Neal's Root Rake Grapple

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

same pile in grapple

Notice, the tree sticking out the front

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Another grapple full

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

One hour progress report.

I have only gotten out of the tractor to take a total of 18 pictures.

Have cleared over 50'.

Is not hauled off yet, but this is another nice feature of this grapple. You can move a load, set it down, and when you go back, it will have been crushed the first time to a smaller pile & the second time is normally easier, so you don't mind setting down a load.

 

[JerryG]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

<font color="blue">One hour progress report.</font>
Progress like that is well worth the time and expense to build it. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Junkman]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

That grapple is going to put a serious dent in your getting seat time. It works so fast, you will still have time for a 6 pack before the sun goes down... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Looks and performs great. Have you considered making plans to distribute to all your TBN friends????

 

[Bluecheck546]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

All I can say is........ WHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wonder how much the materials cost? AVESOME JOB!

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Hi Junkman,

Time wise, I now have hopes of getting this place cleaned up someday.

On plans, I mostly build as I go. Might make template out of cardboard or wood, just to see how it would match up to another part, and then use it to mark off the shape on steel.

As I posted on another thread, I don't think anyone would be best served, by trying to build exactly like mine, because I built to fit something I already had & steel I could use without buying. As in the picture above labeled "Rear view unmounted" the orange portion was a tool bar that I built it to fit, to keep from having to build that portion again. May not have been the best course to take, but is what I did.

So you see, this one has a double quick disconnect.

I certainly want to share though, because if not for others on tbn, I would probably not have been inspired to try this.

I think the one SKEPTIC posted was the one that pushed me over the hump. His may be the one he offered cad plans for a plasma cutter to cut it out, but then I would have to buy metal. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Can you hear me squeeking. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[MicroPilot]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Any idea how much this weighs?

 

[ocaj11]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Neal,

Awesome, looking piece of equipment. That is exactly what I am looking for. The AnBo grapple that looks very similar to yours costs $3300 dollars on ebay before shipping. Your's looks every bit as useful. I'm copying all of your pictures for reference when I decide to build one this winter. All I need to do is find some steel somewhere. Can you tell us what size the hydraulic cylinders are and comment on the power your grapple has to hold things once they are picked up?? I really like that design because the cylinders are hidden behind the rake which should do a nice job protecting them from damage. I may be contacting you through TBN when I'm ready because I would love to drive down and take a look in person and get some design pointers from you.

Thanks so much for posting the pics. Good Job!!!

 

[RHughes]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Most Excellent!!
I've been giving serious thought to building one of those for my TN. I've got *lots* of fence row to clean and that looks like it does the trick! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RedRocker]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

I'm wanting to build one too, I don't have anything to put it on just yet.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Do not know the weight.

My goal was to build it lighter than the anbo, but as strong.

I used smaller where I thought I could get away with it.

Also spread the teeth a little.

Had to add additional 40 lbs the other day, but I think it is still considerable less than 800 lbs.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

I am very pleased with the grapple power.

So far havn't found anything it can't hold.

The claws are welded to 2"x1/4 wall x59" long sq tube. When something is only hitting the center teeth, it bows the sq tube. So far it has always returned. I try to watch it, because I am afraid it will bend it badly if I were to close too hard. I have been thinking about adding a truss to it with solid web so brush won't hang in it. This makes me wonder where the next weakest point might be.

It punches holes through air conditioner cabinets as if they were news paper or just crushes the whole thing if you don't get off of it.

Somewhere on tbn, I think I posted a picture where it was holding 3 pieces of concrete, in sandwich fashion, where only 1 grapple tooth was touching a maybe 200 lb piece of concrete. I couldn't believe it. Turned it down & it still stayed. Cut the tractor off, went for camera and then took picture.

I had to rebuild my hinge which was spanning about 5" with a 1" pin and it bent the 1" pins. Works good now though.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Forgot to answer this part.

the cylinders are 3x8.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

I was thinking I saw a price on a 6' anbo model for about 2650.00 plus freight, but figured I would still have to make it fit my loader.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Mostly depends on where you start from.

From where I started, not much over 300.00

 

[hazmat]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Lookin' good Neal. How's the hinge holding up? Did you shorten the span?

 

[ns_in_tex]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Hi Hasmat,

My hinge hasn't given any more problems since I redid it.

No, instead of shortening the span, I took a sucker rod coupling, drilled it out to 1", installed 2 grease zerts on each arm & welded to either side of the grapple and made the hinge almost full width of the span.

I think that is one problem solved.

Attached is picture of the new hinge. Not shown, on the back side I put braces welded both to the center piece and the additional width of the hinge.

 

[GeneD14]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

I am impressed! You did a very nice job designing and building your grapple. It is amazing how much brush you can move with that in a very short time.
I can see why you "don't mess with Texas."

 

[wayne186]

Re: Neal\'s Root Rake Grapple

Neal,

this looks fantastic (more flowers for you) I would love to make something up myself just like this. Is there any way you could list the dimensions of the metal you used? I could try to draw an exploded view of what you have from the pictures and maybe ask you to fill in the blanks. I can do the images and send them over to you for sizes.. I know you said it was retro fit for your tractor and anybody else wanting to do something similar would also have to do this. I am looking for a starting point and since I have no experience with this but have many uses for it lined up.. like the fact that I am tired of sifting through tons of earth to get to the brush I am clearing I would really appreciate your help. I would be looking to make something that will fit on my case 90hp tractor that already has a front loader on it.

I am also thinking of making up a 'gripper' for the 3point hitch to try and get rid of a lot of roots I have left in my soil as a result of me clearing some of my land so I can turn it into pasture for raising cattle. Have you done anything like this or do you have any ideas of how to remove roots from a large amount of land?

Cheers

Wayne