Grapple Loader Grapple Upgrade

[Wayne_Freeman]

Having a bad back is sufficient motivation to add a grapple to my Koyker 160 Loader. I purchased the machined parts and cylinder from a fellow member, got the spool valve on e-bay and the hoses and adapters from Northern Tool. It was necessary to beef up the loader mounting surface with some 4" channel iron. A day and a half later I can pick up a lot of things that used to require getting off the tractor. Here is a pic taken before painting the unit. If you are interested in more info I would be glad to help.

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

Try the pic again!

 

[AndyMA]

Wayne

Looks great. I'm sure you'll get lots of use. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Andy

 

[bills47172]

more pics please, i plan on makeing some thing like this also

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

A few more pics!

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

The controls pic

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

One more pic

 

[stuart]

Looks great and surely very useful. How much did this setup cost? If you do not mind revealing same.

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

The grapple with cylinder was $415 delivered. Spool valve, hoses, adapters and bolts were about $190.

 

[DaGoatMan]

I really could use that at my place. I have lots of logs that need moving as well as smaller stuff to move to brush piles. Nice job. I am sure it is a real back saver.

 

[JoelT]

I bit the bullet (BIG bullet) and bought a 4310 stick w/ reverser yesterday to replace my old TO20 Ferguson. Thought I'd get it today but a once available 4in1 bucket was sold and now they're looking. Question though is - It seems added controls for grapples and 4in1's are placed on the right next to the FEL control. I'd think on the left would give easier two hand operation. Am I missing something?

Thanks

Joel

 

[jinman]

Wayne, with that cylinder hooked up so far out on the grapple, you must have tremendous grip. Have you ever unintentionally crushed anything? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

I suppose you could mount the controls wherever they work best for you. This thing could certainly crunch an object but all I have done so far is pick up all those fallen limbs on the property. Those were those limbs I dreaded messing with!

 

[Boiler74]

Looks like we have the same grapple - except mine is painted green! Got mine off ebay as well. Works great, but I've already bent mine a little. Got a little aggressive, and bent one of the grapple tines out just a little. But it works great. I ran lines back to my rear SCV, and it's second nature now to pick up large limbs and small trees. Took out a lot of fence the other day, and it made picking up the rolled up fence a breeze.

Now if I could only figure out how to attach my chainsaw to the FEL, I'd have it made.

J.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Wayne, does the grapple get in the way of loading dirt, etc. in any way? Looks like it might not be up and out of the way when going into a pile. Also, I'd like to make sure of how you attached it. It's the grapple on channel on the bucket, right? Thanks, John

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

The grapple raises high enough to be clear for loading dirt but it might be in the way of obstacles. You can take it off with three pins and two quick disconnects. The channel iron is under the top of the loader because the top of the loader is really not that strong. Here is a pic of the 4" channel iron.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The channel iron is under the top of the loader because the top of the loader is really not that strong. Here is a pic of the 4" channel iron. )</font> Okay, so is that a piece of wood under the actual grapple? John

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

Yep, that is two pieces of 1" oak spacers. They may or may not be permanent. In the full down position right now the grapple is about 3" below the loader lip. Obviously with the spacers out it would be 5". Probably not that significant either way.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Thanks for the responses Wayne. It looks like a real work saver and I sure will consider doing one myself. Thanks for sharing. John