Grapple Design

[dtd24]

Just so you guys know I wasn't just slacking off

 

[3RRL]

Oh man,
That looks COLD!

 

[dtd24]

It was very cold. Starting to warm up now though. It was my first time plowing with her. It was fun for alittle while. Still like my plow truck better though. The heat works better. I will be resuming the grapple soon though!!

 

[rdln]

I am sure your bucket is 6' wide and FWIW rule of thumb for mechanisms is 15deg angle when lines are drawn between pivots

sweet tractor

 

[dtd24]

so the 15 degrees is to eliminate the cylinder from sticking or fighting against itself?

 

[toolaholic]

D T D on pix #2 ,tractors sideways, at the bottom of the f e l . the square tube end looks like it rotated out of it's weld. Am I wrong ?

 

[dtd24]

Tool,
Are you talking about where the FEL mounts to the tractor? Does look strange, huh? When I first bought it, I thought the same. That is the way it sits on it. I even searched the internet for pics of other 1070's to make sure.

DaveD

 

[dtd24]

Ok, started the mock up. I will post the final mock. RDLN made an awesome file of the movement of my grapple. I sent him my drawing file and he is making one with my actual design. I will ask him to post when he is complete.
Thanks RDLN

 

[dtd24]

Well, I made the mock up with some luann plywood I had around. I found a design flaw . Better to find it now I guess. It can actually be seen on the final dwg, but I missed it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...3d1170972778-grapple-design-grapple-final.pdf

The arm hits the 3" angle support stopping it from closing completely. I will be revising the design of the support bracket. Learned alot building the mock though. I can see it in a different light.

Heres some pics of the process. This web site has added the camera to my list of tools!!!

 

[IslandTractor]

I found a design flaw .

I betcha you could get away with just notching the arm where it hits the support bracket. That should not weaken the grapple much at all. If you are concerned about strength at that point you could just weld in a sister brace above the notch.

I'd still suggest widening the grapple to about half the width of your bucket.