FEL Grapple Build

[dkhntr04]

I thought I'd share the grapple I built for my FEL. I just finished it up this week and used it for the first time today. The task at hand was taking down 11 mature spruce trees that died this year. The grapple worked excellent and the trees were down, sectioned, and stacked in a pile in 5 hours. The grapple sure made quick work of the brush and logs versus using pallet forks, chains, and dragging brush by hand. For those who are curious, I don't have my grille guard on because the subframe for my 59" snowblower is still in place. I have the snowblower mounting system for the older generation tractors, and the blower would hit the guard at full lift if I left the guard on. I didn't feel like swapping them out for an afternoon of work especially with snow in the forecast for tomorrow.

The grapple is 46" wide. The reason for the odd width is so I could incorporate the last tine as the side of the SSQA mount. I didn't think I'd miss 2" compared to the standard 48" width. It weighs in right about 375-400# based on calculated weights of the materials. The cylinder is a 2.5"x8" I had laying around from a snowplow lift I made for a previous tractor. The tines are .5x3" A-36 and tube is 3"x.25". The grapple arm is 2.5"x.375" with an assortment of metal for the cross-tubes, teeth, and reinforcements. The pivots are 2" wide, greasable, and ride on custom turned 5/8" pins. Welds are all 6010 and/or 7018. The hydraulic hose setup is temporary for now, I will be adding permanent hoses and couplers on the FEL cross-tube later.

Here are the pics. Enjoy!

 

[murphy1244]

Really nice job on that.

 

[dkhntr04]

A couple more pics.

 

[Marveltone]

Nice build! Looks like you really did your homework on this. Love the action shots!

Joe

 

[dkhntr04]

Nice build! Looks like you really did your homework on this. Love the action shots!

Joe

Thanks. I did most of the design work on Autocad to make sure everything would fit properly. I had been thinking about how I wanted to build this for about a year before I started, so I had ample time to really think things through.

 

[swick1]

Looks good... and familiar ;-)

 

[dkhntr04]

Looks good... and familiar ;-)

View attachment 302393

Apparently we think alike! Yours looks nice from what I can see. The horizontal teeth on the grapple was actually a last-minute add on. It wasn't until I saw the whole thing together that I decided they were needed.

 

[bigblock]

That looks great, nice build! I have always wanted a grapple but just can't afford it right now.

Where are you getting the hydraulic power? Rear remote or third function mid?

 

[k0ua]

That looks great, I wish I had the fortitude to start that big of a project..

Oh, I have been told to not eat the pink snow:laughing:

James K0UA

 

[BuzzardA91]

That looks awesome. I wish I had a 1/10th of those skills you needed to build that.

 

[dkhntr04]

That looks great, nice build! I have always wanted a grapple but just can't afford it right now.

Where are you getting the hydraulic power? Rear remote or third function mid?

I'm running it off the factory rear remote. The control handle is right next to the joystick, so it is very convenient to use. I ran hoses from the rear remotes to the right side of the cab and an added quick couplers right next to the factory mid/loader couplers. I plan on using this new outlet for a hydraulic chute deflector for my 59" blower eventually as well.

 

[ovrszd]

Very nice build. Exceptional quality and finish. Over the next few years you will marvel at the gained productivity. If I have the room to work, I fall a tree, then pick it up like you did the one in your second photo, carry it to the brush pile and trim it while holding it waist high, then carry it to the wood pile and block it, again at waist height. Totally amazing how much easier it is to work up a tree. Not dulling the chain in the dirt or binding the bar when cutting.

The down side to a grapple is it makes the operator extremely lazy..... I rarely pick up brush by hand anymore or even an ocassional rock, do it all with the grapple. You suddenly become very tidy in cleaning up work areas.

You should be very proud of your build. Now save up your pennies and get 3rd function for your loader to make operation even easier. With 3rd function you can lift the loader, tilt the grapple and close the jaw all at the same time without moving your hand from the lever. :thumbsup:

 

[swick1]

Apparently we think alike! Yours looks nice from what I can see. The horizontal teeth on the grapple was actually a last-minute add on. It wasn't until I saw the whole thing together that I decided they were needed.

The teeth are handy for odd shaped logs, stumps, and brush. Congratulations on your build. I know all too well how much effort it takes to pull this off.

 

[Attono]

Two questions for you:

1) Any chance you'd be willin to share those autocad files?
2) How come the ground is all white???

 

[dkhntr04]

Two questions for you:

1) Any chance you'd be willin to share those autocad files?
2) How come the ground is all white???

I'm sorry, but I'm not looking to share my CAD files in case I start producing them at some point, which I am considering. The white stuff is baby powder. My little guy has diaper rash and I got a wee bit carried away. My wife won't let me change diapers any more.