Finished my grapple project

[07wingnut]

A few years ago, someone on either TBN or OTT posted his solution to adding tines to the bucket of the BX23 FEL. I shamelessly copied his design, and would give him credit if I could find the post. Part of the build was welding a set of lugs onto the top lip of the bucket, as seen in the pics. Using these lugs as a hinge point for the grapple, as well using the box blade scarifiers as the grapple teeth made things a lot easier. The result is seen in the pics, as well as the remotes added to run the grapple. As presently set up, the backhoe can be connected to the hydraulics as the original design, or run off the rear remote. All in the cost was well south of $1K Canadian.

 

[07wingnut]

and the rear remotes

 

[07wingnut]

Something went south with the images in the 1st post, should only have been 4 pics

 

[redheelerdog]

That is great! The scarifiers for grapple tines really works good.

Show us some action shots of that awesome grapple!

Nice job.

 

[Thomas]

Looks like beast. :thumbsup:

 

[metalbender]

Looking great, neat idea with the scarifiers being adjustable.

 

[ovrszd]

Unique concept. I've never saw that!!!

Grapples are very hard on themselves. Not sure what size your cylinder is? Looks like a 2 x something?

Hydraulics generate a tremendous amount of power. Doesn't matter what tractor they are on. Bigger tractor only speeds up the process.

So the chassis of the design has to be able to withstand the full force of that cylinder. I'm concerned that if a tooth on one end meets resistance before the others the framework will twist. There's little in the design to prevent this.

Try it gently. Pay close attention to any distortion. Much easier to fix/reinforce it before it's mangled.

You'll love having a Grapple. Great tool!!!!

 

[07wingnut]

Appreciate the comments Richard. That concern was on my radar, but other than using dual cylinders on the sides, or beefing up the frame, I can see no way to fix that problem. Being that this is mounted on a BX23 with very limited lift ability, you really don't want to add much weight. Years ago I had a home made grapple mounted on the loader bucket of an CIH885 that was even more susceptible to bending than this one. The only cure is to be careful with the pressure applied to the grapple.

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, I understand.

I built a dual lid Grapple several years ago. Have remodeled and reinforced it three times. I keep telling myself I'll just be careful with it and not expect too much from it. Yeah right.....

 

[Sonny580]

Looks great----should be really handy for picking up nasty stuff!