PT425 Grapple Build Project

[MossRoad]

<font color=blue>now ya got me thinking </font color=blue>

That's the phrase my wife fears /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[MossRoad]

I remember reading that somewhere. I did a search and couldn't find who wrote it. I was thinking of going to a local implement junk yard and checking them out. Might end up being cheaper than buying new or even scrap steel stock. Also would shorten fabrication time.

 

[MossRoad]

This brings up another question. Some of the grapples mount the hydraulic cylinder behind the bucket and use a simple lever to pull down or push up on the rear end of the grapple.

Others use the hydraulic cylinder on top of the grapple, as in Bubenberg's second link to grapple buckets mentioned above.

Which is the betterway? With the cylinder behind the bucket it would be protected from debris but it seems that it would be pushing on the end of the arm, creating more stress on the tips when clamping down. With the cylinder on top of the grapple and attached somewhere near the middle of the arms, it seems that the stress at the tips would be less.

What does eveyone think about this?

 

[MossRoad]

That's perfect! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

I have no experience with these types of tines. How springy are the tines? I'm sure they would hold brush well. Do you think they would hold something heavier like a log or large rock or would they spring open?

Also, a flat bar or two could be welded across to keep them from spreading side-to-side.

 

[JerryG]

To springy, they won’t hold a log. You can’t weld them, the spring steel will fracture at the weld. If you had the arms off of what we call a double shovel you would be in business. A double shovel, is a plow with two shovel points that was pulled by horses. They have no spring to them. Most areas that I know of, you can get them for next to nothing. Some people will even give them a way.

 

[bubenberg]

mr. m.r. judging from the pt grappler and quite a few hours with this beloved tool, it would be my recommendation to place the piston and hydraulics out of harms way. that is behind the bucket.

there is just one addition i would like to make and am waiting for charlie to get back to work .... that is for pt ers .... is the control of the movement of the grappler . if i understand correctly, his invention will allow to control the load a much simpler way and not to have to switch hands like a piano virtuoso, to lift and attempt to keep havier loads clamped inside the grappler.

welcome back charlie ... glad to have you back.

hrl

 

[MossRoad]

If the grapple is attached to the bucket, I shouldn't have to adjust while curling the bucket. The grapple should stay just where I leave it until I release it. Maybe I'll understand once I have some time with one (hopefully within the next month), as you have the "hands-on" experience.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks! I didn't realise that about spring steel. I'll keep my eyes open at the scrap yard.

 

[JerryG]

I don't know if it is that way on all spring steel. But I do know that spring plows will break when welded on. I have seen to many try to do it.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Hans:
Please don't refer to anything as my invention. What I have, so far in a cardboard box from W.R. Long, is a solenoid operated diverter valve, with a button for the joystick handle. It is marketed with their 4 n 1 buckets. Mark Chalkley had a similar system on his Kubota.
I am moving my office to a new location, so projects will be on hold, but hopefully I can get back to them after a while.