downsizingnow48
Elite Member
There are many commercial grapples available. I decided to make one partly because I like to make stuff, partly because I had the material laying around, and partly because I can make it exactly suited to the work I have in mind.
Photo 1: The main frame. The bottom rail is 3x3x1/4 tube. The top rail and sides are 2x4x1/4 tube. The side plates are flat bar 5x1/4. This makes a very stiff assembly. It is 52" wide. That includes 45" for the SSQA plus 3 1/2" on either side for the cylinders and hinges. I wanted it narrow for maneuverability.
Photo 2: Rather than make the SSQA adapter from scratch I used an adapter plate I got off ebay (rebar-monkey). It is nicely made.
Photo 3,4: I cut out the middle for visibility and used heavy expanded metal to keep sticks from poking back.
Photo 5,6,7,8: Making the top lid hinge tabs. The pivot point is behind the top rail to get a wide opening.
Photo 9: Test fit of hinge tabs. I want a full length top lid for raking.
Photo 10: Showing bottom tine mock-up. The angle is 15 degrees to provide good rollback at ground level. The tines are short (14") for maneuverability and leverage. They will have wedge/triangle gussets joining them together at the front.
Next week I should be able to get the bottom tines and top lid made up.
Photo 1: The main frame. The bottom rail is 3x3x1/4 tube. The top rail and sides are 2x4x1/4 tube. The side plates are flat bar 5x1/4. This makes a very stiff assembly. It is 52" wide. That includes 45" for the SSQA plus 3 1/2" on either side for the cylinders and hinges. I wanted it narrow for maneuverability.
Photo 2: Rather than make the SSQA adapter from scratch I used an adapter plate I got off ebay (rebar-monkey). It is nicely made.
Photo 3,4: I cut out the middle for visibility and used heavy expanded metal to keep sticks from poking back.
Photo 5,6,7,8: Making the top lid hinge tabs. The pivot point is behind the top rail to get a wide opening.
Photo 9: Test fit of hinge tabs. I want a full length top lid for raking.
Photo 10: Showing bottom tine mock-up. The angle is 15 degrees to provide good rollback at ground level. The tines are short (14") for maneuverability and leverage. They will have wedge/triangle gussets joining them together at the front.
Next week I should be able to get the bottom tines and top lid made up.