Loader New Grapple Build! Let me know what you think

[TomSeller]

The material is free!

Great! Look forward to seeing your build.

 

[slharman1]

Great! Look forward to seeing your build.

I am planning on getting the material ordered tomorrow at work.
I'll try to remember to document the build.

 

[jb1390]

Thanks for all the help!

MossRoad:
Thanks for the link to the Metal Store, I will check them out and see if I want to build my own bushing or by some.

jb1390:
I really appreciate all of the suggestions, here is some more information:

1. I haven't modeled the ss adapter yet but I will build it as well. The back of the grapple frame is approx 19 1/4" so I could move the bottom frame up a bit and round the corner or remove some more metal on the bottom of the tines - is this what you are referring to?

2. The holes are for weight savings, I will probably make them bigger, my tines are 3" tall, what size holes do you think I can get away with?

3. My tractor adapter plate is vertical when tilted all the way up. My design is titled at 80 degrees right now. Some of the grapples I looked at were tilted at 75 degrees. So I will do that. do you think that is sufficient?

4. My tines are currently 3/8" thick, I was planning on changing them to 3/8" and using Hardvox - didn't know the name but I was researching steel strength and found some stuff while at work, don't remember the name of it but it used for building excavator implements and such. If I use that do you think I can really get away with 1/4" instead of 5/16"?

5. I know is sounds lazy but I had the 1" pipe already modeled, I was planning on using 1" bar - do you think I should use a 2" pipe instead?

6.I will be using it to move logs, brush and debris, loading it in trailers or to the burn pile. In addition, I will be using it for help with stump removal. Right now the back side of the upper front tine is 1 3/8" from the leading edge of the lower tines. will this be ok for my use?

7. I will probably make my bushing with some DOM tubing like MossRoad suggested if the fit to the pin is tight, i think I want them removable but now I am questioning the necessity of that. I am not sure I need them removable now.

8. for third function I was planning on going over to Hyvair since they are about 5 min. from the house and see if I can talk them out of a valve. I would then either buy my loader handle or make that as well. I don't think I like the scorpion handle as much as the one from WR Long. still thinking about it.

I am using Solidworks but I only have about 9 months experience on it so I am not sure how to do the analysis - any help with that would be appreciated as well.
My model is 54" long and without the ss adapter on it I am right around 275 so I would like to take a little more weight out since I am putting it on a Mahindra 2538.
I can send you the model if you have solidworks 2016.

Thanks again for all the help!
Let me know what you think.
I will modify the model and upload again hopefully today.
slharman1

Regarding tine thickness, I think you could easily get away with 1/4" tines if you used hardox 450. The stuff is crazy strong. That being said, analysis will tell you what you need to know there. It's an add-on in Solidworks. I only have Solidworks 2015, so I wouldn't be able to open your model.

Regarding the tilt angle - that largely depends on the intended use. For firewood, you'd want it to tilt back far. For brush, tiltback isn't even needed. Also, the further you tilt it back, the worse your dump angle. So it's a give and take, depending on your primary uses for it.

Could you get Hardox for free also, or do you just have access to mild steel at no cost?

I'd run some analysis on your grapple claw to make sure you size the piston appropriately and are happy with jaw clamp force. The easy way to do that is to set a distance in SW, then measure the distance between claw and lower teeth. Then change the distance 1", and remeasure. You'll then have a ratio of cylinder movement to claw movement. Remember that the geometry will change some as the claw moves, so you might want to try this at a few different positions. Once you have the ratio, you divide you cylinder force by the ratio, and you'll get jaw force.

 

[EddieWalker]

Really like how you are able to create those images. I like how you have it reinforced now. I don't think the teeth do anything and wouldn't waste my time creating them. They don't hurt anything either, it's just something that looks cool, but doesn't actually accomplish anything.

 

[4570Man]

Really like how you are able to create those images. I like how you have it reinforced now. I don't think the teeth do anything and wouldn't waste my time creating them. They don't hurt anything either, it's just something that looks cool, but doesn't actually accomplish anything.

The teeth would be semi useful in their pictured condition. They would be more useful with a mating tooth plate at the bottom.

 

[Redneck in training]

Ok,

I hope I am posting in the right location.View attachment 499145

So i finally got my design moving along and I was thinking you guys could help make any necessary changes while it's still in the design stage.
Any and all comments would be appreciated.

The grapple will be 50" long and have an opening of right at 40", I have my tines spaced at right at 9" to help keep the weight down.

I am putting it my Mahindra 2538HST.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

I would replace the square pipe in the jaw with round tube. It seems to me that the square pipe could be a weak point in the jaw. I think round tubes are also torsionally stiffer.

 

[LD1]

I like the gussets on the tines alot better now. So no worries there.

Dont know if its just the pic being deceiving, but the round tube still looks too small compared to most other grapples.

I'll be down to the shop later today I'll measure mine.

 

[LD1]

I just checked mine and that support tube/pipe out nearest the tines is almost 3" OD. So probably 2.5" pipe.

I still think you are too light in that department.

 

[Xfaxman]

Your profile looks close to the Medium Duty Root Grapple from: Loflin Fabrication

They also use round tubing for the cylinder rod attachment in the lid.

 

[4570Man]

I would add gussets to the inside corner of the outside tines.