Grapple project completed!

[Marveltone]

Well, after about a month of busy schedules and delays, I finally got my grapple mounted and running. I ordered "the Thumb" to mount on my home made bucket, due to the combination of size, weight, and price. The bucket has odd dimensions that needed a little extra fabrication to make everything fit, but I'm happy with the end results.

My dad and brother were very instrumental in the whole project, which I have been documenting with the camera. Here are a few pics:

http://s886.photobucket.com/albums/ac63/Marveltone/?action=organize

It looks like the pictures are in reverse order from what they should be, but you'll figure it out. Hope this works.

Joe

 

[mjncad]

Very good! Thanks for sharing!

 

[jcims]

That baby's got some reach! Nice work...the rental grapple i've used in the past never seems to take a big enough bite out of brush...good for logs, but that's about it.

 

[JoelD]

Looks great nice job and great pictures thNks for posting

 

[lhfarm]

Thanks for posting. You given me the inspiration to take another look at adding a grapple.

 

[kennyd]

Nice job:thumbsup:

 

[Marveltone]

Thanks to everyone on TBN for all the posts that have contributed to my decision to pursue this project. Yes, this grapple does have a huge reach to it, and it really grabs a big mouthful of material. It's the 32" thumb made by Greens Machine Shop (They make several sizes!). We also ground some serrations, or teeth into the sides of the blade to help with the grip when grabbing long material. Probably not necessary, but doesn't hurt anything either. Our local Cenex guy invited my dad and me to help with the hydraulics, and when it was time for the bill, he only charged me for the parts, claiming we did all the work! :thumbsup:

Tomorrow, I haul the tractor to the farm to give it a much bigger workout, as we have some big piles of brush move around, and some dead trees to move off the trails.

Cheers!
Joe

 

[Marveltone]

Oops! I was messing with my photobucket albums and messed up my link. :ashamed: Here is the new URL:

Grapple pictures by Marveltone - Photobucket

Joe

 

[204saskman]

Looks good, i wanna rig somthing up for my montana but i want to make it quick detach in a way and would like it the full length of the bucket. Or maybe ill just get a second bucket and build it that way.

 

[Marveltone]

This is a quick detach at the pivot. The biggest reason I didn't make it the whole length of the bucket was for weight savings. The grapple added enough weight by itself, and these smaller tractor/FEL combos need all the help they can get. In all I probably added about 1oo lbs to the bucket, but about 70 lbs comes off when I remove the jaw. Only the base remains on the bucket.

I look forward to seeing other people's adaptations. Keep 'em coming!

Joe