Grappling fun - A Picture Thread....

[IslandTractor]

Ya, I think many would be surprised how much of a difference it makes as you move away from the effective point of pivot. I also think the distance and reduction in lift capacity are not linear. In other words, the farther out your load the bigger difference it makes. So a few inches at the end of your loader can make a huge difference in lift capacity.

No question that the farther the load is from the pivot point the greater the force needed to lift. However it is, I believe, a simple arithmetic function. Twice the distance from the pivot point requires twice the power to lift. There is an additional factor which comes to play with a loader though. The geometry of the loader and cylinder changes as the load is lifted and generally loaders are optimized to get stuff off the ground rather than lift to full height so the trigonometry means that the cylinder cannot provide the same lifting power all the way from ground to top.

 

[mx1alex]

 

[dirtymartini]

As promised...first grapple picture. I had to make a few trips back and forth to the place that made my hydraulic lines to get the right fittings so I was running out of daylight by the time I got to try it out.

 

[dirtymartini]

As promised...first grapple picture. I had to make a few trips back and forth to the place that made my hydraulic lines to get the right fittings so I was running out of daylight by the time I got to try it out.

View attachment 446981

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

View attachment 446974

Antlers through the tines. Ingenious! I thought at first you had speared it!

 

[Rustyiron]

Nice, well worth all those parts trips!

 

[kminnick]

View attachment 446974

How did you catch that deer with your grapple?

 

[mx1alex]

How did you catch that deer with your grapple?

Kubotas are just that awesome!

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

No question that the farther the load is from the pivot point the greater the force needed to lift. However it is, I believe, a simple arithmetic function. Twice the distance from the pivot point requires twice the power to lift. There is an additional factor which comes to play with a loader though. The geometry of the loader and cylinder changes as the load is lifted and generally loaders are optimized to get stuff off the ground rather than lift to full height so the trigonometry means that the cylinder cannot provide the same lifting power all the way from ground to top.

Yes, thanks! Makes sense that it is a linear relationship now.
I asked the original question about the rock weight because I would have guessed a little lighter and wondered if I needed to "recalibrate" my guestimator.

 

[dirtymartini]

Got to try out my new grapple on Sunday...thanks to everyone who who suggested I get this Attachment.

 

[dirtymartini]

Got to try out my new grapple on Sunday...thanks to everyone who who suggested I get this Attachment.

 

[k0ua]

Looks like you are getting some good use out of it so far!

 

[ThatServerGuy]

Don't really have any working pics of my grapple but here is my Blue Diamond 66" Dual lid root grapple on my LS XR 4145H

 

[lostcreekranch]

Don't really have any working pics of my grapple but here is my Blue Diamond 66" Dual lid root grapple on my LS XR 4145H <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/447919-grappling-fun-picture-thread-img_0244-jpg"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/447920-grappling-fun-picture-thread-img_0246-jpg"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/447921-grappling-fun-picture-thread-img_0247-jpg"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/447922-grappling-fun-picture-thread-img_0248-jpg"/>

Looks great! What is the jaw opening on your BD Grapple?

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[ThatServerGuy]

Looks great! What is the jaw opening on your BD Grapple?

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Good question... I have not measured it.. It gets wide enough for all the things I have needed it for thus far..

 

[streamin]

Nice thread, so I was looking at the difference of a root vs regular grapple. It looks like it holds more brush with the long bottom but how about the way the tines curve up at the tips? Is it harder to get lets' say under a log or under something flat on the ground since it is a couple inches up? I know you can tilt it down but then you have to roll up on the whole thing. Is this an issue or not?

 

[4570Man]

My grapple is worth every cent it cost plus some.

 

[reddragon774]

Where does the hyd for grapple hook to .....

 

[4570Man]

Where does the hyd for grapple hook to .....

There is more than one way to skin this cat. I have a third function grapple hydraulic kit. Some of the other methods don't allow you to curl the grapple and close the the grapple at the same time. I wouldn't give up this option. It is extremely nice being able to do both.

 

[IslandTractor]

There is more than one way to skin this cat. I have a third function grapple hydraulic kit. Some of the other methods don't allow you to curl the grapple and close the the grapple at the same time. I wouldn't give up this option. It is extremely nice being able to do both.

I've been using a grapple for ten years on two tractors, neither of which had a third function valve. Never missed it, not once. I can barely imagine a setting where it wold be important to curl/dump and open/close the grapple simultaneously. In any case, it is possible to do virtually anything with a grapple using either a diverter valve or rear remotes. I've used both and have a slight preference for rear remotes so long as the control valve is conveniently located near the FEL joystick. Nothing against third function but for someone working with a budget the rear remote is certainly a very reasonable option. Diverter has no advantage over third function other than price.

While true that commercial equipment like excavators use true third function valves, the other two options are certainly viable and less expensive. Also, for the DYI owner adding a grapple, the rear remote setup takes all of 10-15 minutes to connect and can be done for $100-200 in hoses, quick connects and zip ties. Compare to $600-1000 for diverter or third function plus an afternoon of labor.

There are pros and cons to each of the three options but all are viable means of controlling a grapple.