grapple up and running!! :)

[stormpetrel]

`Fired her up....tightened some leaky fittings, marched over to a handy log.....and.........and........bent the bucket!!!!! I just might need some plate steel support. For some reason, I thought that 2500 psi wouldn't bend the top of my bucket!!:laughing::laughing::laughing:

But I am VERY happy with how it operates. Thanks to the help I got from you guys, I did it once, and did it right:thumbsup: This is not something I ever thought I'd be doing!!

Anyhoo, here's some pictures. I ran the working lines alongside the loader lines, temporarily. I sorta like how it works, might just leave em zip tied like they are. I have the q.d.s coming through the metal that covers the lines on the center of the loader. I like how that works too. I changed the cylinder hoses from 48" to 36", and now have changed one back to 48", and need to change the other as well. I didn't quite figure for the bucket curl distance being so great. The aluminum plate I used to mount the valve is the best part of the install as far as I'm concerned; it almost makes up for not having enough space to use two 90 degree fittings side by side on top of the valve.


I'm happy to hear any thoughts.......

Oh.....BTW Surplus Center refunded some of my shipping $$. Once I talked with someone who had authority, everything went well. I'm happy with what I got there, and the prices.

 

[stormpetrel]

Here's a couple more photos (including the bent bucket )

:thumbsup:

 

[teg]

Looks good :thumbsup: I bet it feels great to have it finished and working...

I just finished mine up and love how you can just pick up big rocks and piles of brush (wife was actually happy with it :cool2. I went with 3 spools instead of one (not that much more $$$). Waiting for a future TnT... :cloud9:

 

[CowwFace]

Here's a couple more photos (including the bent bucket )

:thumbsup:

Dang! I like it. The bucket bending sounds like something I would do for sure! I guess you can look at it as giving you something else to work on ... aka: Make BETTER! I also like the "Keep Away" stickers on the thumb... tell that to the logs eh?

Tractor on

 

[Gary Sweat]

Here's a couple more photos (including the bent bucket )

:thumbsup:

If you can find a way to get the bucket straightened back out, put a piece of C channel ( probably 1 1/2") and the width of the thumb base underneath the top of the bucket all the way across the bucket and either weld it or bolt it with 1/2" bolts evenly spaced should stop the top of the bucket from warping. Better if you can weld the ends of the channel to the sides of the bucket.

 

[winston1]

Nice looking job, glad all went well for you. I'm jealous.:drool:

 

[chad22]

I love it. Great work on it. To bad the bucket bent though.

Chad

 

[kennyd]

Nice job Storm...:thumbsup:

 

[gilbertmsg]

Did the same thing you did. Have Kioti CK 20 with same setup, bent bucket first day. Took to local welding shop had top of bucket cut off and replaced with 1/2 inch flat stock. When I put the thumb back on I also bolted a 3/8" piece under the bottom side for extra strength. My little tactor will lift about 1000 lbs and had no issues since. Total cost $175.00. Great addition for moving stuff around.

Eddie

 

[Johndeere3720]

Looks pretty slick. :thumbsup: nice job. :thumbsup: now, you need to get a cool picture of it at work. heres a picture of my grapple at work. It has a better cutting edge than the regular bucket.

 

[nybirdman]

Nice,I really like mine;you might want to think about adding a tooth-bar;helps a lot with the brush.I ran an angle full length on the top of my bucket;also had to roll it down to get full closed.

 

[jinman]

Nice job on the Thumb and control.:thumbsup: If you want to un-bend your bucket, just put the bucket over in the dump position with the grapple almost closed, Find a good solid tree to put the top of the grapple against and then open the grapple while watching your bucket straighten itself out. It will probably surprise you how easy it is to get it straight again before reinforcing it.

 

[stormpetrel]

Nice job on the Thumb and control.:thumbsup: If you want to un-bend your bucket, just put the bucket over in the dump position with the grapple almost closed, Find a good solid tree to put the top of the grapple against and then open the grapple while watching your bucket straighten itself out. It will probably surprise you how easy it is to get it straight again before reinforcing it.

Yeah, I had thought about that.....or, raising the loader under a large, low tree branch.

As far as reinforcement, I was thinking 1/2" x 3" (or 4") x 48" spanning the entire top of the bucket. I would prefer welded, but might have to bolt. Not too many welders in my town of about 800, and we're not connected to anywhere else, being an island!!

 

[teg]

...I was thinking 1/2" x 3" (or 4") x 48" spanning the entire top of the bucket...

I'm not the one to say but I think you would want "C" Channel instead of flat steel... less weight but stronger. For the size, someone else with more knowledge needs to step in :ashamed:

 

[stormpetrel]

I'm not the one to say but I think you would want "C" Channel instead of flat steel... less weight but stronger. For the size, someone else with more knowledge needs to step in :ashamed:

Is c channel in a "U" shape? Got a photo I could see?

The top edge of the loader HAS (had? ) a sorta "U" that bent back on itself...

 

[teg]

OnlineMetalStore ? A36 Hot Rolled Steel C Channel ? Buy Online ? Cut to Size ? No Minimum Order

Just for photos... I don't know ANYTHING about the company... Also, if you bolt it on, use grade 8 (or 10 if you can get it). You might have to start a new thread to get replies about this(???)

 

[winston1]

Stormpetrel, I don't think you stated and I can't tell from pictures just how you did your hydraulic hookup. Did you use the power beyond or just go from the out on old valve to in on new valve? I'm sure curious? :licking:

 

[teg]

Stormpetrel, I don't think you stated and I can't tell from pictures just how you did your hydraulic hookup. Did you use the power beyond or just go from the out on old valve to in on new valve? I'm sure curious? :licking:

Check out:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/yanmar/188675-grapple-mounted-next-hydraulics.html
and also:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/188694-almost-there-grapple-hydraulics.html

It's debatable if it should have all been in one thread or not...

 

[stormpetrel]

Stormpetrel, I don't think you stated and I can't tell from pictures just how you did your hydraulic hookup. Did you use the power beyond or just go from the out on old valve to in on new valve? I'm sure curious? :licking:

I went from the power beyond port of the loader valve to high pressure inlet port of grapple valve, return from outlet port of grapple valve teed into return line to pto/tank. Of course there were the cylinder working lines from the grapple valve working ports.

A very large expense turned out to be all the miscellaneous fittings/adapters; I spent almost $200 on that alone. The new valve, hoses, and fittings together only cost in the low 200s!

 

[stormpetrel]

OnlineMetalStore ? A36 Hot Rolled Steel C Channel ? Buy Online ? Cut to Size ? No Minimum Order

Just for photos... I don't know ANYTHING about the company... Also, if you bolt it on, use grade 8 (or 10 if you can get it). You might have to start a new thread to get replies about this(???)

Thanks, Teg:thumbsup:
Only thing I don't understand are their sizes.....4" x 3.5#??? What does that mean... Is it 3.5 pounds per foot of length? It would help if I could figure that out.

Also, did you say you mounted your C-channel UNDER the bucket edge?