Grapple fabrication Started

[polemidis]

 

[texasranger556]

Looking good! How much did you end spending on it?

 

[polemidis]

Looking good! How much did you end spending on it?

I do not have a BOL yet.

But in general what I bought:
$0 100 hours in CAD (winter hours nothing else to do
$408 [1] 4x8 x 1/4" sheet of AR400 , I used almost all of it
$190 on 24' of 3"x1/4" square tube but I used only 6' out of 24' (for the top tube
$52 on 21' of 1"sch40 pipe, but I used only 9' (the solid pins fit perfectly inside that pipe with minimal play)
$31 on 20' of 1" Hot Rolled solid round, but I used only 3' (for solid pins)
$147 on 4x8x3/16" sheet but i used on the grapple only 1/3 of it, maybe less. Its for the plates on the lids, for cylinder protection and bracing. (In the pics I have not welded the bottom parts yet)
$100 (estimate, cannot find the bill) on 24' of 3" x 1/8" square tube (for the bottom)
$150 for 2 cylinders 2"x 6" (shipping included)
$140 for the hydraulic hoses-adapters-TEE's etc, (hoses are CHEAP for surplus center on the pre-made lengths) I was quoted about $450 on NAPA....
$1700 to build the CNC Plasma cutter and upgrade my air supply system!!! (but I could get away with $300 cutting fee and avoid that cost)
$50 in consumables (1st time plasma user, I wasted a lot due to lack of experience, and dry air!)
$30 in color/primer (with air compressor), if you buy the spray bottles it will cost 3x times that.
I do not recall how much welding wire.

EDIT: 2" x 3/8" flat bar for the mounting (SSQA style). It does not cost more than $40

A lot of frustration because of a design fault. that ruined the whole upper section. See the picture. I had used to go cheap with 1/8" square tubing even though the computer analysis shown that it will break. To fix it I used 1/4" thick sq.tube, with extra 1/4" AR400 plate on top. The point of failure is where the base of the cylinder mount is welded at the top square tubing.


Dont give me the sum, I do not want to know it! But it sure worth it. Now I have an order for that grapple that I can build for a lot cheaper, (I already have the tubes) and I already have the CNC plasma.
And I feel cooooool!! Its my baby man! My very first one fabricated baby

 

[texasranger556]

Dont give me the sum, I do not want to know it!

I'll give you a hint...your total is within about $200 of the new grapple you quoted in your first post for this project

It's all good though, I applaud your effort and seeing it through to the end. Looks like it works well and the feeling you get knowing you built it yourself is priceless.

 

[polemidis]

I'll give you a hint...your total is within about $200 of the new grapple you quoted in your first post for this project

It's all good though, I applaud your effort and seeing it through to the end. Looks like it works well and the feeling you get knowing you built it yourself is priceless.

hahaha! But I already have an order to fabricate 1 more grapple, that will almost offset all my expenses (except the cnc plasma). And as soon as I make some pics/materials I can advertise it. I think its good side money and the customization is another plus

The huge gain in money is going to be the firewood processor though. Almost all hydraulics and steel is less than $4000 comparing to $20000+ of a new machine

 

[goeduck]

hahaha! But I already have an order to fabricate 1 more grapple, that will almost offset all my expenses (except the cnc plasma). And as soon as I make some pics/materials I can advertise it. I think its good side money and the customization is another plus

The huge gain in money is going to be the firewood processor though. Almost all hydraulics and steel is less than $4000 comparing to $20000+ of a new machine

Excellent. Recover your investment! Nice.

 

[McCann]

CNC would be nice. I drew my design and transferred to 1/4" plywood templates for plasma cutting. Soaked plywood in water and they lasted for multiple cuts. I used 3/8" scrap plate. Has held up picking up large logs etc. Still not too heavy for the tractor and the teeth do take some abuse. Do you have a jaw opening measurement?

 

[polemidis]

CNC would be nice. I drew my design and transferred to 1/4" plywood templates for plasma cutting. Soaked plywood in water and they lasted for multiple cuts. I used 3/8" scrap plate. Has held up picking up large logs etc. Still not too heavy for the tractor and the teeth do take some abuse. Do you have a jaw opening measurement?

The latest revision is a little over 35" (inside measurements), It was more but I decided to shorten it. As I am using it now, I consider shortening the tines and the lids Which will give a little less opening too. The reason is that the lids are closed and I am moving logs they "play" a lot, inside the grapple (if its a few of them you cannot pinch them all), and I see that I do not often fill all that length with brush. Its personal preference as it is an all around use grapple though.

Where I am satisfied it the 1/4" thickness of the AR400. Almost everybody suggested to not go less than 3/8". Which may be a good advice for stronger tractors.

Anyway here are some videos guys (11 of them). I did not had a balast when I was shooting a few of them thats why I cannot lift the white ash log. The big pine log limits my lifting capacity. Not bad.
Grapple Videos - YouTube