the plans to the welder/cutter, but I forgot. Anyway, sometimes I make up the pattern out of wood and exercise all the parts to see if the geomerty and fit is correct. It is easier to adjust wood than metal.

As far as the cylinder, it doesn't have to be very large, but the stroke has to be corect for the opening that you want, and enough down pressure to hold the heaviest object you will move. You can get to much and bend or warp the grapple. I would think 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 in shaft would be plenty. As far as a valve to control the grapple, what were you going to use?