Homemade Grapple

[sammymac77]

I've been trying to find plans or templates for a homemade grapple. I've been taking measurements off skid-steer grapples and measuring my quick connect on my Kubota tractor. I found this video on youtube. If I had some measurements/templates this video would be a perfect how-to on building one.

My Grapple Bucket - YouTube
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[texasranger556]

How big is your tractor? The grapple in the video is pretty nice but probably weighs several hundred pounds, so take into account your lift capacity and what you want to lift when designing yours. Also note the cylinders in the video are tee'd, so they must both meet resistance before either will squeeze your load or open all the way. Some may prefer it that way, but I'd rather they move in unison. That can be achieved with a single cylinder design, a flow divider, or connecting the "claws" together mechanically.

I've been toying with the idea of a single grapple arm that includes both male and female JD quick attach so that I could use it with my quick attach pallet forks or swap the forks for my bucket.

Make sure to post your progress!

 

[sammymac77]

My tractor is about the same size as the one in the video. I like the tee'd design because you're not always going to grab something that is the same size on both sides. Like a pile of brush for example. Mainly I just need some plans or templates.

 

[Leejohn]

It's a nice unit all right and he done a great job on it, but I think it's to big.

 

[lloyd430]

I made a couple a couple of years ago, I'll have to dig up pictures - I made mine to go on top of my bucket. I ran into the same problems as you asa far as finding plans. I ended up making full size templates out of luan that way I could get everything lined up. I could also get the strike right ! But I will tell you I bought 2 cylinders on Amazon 3" bore 16" stroke WAY TOO BIG, but I got both of them shipped to me total for $53 total I think someone a amazon screwed up!

 

[Jeepnford]

I built what I guess you would call a brush grapple a few years ago out of 1/2 inch steel for the tines. It was similar in size to the youtube one. I'm not sure what size tractor you have but my grapple was really too heavy for my Case DX35. I sold it to a guy I know with a larger farm tractor. You might get by with fewer tines to reduce weight or possible 3/8 inch steel for tines. If you don't find plans I suggest following Lloyd's advice and making templates out of luan, I usually do that when I make something. The cylinders I used for my brush grapple and a bolt on bucket grapple I built both used a 6 inch stroke.

 

[Sodo]

Boyd boyd boyd ..... pics or it didn't happen!

 

[lloyd430]

Not sure if this was directed to me but here are some pics

As you can see I currently don't have it on-it is handy as all **** when I do use it!

 

[Oldpath05]

Yup that was good grapple build, I watched it 3 times just so I could listen to the song, whatever it was.

 

[tvman]

Yup that was good grapple build, I watched it 3 times just so I could listen to the song, whatever it was.

Oldpath, I sure am glad you posted. I've been trying to find where I heard this music for weeks!Wife thinks I am nuts.

Anyone have a clue to the name of the song?

 

[N2DFire]

Oldpath, I sure am glad you posted. I've been trying to find where I heard this music for weeks!Wife thinks I am nuts.

Anyone have a clue to the name of the song?

 

[tvman]

Thanks N2D, shortly after I posted I clicked on the u-tube video and read the whole intro where he gave credit for the music. Sad thing is that the artist passed away a few years ago from brain cancer. He was only 57.
Thanks again.

 

[N2DFire]

Thanks N2D, shortly after I posted I clicked on the u-tube video and read the whole intro where he gave credit for the music. Sad thing is that the artist passed away a few years ago from brain cancer. He was only 57.
Thanks again.

Well I have a confession to make, that's where I found it too.

I just did a search to find the one I posted to make sure it was the right thing.

Very sad about the artist, I hadn't had a chance to dig into him more yet.

 

[Oldpath05]

I had to email my daughter down Va. last night to see if she had a way of finding that tune, she found it. It has that ghostly mournfully sound to it, kinda like half hillbilly and bluegrass. I like it, you wont hear that on radio unless maybe satilite radio, good tune to build a grapple with. The title "It's raining the Blues" but why does it say for "Bill Monroe"?

 

[Ripplexprem]

Such a prof grapple, i enjoyed watching this video!

 

[tvman]

I had to email my daughter down Va. last night to see if she had a way of finding that tune, she found it. It has that ghostly mournfully sound to it, kinda like half hillbilly and bluegrass. I like it, you wont hear that on radio unless maybe satilite radio, good tune to build a grapple with. The title "It's raining the Blues" but why does it say for "Bill Monroe"?

Thanks Oldpath, I didn't quite understand the the Bill Monroe part either. I just assume it was a sign of respect for him.

That grapple you built was beautiful. I built one similar using a land pride as a reference. I should have put gussets between the tines like you did though.

I kept bending my tines while moving some big rocks so last week I cut them off and welded a piece of 1/2" steel across them and welded on nine bucket teeth.

Funny story though, My neighbor lost a huge oak tree last year and 2 days ago I saw him and his dad starting to clean up the mess. I noticed they were sawing off the limbs and were using a small atv to pull them to the back yard so I offered them the use of my tractor and grapple and within about 4 hours they had cleaned up the entire mess.

Needless to say they were very appreciative and amazed what they could accomplish with this combination.

 

[ovrszd]

Everyone's expectations are different in regards to a Grapple. I wanted the most versatility. I started by building the grapple on the FEL frame. I could switch buckets, etc., and the claws stayed with the FEL. Immediately realized that wasn't a good idea. So I bought a used Bobcat LoPro bucket and moved the double claw grapple to that. Can grip a very large pile of brush. Or odd sized objects such as rocks. Or haul a bucket of loose material. No change of tool required.

Tines are built from 1/2"x4" flatbar. Cylinders are 2"x8". I use the snot out of it. Had to recently rebuild the claw hinges. I didn't use bushings in the beginning, just swiveled the flatbar on pins.

 

[tvman]

Everyone's expectations are different in regards to a Grapple. I wanted the most versatility. I started by building the grapple on the FEL frame. I could switch buckets, etc., and the claws stayed with the FEL. Immediately realized that wasn't a good idea. So I bought a used Bobcat LoPro bucket and moved the double claw grapple to that. Can grip a very large pile of brush. Or odd sized objects such as rocks. Or haul a bucket of loose material. No change of tool required.

Tines are built from 1/2"x4" flatbar. Cylinders are 2"x8". I use the snot out of it. Had to recently rebuild the claw hinges. I didn't use bushings in the beginning, just swiveled the flatbar on pins.




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Very impressive, sure have those front tires squatted.

 

[ovrszd]

Very impressive, sure have those front tires squatted.

If you add a Grapple to your FEL you will test it to the maximum as well as the front axle/tires of your tractor. I've carried many loads with one rear tire off the ground.

 

[mhoun]

I have a John Deere 245 loader for a John Deere 2240 Tractor. The loader has a grapple on it, there is a cage on top of the grapple that I would like to remove, need tines for the grapple, would like shorter tines. It has a hydraulic cylinder which I know I will either have to replace or move. see that attachment, just wondering if I cut the grapple arm will it be ok.