Grapple Hookup

J_J · Jun 21, 2010

You may already know this, but when you measure for the hoses again, curl the bucket full down, as that is the max length the hose have to be.

wvpolekat · Jun 21, 2010

I thought that was how we measured. We used a piece of romex to mock up the hoses.

They may be right, once I get it all back together I will curl it forward and see. May just need something to hold the slack.

wvpolekat · Jun 21, 2010

SUCCESS! I am grappling!

The hoses are WAY too long. No big deal.

Everything went basically as planned. I think I will have to do some modification to the grapple teeth to get them closer to the bucket, but it will work for now.

Couple of leaks, just had to give some fittings a quick twist with a wrench.

Haven't had it out of the garage yet, so I don't have a good sense of how much "grip" it has.

k0ua · Jun 22, 2010

I sure would like to see finised pix, and a rundown of the success and things that went wrong with this install, I am considering doing the exact same thing. You should be very proud to tackle this project. Thanks
James K0UA

wvpolekat · Jun 22, 2010

Thanks. Pictures are on the way. I am doing a writeup of the whole project.

wvpolekat · Jun 25, 2010

Got the switch for the loader handle today. Next I need to work on the mounting of it. I have some ideas, hope to tinker with that today. Once I have that done, I will finish my writeup I am working on.

Got to use the grapple for the first time yesterday moving a downed pine tree out of the private road I live on. Very handy indeed. Bit of a learning curve, but I will get there.

wvpolekat · Jun 27, 2010

More pictures! Still working on the full writeup.

Here is the rocker switch on the joystick. For the time being, I used electrical tape as a bushing until I can fab up something better. It falls pretty easily under the index finger when needed, but doesn't seem to get in the way when not in use.

Another angle, also showing the electrics box. There is the grapple switch along with front and rear light switches.

Solenoid valve fully wired and plumbed. The electrical portion uses 1/2" conduit fittings, so I was able to neatly clamp the cable there.

I still have some cleanup work to do, primarily on the wiring.

Here are the lights I installed. Still need to work up a bracket.