Homebuilt grapple/toothbar

BigAl · Feb 21, 2005

Ok guy's, here is my grapple / tooth bar I have been designing and building in my spare time over the last few months . Sorry about the picture not being larger . I can't figure out how to get the picture size right to show the whole unit at one time .
In the closed position it acts as a tooth bar . The two outside grapple jaws close on the outside ends of my 72" stock loader bucket and keep it from sifting sideways .These jaws are made from 3/4" T-1 steel plate . The bottom of each grapple jaw is notched to sit on the factory bucket cutting edge . This takes all the pressure off the hydraulic ram when it is closed and when I use it to help break out dirt,rock or whatever I'm digging at the time.The dirt easily passes between the grapple jawsand does not hang up .I also wanted the ability to "back drag" using the cutting edge on the front bucket without leaving tooth marks . By opening the grapple jaw I am able to accomplish this perfectly .I have replacable teeth that will be installed after painting is done .
I curved the grapple jaws and serrated the inside edge to give it more gripping power when using it as a grapple. The grapple is opened and closed by one centered 2500 psi hydraulic ram which is attached to a solid 2" steel rod . I welded a 3/8" steel mounting plate on the center rear of the bucket to attach the ram . My rear remote valve controls the functions . One problem I encountered was to much crushing strength on the jaws which would bend the 2" rod , the ram was hooked to . I solved this problem by installing a adjustable pressure relief valve on the hydraulic valve . The whole unit is mounted to my bucket with 4- 1/2"bolts through 3/8" mounting plates on each end of the bucket . It weighs in at about 250 pounds .
I have tested this thing on anything and everything I can find and it just grabs it ,shakes it , tears it up and wants more . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
So, all I have left to do is paint it orange ,reinstall it and slap a "Kioti" sticker on it . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Big Al

Taylortractornut · Feb 21, 2005

Big AL I never thought of using a grapple as the tooth bar to lol. its ingenious I used to run a trackloader and a wheel loader that had a demolitions bucket that had a profilemore like skid loaders bucket andthe front on the grapple was recessed to the radius of a dozer blade. when closed you couldbetter push your material into a pile for easier loading then grab onto it. It was more suited to demolition work than the 4 in 1 's we used.

BigAl · Feb 21, 2005

I'm sorry about the lousy incomplete picture ! I just can't seem to get a complete picture of the thing to attach to my post . If anybody wants a better complete picture, PM me and i'll send you one by email if you leave me your email address.
big Al

dummy · Feb 22, 2005

That looks great. Fanatstic idea. Did you do all of the cutting work too? Could we get an installed picture?

BigAl · Feb 22, 2005

I had the jaws cut down at the metal fabicators in town .They have a computer that they can cut any design you want .A good friend and myself did all the welding . You can lay any one of the eight jaws over the top of each other and they all are exactly the same ! I mocked up my design using a piece of thin plywood until I got the desired result . I don't have the tractor here in California right now and will be taking the grapple to Idaho ,when I go in April ,back to my ranch . I had taken it off to paint and finish and ended up moving the tractor to idaho where it is being used . I'll post a picture when I get it reinstalled in April . Oh yea ! total cost ? about 750 bucks.
Big Al

BigAl · Feb 22, 2005

Thanks to fellow TBN member Ron Hall I now have a better picture to show you of the grapple/toothbar. Ron! Thanks for all the help .
Big Al

dummy · Feb 23, 2005

April? That's almost like making a kid wait until Christmas!
Actually, I can visualize just how handy that will be, except for maybe the buried treasure items that won't fit between the teeth. You oughta consider getting it patented (trademarked?, copyrighted?) might be worth something in the rest of the tractor world.

Scozz · Feb 23, 2005

What an awesome idea! Might consider trying something like that myself ...Scozz

BigAl · Feb 23, 2005

I had actually thought about a patent at one time . I'm 52 and spend most of my time on my old ranch up in Idaho trying to get the old ranch back in shape.I have already retired and its kinda nice to plan my days as I want . I had the ranch logged and decided I needed a grapple for clean up . Then I decided I wanted a toothbar ! But then I wanted my bucket!!! So this just kinda came about in the middle of the night . The wife thought I was having a heart attack when I jumped outta bed in the middle of the night and started drawing this thing out . She thought I was making up a quick will ! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
My nieghbor saw it in action and wants one made and one of the local Concrete contractors wants one to . It will fit on just about any bucket design that I tried it on . You just got to shorten the lenght to your bucket width. I did keep all the computer design information and it is with the Welding shop that computer cut the jaws for me . So if any of "big" tractor company's want the designs ,bring "money" and "oh yea" Boots and Gloves to help clean up the old ranch . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Big Al

drmiller100 · Mar 6, 2005

This thing is so cool. I've been thinking about it for a week now, and will be building one.

I've got a little bobcat, and figure that I only need 4 teeth, hence 4 bars.

How thick of steel do I need? Suggestions?