My Grapple Build/Install

[wvpolekat]

Figured I would start a thread here for my grapple build and install for that portion of it. There has already been some discussion in the hydraulics forum for that part of it.

I ordered my grapple from Greens Machine Shop

I picked up a piece of 6x4x3/8 steel from Valley Supply in Dailey, WV for $45.00, cut to length. GREAT service from them.

Then some 9/16 grade 8 bolts and nuts from Lowes.

We had to bevel the ends of the angle iron to fit over existing welds on the bucket.

The "level indicator" was torched off as well. The angle iron reinforcement was the same size and will serve the same purpose.

Once the angle iron was fitting well, the paint was ground off the bucket where it would sit.

4 holes were torched in the angle iron to mount the grapple mount. Once bolted down in place, the nuts were welded in place since they would not be accessible once it was installed. Notches had to be cut in the curl in the top edge of the bucket to fit 2 of them.

We also cut 2 notches in the angle iron to allow for drainage.

The front corners and the back edge of the angle iron were then welded in place.

The top of the bucket was not perfectly straight. A farm jack and some scrap 1" steel were used to bring the bucket lip and angle iron into alignment.

A series of 3-4" welds were done along both edges of the angle iron to completely secure it.

We also welded 2 hooks on to the angle iron, just because.

Now, for the pictures!

Not sure what happened to this one, but here it is from the left side:

From the right front:

From the front:

Looking down at the back:

The awesome blister I got when the steel rolled over past the top of the cuff on the glove:

Next weekend, we will be mounting the valve and measuring for hoses.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Can't wait to see how you mount the valve and the switch on the joy stick.
I hope to steal your ideas.

 

[wvpolekat]

Minor update, but my phone was dead, so no pics right now. I will get some next weekend when I go back to the inlaws. I am trading tractor usage for his help with the welding and such, so it's living with them right now.

Painted all the new bits on the bucket using Valspar "Autumn Crush" from Lowe's. Very pleased with the finish and color match.

Fabricated a mount for the valve out of a piece of 3x10x1/8 steel. It has 2 1/2" holes at one end that are used to mount it to a couple of the mounting bolts for the horizontal brace for the brush guard. Then 4 1/4" holes for the valve to mount to. The valve ends up mounting just below and in front of the loader valve between the tractor and the loader frame. It is well protected from brush and such. Also painted it with the Valspar Orange paint. I am a little big concerned with the rigidity of this mount, but I think it will be ok.

Ordered all my hoses and some other electrical odds and ends from Surplus Center. Decided to go with quick disconnects at the valve for loader removal as well as quick disconnects out by the bucket as well for future uses of the front remotes. With the quick connects at the valve, I could still make use of it for something without the loader, like a front snow plow or similar.

Next up is to fabricate a "hood" that will go on top of the loader handle/valve cover. This will house the master on/off switch and some of the wiring. It will also provide room for more switches for aux lighting.

Everything that we have done so far, with the exception of the welded on bucket reinforcements, can be removed. No new holes or welding directly to the tractor. This was important to me, since I am not real big on permanent modifications unless there is no other choice.

 

[/pine]

...Decided to go with quick disconnects at the valve...

[just an observation when I was working out the logistics of my grapple plumbing...]

when I was acquiring the parts I needed for my bucket grapple...I realized the diameter of the female (main part) of QD's would not allow two of them to be installed directly into the valve's working ports using the same fittings...i.e., the physical size (diameter) of the pieces hit each other...the ports on my Prince (wolverene series) are too close together for most of th QD's I looked at...

If I wanted to install QD's directly on my valve I would have had to elevate one or the other which would have made it difficult to get to the lower one for connecting/disconnecting etc...

I went with bulkhead fitting and moved the QD's...

 

[wvpolekat]

Ok, more progress. This time I have pictures!

Today, we built a metal box that will go on top of the cover on the loader valve. On this, I will be mounting a toggle switch to be a master on/off for the electrical side of the grapple circuit. Just as a safety measure. It will also have 2 other switches, one for front lights, one for rear lights. There is room in it as well for any relays that may be needed. It is basically weather tight.

Last project for the day was to make a "lock" for the grapple cylinder for transport and such. It is just a piece of flat steel that goes over the cylinder pins when it is retracted. It can be put on or off in just a few seconds.

All that is left now is wiring and plumbing.

Now for the pictures!


RAWR! Yes, I feel the need to make that sound when operating it.

Here you can see the "lock"

This is the box we built to house the switches and electrics

Here is the valve as viewed from the top/front:

The valve from the side:

The valve from the front:

There was a delay on the hoses due to a family crisis that had to come first.

 

[kennyd]

Nice job WV:thumbsup:

 

[wdchyd]

Now THATS a Grapple.....Awesome work.....looks great!.....keep the pics coming:thumbsup:

 

[J_J]

Nice work, thanks for the pictures.

 

[wvpolekat]

And now, the moment none of you have been waiting for! The complete writeup of the project!

9.77 MB PDF File