FEL Grapple from Scratch W/ Lots-O-Pics

[MikesTractor]

OK - update on todays progress, I got their Plasma cutter back on-line. They were so happy, they knocked out the grapple parts first thing to test it all out.

Sounds like you might have made some important friends. Might help on future projects too.

My Dad always said "When you can trade favors, every one comes out ahead." Dad lived by this and never had a shortage of help when he needed it. Over the years, I've tried to follow his advice. For example: There is a large machine shop near me and I know many of the guys in the shop. When they need work on their tractors, they buy parts and I furnish labor. If I need machine work done, they are always ready to furnish their labor. Works great for all of us.

Larry and Rob, Keep up the good work! I'm looking forward to the next project.

Mike

 

[GuglioLS]

Sounds like you might have made some important friends. Might help on future projects too.

Funny you say that, because I find myself in need of some more plasma cutting, and some design work from Rob.



My Dad always said "When you can trade favors, every one comes out ahead." Mike, Your Dad was a wise man.

Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

After using the grapple to move some rocks around, I thought of a way to protect a short section of the exposed hydraulic cylinder rod. My idea for a small protective plate under the cylinder is sort of like this:



Yesterday I asked Rob to take a look at it. That afternoon he drew this up and sent me the CAD file:



I'll take Rob's CAD file to the plasma cutter and have it made. Thank you Rob !

One last thing I would have done a little different, that would be to make the 1/4" plate between the front jaw tips out of diamond plate, instead of smooth flat plate.

Diamond plate here would be more appealing:


Not structurally necessary, It would add more style to an already perfect grapple (IMHO).


Larry

 

[SkunkWerX]

"Not structurally necessary, It would add more style to an already perfect grapple (IMHO)."


Nothing wrong with that. Style points count too!

It looks fantastic! Top notch.

 

[dtd24]

Larry, Nice job!! Hey you think you can post the vendor where you got that handle? I did mine with a switch because I couldn't find a handle.

Thanks in advance!

DaveD

 

[3RRL]

Yeah Larry,
I sure would like to replace my stone age looking handle with one like yours. Did you post that link? lol ... I'm too lazy to look back in the thread for it.

Regarding the diamond plate, I think that would look great too. You should have cut it out of that in the first place.
Of course there's always the hole saw where you can add some Star Wars looking lightning holes and some style with that. Draw a circle pattern you like with chalk on it to see what it would look like?

Maybe I'm biased, but I love your grapple.

 

[Mith]

Thanks for the tips guys.

You wouldnt happen to know what size tap I will need to thread holes for 3/8" BSP fittings do you?

 

[GuglioLS]

Thanks for the tips guys.

You wouldnt happen to know what size tap I will need to thread holes for 3/8" BSP fittings do you?

Mith,

Perhaps a 3/8" BSP Tap from your local hardware store?

CLICK HERE for more information. Hopefuly you will find the answers you seek. IMHO there are too many Hydraulic fittings & threads to choose from & to try and match up.

Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

Dave, Rob and all who are interested,
Here are the Joystick Handle links:

Home Page
S series handle
Handle specs
Mounting options
Parts List

They are in Canada with a direct dial toll free #

I told them I would try to get them some business - So Please, If anyone orders a handle let them know that Larry Gugliotta referred you. Maybe good for a discount? - Ask!
If any of you really do order, let me know so I can get an Idea of how much business they may be getting from us.

Be sure to check out the mounting options, & order enough cable for your application, they come standard with 2 feet of cable.

These are durable, high quality handles that you can get parts for if needed - so expect to pay about ~ 130.00 USD + shipping. For me, it was worth every penny. As opposed to fabricating some makeshift setup I would not be happy with.

Larry

 

[GuglioLS]

Finally, here are some action shots of the grapple in use. I took these pictures today between 6:57 pm & 7:24 pm Mountain Time, so they are as close to Real Time as possible



This last one is of a tree Rob pushed over with my Dozer. He got carried away and pushed it deep into the woods, he just kept going & going . So I retrieved it to be cut up for firewood.



Larry