Grapple For Bucket

obxtractor · Jun 27, 2006

I realize this has been covered a million times, but I need to put a grapple on my CK30 with the KL130 loader. I have found the grapples on Ebay for 250-500$. Where is the best place to get the easiest to use diverter or auxiallry control? I do not have a set of remotes already installed. Would installing remotes and hooking into them be the best? Also after I install the grapple, how will it affect loading sand and so forth in the bucket? Do they retract passed the top bucket edge? Any help is greatly appreciated. I plan on installing this very soon. Also, money is kinda tight, which is why I am not going with the 4 way bucket now.

RedRocker · Jun 27, 2006

The Thumb is reasonably priced and shouldn't interfere with your normal operations. I'd do the diverter valve rather than the rear remotes, they're pretty pricey too.

MadReferee · Jun 28, 2006

obxtractor said:
I realize this has been covered a million times, but I need to put a grapple on my CK30 with the KL130 loader. I have found the grapples on Ebay for 250-500$. Where is the best place to get the easiest to use diverter or auxiallry control? I do not have a set of remotes already installed. Would installing remotes and hooking into them be the best? Also after I install the grapple, how will it affect loading sand and so forth in the bucket? Do they retract passed the top bucket edge? Any help is greatly appreciated. I plan on installing this very soon. Also, money is kinda tight, which is why I am not going with the 4 way bucket now.

Check in the Attachments forum and the Customization forum. There have been plenty of threads on installing grapples on different tractors. There are several different approaches you can take, third function solenoids, diverters, rear remotes, etc. Expect to spend around $1000 by the time you are done for the grapple and hydraulics. Only you can determine which is right for you functionality and price wise. All have been discussed in one of the two forums above.

Highbeam · Jun 28, 2006

I am right with you and to keep this thread Kioti related how about let's discuss some unique Kioti issues. For example, the top of the bucket for our loader is very thin sheet metal that is two layers with a hollow middle. The thumb (Tatro) grapple looks to just put bolts through the top bucket surface. Seems to me that the sheet metal will be crushed by the bolts or by the bolts tweaking under use. Stealing technology from most homemade units and from ATI, does the board think that it is very necessary to construct a top bar that bridges the top of the bucket and bolts to each side? The flimsiness of the top lip is very eveident when you tie the loader bucket down on a trailer and you can see it deflect. This top bar would be a superior place to mount weld on bucket hooks.

On the hydraulics: The cost of adding a single remote plus the hoses and QDs to get to the front would easily cost 350$ (250 $remote kit, 100$ hoses) and since you really want 2 remotes for top and tilt, it will cost more. This setup is good if you already have remotes but the WRlong diverter kit at 400$ or so would be almost the same price and would make the grapple use possible without removing your hand from the joystick. Leaves the option of two remotes being added in the future and used for top and tilt along with the grapple. The bugger about the WRlong kit on our Kiotis is that the diverter valve and plumbing bolt onto the loader frame in a sticking up manner. Kinda obtrusive but very effective.

Ordering direct from Andy Tatro gets the grapple to your door for 420$ plus the hydraulics for another 400-500$. Yep, 1000$. My wife wasn't too happy until she saw me sliding slash along the forest floor 250 feet to the burn pile and I showed her the next area that would require me to move it 500 feet or more. I pointed out how you could also pick up a log for bucking into rounds, grab bales of hay to feed, or whatever. It really does make sense in a lot of situations.

RedRocker · Jun 28, 2006

I wouldn't mount anything on the top edge of our buckets either, I'll do a tube across the top with pins attaching it to plates bolted to the side plates of the bucket like most grapple's mount.

MadReferee · Jun 28, 2006

The top portion of the Tatro grapple is a 1" x 5" x about 36" hunk of steel. It is a lot more heavy duty than running a thinner piece above the bucket top and bolting to the sides. All that's needed for mounting is 6 or 8 bolts thru the top of the bucket. In my view, this setup is not only stronger from a grapple standpoint, but it also strengthens and stiffens your bucket at the same time.

I also believe that the WR Long 3rd function solenoid bolts to the loader mast just below the joystick control. That's how its done for JD and Kubota and I am almost positive for Kioti too. The diverter mounts on the loader arms.

Highbeam · Jun 28, 2006

MadReferee said:
The top portion of the Tatro grapple is a 1" x 5" x about 36" hunk of steel. It is a lot more heavy duty than running a thinner piece above the bucket top and bolting to the sides. All that's needed for mounting is 6 or 8 bolts thru the top of the bucket. In my view, this setup is not only stronger from a grapple standpoint, but it also strengthens and stiffens your bucket at the same time.

Yikes, 1"x5"x36" long solid bar stock? I did not know that. I would still do something for the extra 12" on either side to tie it into the bucket sides. I'm starting to think that the Tatro grapple will be heavy.

3RRL · Jun 28, 2006

Highbeam,
If the top of your bucket is so thin and needs reinforcement, it would be a good idea to weld on a strip of steel running end to end. Also think about putting a couple of plates that are perpendicular to the strip and run down the back of your bucket...maybe about 4" wide x 8" long? Those 3 extra strips will give your bucker the strength and rigidity needed.

I just ordered his grapple attachment and he's made a custom length for me so it will reach the front cutting lip. But because my bucket is not as deep as it is long, I'm going to have to add a 3" x 3" (¼" wall tubing) for about 36" long across the top of the bucket. This is needed to raise the grapple (Andy told me) for it to have the right geometry to match up and work properly. Then I'm going to cut the ends off the 1" thick base of the grapple so it is only a couple of inches wider than the pivot brackets. That will reduce the overall weight of the thing somewhat. But by adding the square tubing, I should not lose any strength (for practical purpose) to operate the grapple succesfully.

MadReferee · Jun 28, 2006

OK, now that I am home I just measured the top support block for my Tatro grapple and I was a little off.

The top plate is actually 1" x 3" x 24" which according to my handy weight chart, weighs in at a little over 20 lbs. Adding in the mounting tabs, the cylinder (20 lbs) and the grapple arms (about 20 lbs), I would guess the total weight is in the 60-65 lb range.

Highbeam · Jun 28, 2006

Yes, that's what I was afraid of. The sheet metal on the top of our Kioti bucket is thin and seeme to form a void on the top. Those bolts could smash it up just by tightening them and even more when you squeeze something.

If a guy used square tube across the top, how would you tighten the nuts on the bolts? Or would you weld in spuds?

Rob, you get all the good toys!