Grapple Ebay Grapple, anyone know about it

Builder · Feb 26, 2006

( The standard diverter setup diverts a function from the noral 4 of the loader. (up bucket, down bucket, curl, dump) Usually the curl/dump functions are replaced with the grapple open/grapple closed function. This diversion only occurs when you press a little button. The default position is curl/dump. The only weakness of this setup is that you can't simultaneously curl and close the grapple. Folks with this diverter setup don't seem to have a problem with that. Too bad it's 400$, but that get's you a quality setup. Compare that price to adding a new rear remote and it seems in line with the costs of hydraulic stuff.
)

You lost me there. Sorry I'm so thick headed. What do you mean "Too bad it's $400, but that gets you a quality set up".

( "So far it seems that all of thse grapples utilize removable pins at the grapple hings and hydraulic mounts meaning you could remove those pins and take the grapple off for loader work if you felt it was in the way.

I would not recommend bolting any of these directly to the top of the bucket. Take advantage of this oppurtunity to build a stout platform for the grapple and a foundation for hooks.

It seems worth the extra 150$ to get the foundation frame that the green thumb setup lacks. " )

Is there a foundation frame made for an L-39 bucket? Or do you mean like welding a thick steel plate to the top & sides of the bucket?

Sorry for the rookie questions. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Highbeam · Feb 26, 2006

In Islandtractor and VTkioti's photos you will see the long piece of square tube or channel that spans the entire bucket top. On each end of that long channel or tube a piece of plate ties it to the sides of the bucket to leave the original top of the bucket untouched, there is an actual gap. That is good since the bucket tops are generally the weakest part. The long piece of channel/tube and the plates all get hard mounted to the bucket and is what I call the mounting frame or foundation for the grapple. The foundation part is not supplied by all manufacturers so you may have to make your own to fit your L39. The grapple itself pins onto the foundation. You can remove the grapple but the foundation stays in place.

"What do you mean "Too bad it's $400, but that gets you a quality set up". "

By that I meant, -it is too bad the diverter setup from WRLong is 400$, that's a lot of money, but that cost is justified by the quality of the kit that you receive by paying WRLong 400$.

Builder · Feb 26, 2006

OK, thanks. You guys are really understanding & helpful here. I plan on being the same way back to others when I can help.

I see what you mean about the foundation. I think I'd lean towards a kit that makes a foundation available for my L39. heck, maybe Kubota sells one???

canoetrpr · Feb 26, 2006

Thanks for all the info folks. This has been a really nice thread.

If I go and do this the Add a Grapple does seem like a good bet with the mounting kit. The diverter setup seems way better than using a remote valve for grapple function - with a separate lever.

IslandTractor · Feb 27, 2006

I'm also close to a decision on the Add A Grapple. PrecisionMfg also makes a hydraulic diverter kit but I have heard so many good things about the WRLong kit that I may buy the diverter kit separately. I tried to talk Nelson into producing a grapple kit but it sounds like they are busy enough with their big boy grapple business and won't get to it for a while. The other company that makes a nice grapple add on kit is ATI however there is a welding step in the installation which is not the case with the Add A Grapple. I'd like to learn some welding skills but I need the grapple to be functional this century so I'll probably stick with the AAG. Just to be clear, the AAG will require a bit of adjustment for my 54" bucket but I am assured by the manufacturer it is just cutting the support bar to length.

tlbuser · Feb 27, 2006

( [How about the hookup to your QA? Pretty close?]

Joe, the grapple hooked up to the QA without any problems. However, the attachment is little loose on the bottom because the QA pins on my tractor do not engage into the holes deep enough. It appears that there is too much space between the top of the skid steer plate and the bottom at the pin attachment holes. To fix this I going to have a welder install a 1/4 inch riser plate on top of the existing pin attachment holes to shorten the distance. Jim )

Before welding tabs on, you might want to make sure the pin slots on the grapple qa plate are correct. In my experience, it is not uncommon for the slots to be too narrow from front to back which doesn't allow the pin to go through all the way. You may just need to drill out the existing holes.

VT_Kioti · Feb 27, 2006

I’m going to veer off thread here a little bit but it seems the answer to a question is here. I have just installed an ATI quick attach on my CK30. When mounting the bucket, the pins do not go all the way through the bottom holes. They seem to be held in place by a down force spring. Question: SHOULD the pins go all the way through the holes?
Sorry about the diversion.
Thanks
Al

Highbeam · Feb 27, 2006

You get all the cool toys Al.

Are you making the Kioti bucket into a QA bucket?

chanceu · Mar 23, 2006

There is another comparable grapple I found and am wondering if anyone knows anything about it. It is called "The Arm".

http://www.dehnerwelding.com/THEARM.html

At least from the eBay prices, they are about the same cost. The Thumb has teeth, but The Arm is more rounded and seems like it might wrap around better. The Arm also looks to be a little wider.

Anybody?

VT_Kioti · Mar 23, 2006

Highbeam
Howdy.....The dealer made the bucket into a QA for me. He had to cut the mounting bracket off and weld a QA plate on in there place. The only tricky thing is not loosing the angle on the bucket when attached. You could really mess it up here.
I am now going to make a Boom Pole like the one DullPain and KennyV made. Looks like it could be real handy.