Tractor grapple
- Thread starter ridefst
- Start date
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All done, and it works great!
I love how fast it operates, wish I could get the bucket curl running that fast!
Valve body is a little messy looking, but works well. Nothing gets stretched or pinched, though I might add a long spring to pull the grapple hoses off to the side when the bucket is curled back, just to make sure they don't find their way between the bucket and the stops.
First test
Pretty much maxed out the tractor with this one
Just a quick video of it operating
[video]http://vid5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/ridefst/grapple/Video%20Nov%2014%202%2006%2022%20PM.mp4[/video]
Works great holding smaller logs on end too!
Didn't have anybody else to film it, so I had to hop off for a few seconds - I know, not the greatest idea, but I was so impressed with the speed we were cutting up these logs, I had to get a video
The saw is kinda noisy, turn down your speakers first.
I could probably get more of these cut out pretty reasonably if anybody was interested in purchasing a "weld your own" kit of plain steel pieces.
I know a lot of people can assemble and weld, but not so many people have the equipment to design and cut something like this.
I've got files for an excavator thumb as well, that I built a few years back.
I love how fast it operates, wish I could get the bucket curl running that fast!
Valve body is a little messy looking, but works well. Nothing gets stretched or pinched, though I might add a long spring to pull the grapple hoses off to the side when the bucket is curled back, just to make sure they don't find their way between the bucket and the stops.
First test
Pretty much maxed out the tractor with this one
Just a quick video of it operating
[video]http://vid5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/ridefst/grapple/Video%20Nov%2014%202%2006%2022%20PM.mp4[/video]
Works great holding smaller logs on end too!
Didn't have anybody else to film it, so I had to hop off for a few seconds - I know, not the greatest idea, but I was so impressed with the speed we were cutting up these logs, I had to get a video
The saw is kinda noisy, turn down your speakers first.
I could probably get more of these cut out pretty reasonably if anybody was interested in purchasing a "weld your own" kit of plain steel pieces.
I know a lot of people can assemble and weld, but not so many people have the equipment to design and cut something like this.
I've got files for an excavator thumb as well, that I built a few years back.
It really isn't bad at all.
The steel weighs right on 80lbs total.
The cylinder is probably another 10lbs or so.
The valve body and hoses are a few lbs more, but they're back behind the bucket, so that weigh has less effect on lifting ability.
So an easy figure is 100lbs total, most of which is all the way at the back of the bucket (particularly with the grapple open)
MD09
Bronze Member
Would you be willing to share the design file? I have a shop near by that could cut the steel.
Thanks
Rob
Thanks
Rob
Renze
Elite Member
Judging by the size of that cylinder, you might want to consider adding a plate over the edge of that bucket top lip, down to where the tilt cylinders attach to your bucket, to prevent twisting the top edge of your bucket. That cylinder is quite beefy to put on a sheetmetal bucket without spreading the load in the direction of push.