grapple do they make 12v electric drive ram

[badbowtie]

I have a small old b7100 gear drive so not a bunch of lifting capacity but would like to beable to reach into down trees with the bucket flip a switch and have the grapple come down and grab the log against the buck and let me back out and cut the log up easier. I don't have external hydraulics any were or any of the controls to add a hyd ram. I was goig to get 1/2 steel and make my grapple but just trying to figure out ram options. I have a bushog front end loader and don't have any extra ports on the joystick to do anyting there. I don't hve any block on the side of the tractor the controls for the front loader go down and hook straight to the metal line with fittings. The only electric ram thing I can think of is like a 12v trailer jack but that ain't going to work what else has anybody seen.

 

[zman007007]

The only 12 volt I know of is the kind like used on tailgates which is pressurized when you raise them, but actually weight is what brings them down, or makes them return. The only way you could use it is if you had heavy duty springs to help them return, to push the pistons back in. If you click on search above and type in my screename you will be able to see a post where I added a FEL to my B7100HST-E you will see the plate where you can add hydraulic attachments. Mine I had to drill and tap, but you can also buy the plate already made. If I can help you let me know. zman Pete

 

[Don87]

Check on 'electric over hydraulic' cylinders.
Northern tool has them, and the Cub Cadet 2160 I sold used one for the rototiller.

 

[Willl]

You could also do a electric hydraulic diverter like many of us have done. :thumbsup:

 

[vpd66]

A Linear actuator might work for what your talking about doing. Surplus Center has 2 pages of them ranging from 100lbs of lifting force up to 1000lbs. Basically they are electric driven screw jacks.

 

[jinman]

A Linear actuator might work for what your talking about doing. Surplus Center has 2 pages of them ranging from 100lbs of lifting force up to 1000lbs. Basically they are electric driven screw jacks.

Linear actuators will work, but they are much slower than hydraulics. Think about a Mighty Mule gate opener. If all you want is a stabilizing thumb type grapple, this might be a satisfactory method.

 

[badbowtie]

I am gong to take a couple pictures tomorrow t show you guys how my loader was plumbed i by previous owner and was searching arround o here and seen were peopled plumbed a single spool valve on the bottom of there joystick just ran inline with the feed hydraulic line and could do it that way. I am just trying to figure the best economical way of adding a grapple. On this size tracter shuld I still go 1/2 tines or just 3/8 with cross bracing.

 

[smiley]

If you can find one cheap enough, you might think about a electric snowplow lift with angle capability. That would give the open and closing potential. Although they're used with 2 single acting cylinders, I don't know why it wouldn't work with a double. You might even be able to adapt the valve from a hyraulic plow lift to work with your hydraulics.
Smiley.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOs7YieFax4

12v to power the pump to open/close the grapple they sold so you did not have to tap into the tractor's hydralics.:thumbsup:

 

[kennyd]

You could also do a electric hydraulic diverter like many of us have done. :thumbsup:

Yup. Search the term "diverter" in the hydraulics forum for hours of reading.