Root Rake/ Grapple combo

[J_J]

This is similar to what I started with. A hitch assembly, and 9 box blade ripper shanks.

 

[J_J]

Fiinished product.

 

[J_J]

This all took a bit of welding, and fitting the hydraulics cyl to work properly . Cost , hitch $40.00, Shanks $15.00 each, 4 inch 1/2 inch steel, free. Used a Lincoln 175 mig. About 20 hours rounding up the parts and welding.

Hardest part was drilling out the end hole in 4 of the shanks for 3/4 grade 8 bolts. That is some some hard steel. Wore out 4, 3/4 bits. I had to torch out the holes, and ream with 3/4 carbide reamer.

Every thing turned out according to plan.

It will not grab a large bite, but the 3/4 steel shanks will handle all my tough stuff.

 

[J_J]

Grapple closed.

 

[pajoube]

J.J.
Very impressive. Your work is on the scale of a professional manafactory plant.
Thanks for sharing your talents.
PJ

 

[Phils]

Good job, JJ!! I need some kind of grapple arrangement for moving cut brush to the bonfire, that looks like it might just do the trick. Got a MIG welder for Christmas but haven't had anything to weld yet... this'd be a good project. AND I already have the hitch, so I'm $40 ahead already.

Thanks for the idea and photos.

Phil

 

[pequeajim]

I'm curious J.J., why did you use a hitch instead of some square tube? Was it because of availability?

 

[Rip]

Real nice looking grapple JJ .... looks like it will work well for a lot of stuff and the price was right.

 

[J_J]

I had several of these laying around, and the price of steel seems to go up every day. Steel tubing would have worked.
It just worked out well for a small sturdy grapple/root rake.

 

[MossRoad]

Very nice! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif