grapple up and running!! :)

[teg]

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

Actually that was gilbertmsg (in post #9, #9, #9...) As for the 3.5#... again, someone smarter than me needs to step in :ashamed::confused2: Sorry...

 

[TTTTTT]

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:

First off great job! I was going to use the PB port as you did but ended up putting it in line from my pump to the new valve to my existing FEL valve and out to 3pt etc as 'winston1' above was enquiring. Glad it works as you expected. I use mine for my snow plow angle, but grapple setup is on the way.

Dave

 

[picker77]

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:

Don't know about "knowledge", but here's how I just put the same grapple on my JD 305 loader. The mount is a 36" chunk of rectangular 3"x4"x1/4" wall tubing, and there is a pair of 5"x12"x3/8" steel backing plates underneath the lip of the bucket where the bottom of the tubing is bolted. Seems to be plenty rigid so far, no bending, no problems, and no welding to the bucket required. As a bonus, the tubing also served to raise the base of the 28" grapple so the tips contact the leading edge of the bucket properly when closed and give me the maximum jaw opening possible when opened. However, as others have already said, I also recommend you add a tooth bar, makes a lot of difference when handling logs, rocks, and such.

 

[mjncad]

Yes, the 3.5# refers to pounds per lineal foot. Wide flange beams are listed in a similar manner (e.g. W8x10).

 

[stormpetrel]

Don't know about "knowledge", but here's how I just put the same grapple on my JD 305 loader. The mount is a 36" chunk of rectangular 3"x4"x1/4" wall tubing, and there is a pair of 5"x12"x3/8" steel backing plates underneath the lip of the bucket where the bottom of the tubing is bolted. Seems to be plenty rigid so far, no bending, no problems, and no welding to the bucket required. As a bonus, the tubing also served to raise the base of the 28" grapple so the tips contact the leading edge of the bucket properly when closed and give me the maximum jaw opening possible when opened. However, as others have already said, I also recommend you add a tooth bar, makes a lot of difference when handling logs, rocks, and such.

That is a thing of beauty........but my grapple is only 20" and works perfectly mounted on top of the bucket. I could turn the C-channel upside down, and drill & bolt it on the underside of the bucket to have the strength AND the fit...........

BTW, who made the tooth bar? I did just order one, found it on eBay.....excellent quality and price.

 

[picker77]

BTW, who made the tooth bar? I did just order one, found it on eBay.....excellent quality and price.

Iowa Farm Equipment. Bought from their Ebay outlet "tractorparts247" w/free shipping (received it in three days, but it only had to go from Iowa to Oklahoma). Solid tooth bar, they make good stuff.

 

[stormpetrel]

I got mine on eBay as well, but also from a place close to me... looks like a nice bar as well. Should get here today.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...903211&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_2212wt_905

 

[picker77]

Yep, that looks like a winner, should do the trick just fine. You'll be amazed at the extended utility of the bucket using a tooth bar.

 

[mars1952]

Nice work.

 

[David Devuono]

I don't have a grapple but I do lift everything from the hook at the center of my bucket and recommend a full length piece of tubing. You can weld it inside the bucket so as to not disturb your grapple. You mentioned 2500 PSI but if you have a 2 inch cylinder you are looking at more like 6000 lbs of push and if its 3 inch dia cylinder, your looking at 14,000 lbs of push. Nice job. I build a log shed a few years ago and it was a balancing act lifting them up. Grapple would have been the cats meow.

 

[picker77]

Now that I've used this thing a while, here's an update. David is right, there is an amazing amount of force/leverage put on the bucket top with a grapple, especially with a grapple that's "center" mounted like this one. My bracing job on the underside of the top of the bucket lip has proved insufficient, resulting in bending the top of the bucket upward on one occasion (I was able to bend it back to fairly straight, with some effort). So this spring I'll be doing a re-do on the mounting setup, and will install something very strong (probably a large chunk of rectangular tubing) across the entire width of the bucket.

On the positive side, it did take a lot to bend it. At the time, I had the bucket rolled fully down with the teeth a few inches off the ground, had the grapple about 2/3 closed, and accidentally hooked the grapple on a big root while backing up. Proved to be too much for the top of the bucket to take. So this time around I plan to stiffen the bucket top ALL the way across, and weld/bolt the stiffener to both sides of the bucket. That should counteract the huge torque that gets exerted on the sheet metal on the top of the bucket. I obviously underestimated the amount of that torque. Live and learn.

With that one exception (my fault!), I couldn't be happier with the way I have this little tractor set up. The combination of dual rear hydraulics, tooth bar, grapple, and top and tilt have made my life 3000% easier when clearing brush and maintaining roads and ditches. Now that it's been a while, can't see how I could have done without any of them. Every penny has been well spent, in my opinion, but I'm biased, because it's MY poor old back that's being saved here!

 

[teg]

...I couldn't be happier with the way I have this little tractor set up. The combination of dual rear hydraulics, tooth bar, grapple, and top and tilt have made my life 3000% easier...

No truer words... worth the money but it's still a bunch of cash. I'm glad I had a "smaller" tractor so I could put money towards "extras" goodies.