Opinions on FEL grapple bars

[/pine]

I'm in the process of cutting out my grapple bars..

After not being able to find a band saw blade that would cut it I ended up using more labor-some methods...so I have yet to cut any teeth into the bars...

Perhaps I am trying to rationalize the concept and prevent myself from hours more agonizingly boring and tedious work...but why do I need teeth?

I know they look great and all the professional models have them...but thinking about it why?...

...I would think the main idea is for the teeth to help hold/grab brush etc...except if using the FEL bucket...the bars cannot extend any so the grapple will only catch whatever is behind it and pushing it back against the bucket there is no where for the brush to go? the hooked tip of the bars will hold it in...where can anything go?

I can see where a tooth or two might help a single, larger round of wood or log section...I was thinking about a couple of bolt on spurs for when I am moving wood in the round...
...The whole time I have been planning this grapple I have been trying to figure out some way of using the retract action of the grapple to work for me too...one idea I am working on is a scissor bar/sling/basket attachment that will roll larger rocks back into the loader bucket by raising the grapple...

At any rate, I am interested in any other opinions on the benefits of or lack of needs for teeth on FEL grapple bars...

 

[magicheater]

I am working on the same function you speak of. I alluded to this in an earlier post. I find grapples over rated and very use specific. Perhaps it is just the idea of grabbing something that gives it the appeal. Having the grapple/thumb
mounted on the bucket can hinder the bucket in other areas. A thumb for me would have to do a lot more than just clench for me to want it. Sorting and selecting with the thumb/grapple would double the use and make it more desirable. In my experience I can accomplish as much using slightly different techniques with Loader Buddy.
No extra hydraulics to buy and install and still have the function of a bucket.
I work out with my tractor and 99% of the time have my L.B. on. I have an Anbo grapple, tough unit, but I can still outwork it in the long run because of the versatility of L.B. 10 years of using it has formed those opinions. I am still however, working on the very things you brought up, Good Luck with it.

 

[/pine]

Thanks for the reply...I can't believe that with all the messages about grapples that there are so few opinions on the value of teeth on the bar...

Personally, my main intent is to keep from having to get on and off the tractor as much as possible...even if whatever technique or process takes longer than getting off the machine and manually performing the task...

Not having actually used a "brush" grapple I can't say whether or not my theory of the need for teeth on the bar has any merit...but physically I do not see any benefit other than looks...there is no place for the material to go so IMO there is no need for teeth to hold it (brush)...

Another idea I am working on is a leaf compactor...when I first get to my summer place I have an enormous amount of leaves to deal with...raking them into piles is not a thing but dealing with the huge piles of leaves is another...It seems like it should not be too difficult to adapt a bucket grapple into a leaf compactor...just not sure if it would work well enought to make it worth while...?

 

[kennyd]

I guess I am just clear what you are referring to as a "grapple bar":confused2:

Yes, I am thick-headed sometimes...

 

[/pine]

just using this as an example (see attch) what I mean by the "bars" is the two main pieces that actually grab something..

Looking at the device it looks like the teeth would be effective which I'm sure they are...but...my observation (by deduction only) is that they are just not needed...whatever they are helping to hold can't go anywhere anyway...

 

[kennyd]

OK, now I get it...

You may be correct for a "thumb" style grapple like you pictured, but on my regular grapple I think they are useful for picking things up.

To save from "cutting" teeth, you could just use your welder to add them-a little pile of metal every inch or so may give it some "bite" if you need it.

 

[J_J]

/pine,

Do you have a torch, or band saw, saws-all, or anything to cut metal. You will probably have to cut some metal somewhere, and bore or cut some holes. No, teeth are not necessary. Some grapples have them and some do not. It is just preference. If you want jagged edges, do as Kenny suggested and weld on some extra beads down the length of the grapple. I will suggest this. If you can draw out the grapple arms in a dwg file, you can take it to a metal shop, and they can either plasma or laser cut the parts out . It is not that expensive. You can also take straight pieces of metal, and form an arc using two or three pieces welded together to form a grapple.

 

[J_J]

Here is a small grapple I made up out of box blade shanks, and some welding. Frame for the shanks is a hitch assembly

 

[/pine]

OK guys thanks...
I can bolt or weld teeth on in the future if required...maybe even some bolt on specialty teeth etc..

By trade (75% retired) I'm a shipwright/fabricator...I have a lot of tools but have just not done that much work with iron...

I have mig and stick welders and propane/oxy rig...

I tried with no joy to find a band saw bade that would cut 1/4 steel but never did find the right tooth stock...I ended up cutting out my grapple bars with a Sawzall...
Below is a pic of the bars...the bars are about 5/8" wider than I had planned because I originally was going to cut teeth into the bars...

 

[/pine]

Here is a small grapple I made up out of box blade shanks

Now that's a grapple!

BTW...I have thought about taking the bars to a shop to have them cut them out (teeth)...if they were more important I most likely would...