Grapple build

[2310 guy]

This for my MF 2310. Trying to keep it light because of the small size of my tractor FEL, yet strong enough that it won't bend.

The last grapple i made ended up bending and twisting after I welded the gusits(sp) in. All the heat and my turning it in the vise ended up totally twisting my grapple. Thats what happen when you use thin steel. A blessing in disguise.

Everthing is now 3/8" or 1/2" also I'm using angle iron because its easy and strong.

Here are the pivot points.

The pivot points before I tack weld them.

This going to be the pivoting end of the grapple teeth/arm

Teeth/arms in the mounts.

welded into place.

 

[BTDT]

Nice welding table. I like the angle iron grate with scrap barrel underneath table. Oh, BTW, nice work on the grapple too.

 

[Stampeder]

Nice work on the Grapple. I'm about to do some work on mine as well. It started to twist when I lifted some 8 inch diameter pine trees.
I too really like your welding table.
How about more pictures and dimensions of it. I need to build one at this new place and yours looks like a winner.
How big is the top? What thinkness? Like the use of the I beams on the edge. Is it on casters?
Looking forward to seeing the finished grapple. Are you going to put it on a root rake?
Cheers
Glenn

 

[2310 guy]

I'm not sure the exact size of the table. Its got 4"x4" square tubing 1/4' thick for legs. The legs sit under a I-beam frame. And the tables surface is 5/16" plate. The size of the table is aprox. 3 1/2 ft by 6 1/2 ft.

It doesn't have casters but that is not a bad idea.

 

[Stampeder]

I'm from Calgary. Moved to Texas last year. Are you on the Island?

Any chance of some pictures? What size are the I beams?

Cheers.

 

[2310 guy]

I'm from bowen isl. not vancouver isl. Its a 20 min ferry ride from horseshoe bay.

I'll take some pics for the table when I go back to work.

 

[2310 guy]

Update:

I got the grapple mounted on the bucket and took so measurements for the grapple angle and the hyrdaulic piston angle. With the grapple level it will 35 deg. all the way down and 45 deg. all the way up. Total travel from up the down is 80 deg. Now that I have the right angles I can finish welding. Its a real (pain) to do when the bucket is over an hour away from my workshop.

Mobil work bench

ready to drill

35 deg. bellow level (all the way down)

45 deg above level. (all the way up)

Guard dog... just incase.

 

[alchemysa]

Update:
Guard dog... just incase.
QUOTE]

Thats gets funnier everytime I look at it.

 

[2310 guy]

Update:

I got everything welded up and painted. Also drill and tapped in some grease fittings.


Teeth for the grapple

Painted

New bushings and grease fittings

Finished product. Late and over budget but what can you do, this was my first grapple. Next time should be easier....lol.

 

[bucmeister]

Nice work. I need to do something 'bout like that myself. Was noticing the bushings. Since all I have ever done is drill holes, which is a big step up from my dad's "a cutting torch hole is good enough" mentality, I would like to know where to lay my hands on that kind of material.

 

[2310 guy]

I had them laying around work. If I need more I would probably get a machine shop to make them.

 

[tlbuser]

Nice work. I need to do something 'bout like that myself. Was noticing the bushings. Since all I have ever done is drill holes, which is a big step up from my dad's "a cutting torch hole is good enough" mentality, I would like to know where to lay my hands on that kind of material.

Or just order them from somewhere like MSC MSC Search Results

 

[mboulais]

Nice work. I need to do something 'bout like that myself. Was noticing the bushings. Since all I have ever done is drill holes, which is a big step up from my dad's "a cutting torch hole is good enough" mentality, I would like to know where to lay my hands on that kind of material.

You can also get any size you need here:

McMaster-Carr

just search for bronze bushing

 

[bones1]

Nice grapple build.Can we see it installed?.
You can get sintered bronze bushings from an auto parts store as well.They usually have them in a Dorman drawer,clutch pilot bushings.

 

[RonMar]

You can typically get them at hardware stores also, but perhaps not that large. Many stores carry the Hillman fastener line(parts all boxed in drawers/bins) and there usualy bronze bushings in that section. I have found them there up to 1".

I have used shoulder bushings like this many times with good results. The good thing about shoulder bushings is that they are limited on how far they are driven into the tube by the shoulder, and the shoulder then becomes a thrust washer/bushing at the end of the tube.

Yours looks great, but for a grapple, I think bronze bushings might be overkill. Since the bushing will never see a full 360 degrees of rotation, you could see ovaling sooner than a all steel bearing surface. A greased steel pin in tube would most likley work just as well for the ammount of use it is likley going to get.

 

[2310 guy]

Your probably right about the bushings being over kill. I only used them because I had them. Also the bushings with shoulders would work nice. I'll probably end up get those when I need to replace them.

Side note: Grapple should be up and running on sunday. I'll post some pics as soon as posible.

 

[2310 guy]

Update:
Grapple is installed and is working. Slight problem tho, the bucket started to bend after tying to pick up a huge stump.

Gotta flatten the bow out and make it stonger. The stock bucket is fairly light duty. More welding

Tree limbs

Setting myself up for a test bite

Other then the weak bucket the grapple works well. It will come in handy this fall, when burning season starts.

 

[Bill Barrett]

Nice thread and great job on the grapple.

I'm working on getting a Woods 1009 FEL on my L3130 the grapple is next!

Can you show how you did the hydraulics? Valving,controls and such?

As far a bushings I usually use DOM tubing and pins for pivot points.

 

[Bill Barrett]

Oh by the way, that looks like my green tape measure and Milwalkee drill LOL

 

[SkunkWerX]

2310 guy, Nice work!...great to see the 'action pics"

I'm in the process of building mine, and thought about how flimsy my bucket metal was. I extended my Base/Hinge piece (on yours it's the angle piece) out to both ends of the bucket, which is what I've seen a lot of people do.
That way, the pushing force is not carried solely by the middle/top portion of the bucket, but, also carried by the sides of the bucket.

Still looks very good, and highly functional, again, great work!