Low Buck grapple build

[alchemysa]

I am going to try and economicaly set it up with two buttons on the floorboard by the brake pedals, one for opening and one for closing as described in some of my earlier post, wish me luck.

2 buttons on the floor? Sounds complicated to me but I've never used those types of buttons. I'm not so proficient with mine that I feel that I need to work the bucket and grapple at the same time. Maybe if I could work them together then I might like it. I just dunno. I do know that my present lever set-up is nice and simple. Push lever up, grapple goes up. Push lever down, grapple goes down. If those foot pedals were side by side I think I'd always hit the wrong one.

 

[6sunset6]

wow looked for small screen video. Turns out there are many many systems 12dc for rear view backing up that would work but the really nice one was one that is used for backing up to a hitch. Don't know how it would work for a wider angle though.
Color Rearview Systems
Backup Camera Systems for Any Car - Truck or SUV! Cameras, Monitors, Backup Sensors, Backup Systems

Sorry , Cannot seem to copy as a link will have to work on that

 

[6sunset6]

huh seemed to convert to a hot link by itself.

 

[Ryan03]

I bought some more items for the grapple today, two 8ft. 4000 psi 3/8 hyd hoses at TSC., 19.95 ea. and one 3/8 x 18 in hose, $8.00, and 4 3/4 to 3/8 npt reducer bushings. As it turns out, the reducer bushings were not the correct size, 3/4 is too big, and 1/2 is too small, so I am thinking 5/8 to 3/8 is what I need, but when I go to the hardware store this time, I am taking the valve in with me so that I buy the correct stuff. I did some rethinking on the position of the grapple control, because if I were too put the controls on the right floorboard, I could not use the brakes while using the grapple. I think that I am going to use a momentary on off on toggle switch similar in design and operation too an old fashioned meyers snowplow power angle control switch, Napa stocks these and they are only 6 bucks, and for another 4 bucks, I can get a rubber boot for the switch to make it weather resistant. I am now thinking about mounting the switch to the loader control joystick.

 

[Ryan03]

I finished grapple today, it works better than I ever could have imagined, tried to get video of it tonight, but batteries were dead in vid. camera, wife took pic with digital camera, and tried to take vid. with it too, but it came out so blurry that I dont want to post it. The vid camera is charging now, and I will post vid clips of grapple in action tomorrow weather permitting

 

[BTDT]

When you started thread, Low buck grapple build, back in march, I think you said you had about $162 in it. How did the final total compare to that? Looks like you saved a bundle and have a fine working implement/attachment.

 

[Ryan03]

final cost was 370 dollars, this includes the steel, welding rod, fittings, hoses, and hyd. control valve. check out the video link in the owning operating section

 

[Kendrick]

another thought to seeing the bucket is a bike mirror mounted on the nose or arms that will show the bucket. if you keep it removable you could also keep it from being killed all the time