My Grapple Project (part 1)

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Part 3 - Back on track

I shortened the rear cylinder mount and tacked it in place. (pic 11)

 

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Part 3 - Back on track)

Next I inserted the square tubing through the center arm. I also made 3 pins to replace the long drift pin used earlier. (pic 13)

 

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Part 3 - Back on track

I also added a center rail mount and drilled 2 holes in the top of the bucket to secure the mount. Jim, you can see that I mounted my toothbar, getting ready for the final adjustments.(pic 15)

 

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Part 3 - Back on track)

I know everyone was concerned that I may weld my grease fitting holes closed, so just to satisfy your curiosity /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. (pic 14)

 

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Part 3 - Back on track)

Next, over to the welding table for some serious welding. I started this project using my Lincoln AC/DC welder and I was so frustrated over the “L” shaped arm dilemma that I vented my frustrations by buying a Millermatic 251 mig welder /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. I feel a lot better now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Big Blue does a mighty fine job!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif(pic16)

 

[kubotabilly]

Part 3 - Back on track

Boy, I feel good /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. It was a vacation day well spent /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. That's it for today everyone, more tomorrow night. I'm going to reply to several previous posts and call it a night.

PS> Here's what I felt like doing last night to the neighbors JD 585 /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.

Bill

 

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RedRocker,
I gave the wrong Miller Plasma cutter number in one on my previous posts, it should of been the 375 plasma cutter. The 375 is not a cnc setup but it's a great machine.

Bill

 

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Steven,
And pics you shall have /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. I think I have things back on track /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bill

 

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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have done some work on the geometry of the grapple arm and cylinder pivot locations. I wrote a simple spreadsheet to allow me to plug in placement values and it will compute my cylinder stroke. )</font>

WhiteRock,
Jim said in a previous post that he "envys people with a work shop". I envy people like yourself that have brains to figure out problems. I'm no dummy but I do most of my projects by the old trial and error method. I do appreciate your offer on the spreadsheet perhaps I can make future changes that would benefit me. I'll PM you my email address. As far as the number of cylinders, I'm using one and I did think of mounting 2 outside the arms as you suggest, but I would of had to make my grapple wider and I really didn't want the extra weight.

 

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Dan,
I was going to buy my cylinder from Northern but then I found the same thing at TSC fro the same price. Here's a thought on hydraulic hose routing. Hydraulic hoses are like extension cords, they have a memory. Just rout them where you want them and let them hang that way for a few days and presto, they will always return to the way you originaly placed them. Having your grapple open wide enough is the toughest part of the design. All I can say is keep looking at all those grapple pictures and keep looking at posts on this website and with a little bit of help from above your grapple will work the way you want it to /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

PS> I have enough grapple photos that I can heat my house for 1/2 of next winter /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bill