Homemade Bucket Grapple Progress

BIG DOOLEY · Nov 28, 2012

Did a little more fabrication.
Far from done done but i did get the a bracket made for the remote hydraulics plus have started the grapple fabrication.
I will try to fabricate the cylinder mount and cross or lateral bracing for the grapple teeth soon.
still need to add zerk fittings and trim the pivot pins.
Tom

JD 4520 · Nov 29, 2012

Looking good. I don't have that kind of time.

camshawn · Nov 29, 2012

nice work. I am following this as I may build something similar myself.
Cam

IslandTractor · Nov 29, 2012

Nice work. Are you planning to put any gussets or connectors between the two upper jaw arms? If you are doing more than just holding brush in the bucket you'll want to beef up the jaws to prevent them from splaying out (or in).

mjncad · Nov 29, 2012

Looks good. Is there a particular reason the toothed arms were spliced together from two pieces of steel instead of being cut from a single piece? Are you going to add an upholstered pad to the valve's armrest?

BIG DOOLEY · Nov 29, 2012

IslandTractor said:
Nice work. Are you planning to put any gussets or connectors between the two upper jaw arms? If you are doing more than just holding brush in the bucket you'll want to beef up the jaws to prevent them from splaying out (or in).

Thanks everyone,
Yes i plan on adding gussets and some cross supports. I have some shedule 80 1-1/4" pipe for cross supports and some 3/8" thick angle iron for the cross support that will hold the front cylinder mount.
I spliced the grapple teeth together from steel pieces that i had leftover in my remnant pile. I may add an extra layer in those areas on the outside after all the supports are welded in.
Funny I woke up this morning thinking about adding a pad for the remote bracket.
I made a pad for the backrest on my harley a few years back. I have some black vinyl and foam padding from that project in the shop.
I would just have to cut a small piece of plywood and use some screws from the bottom side to mount it. Also cut out small circles where the bolts hold the remote in the plywood so it sits flat.
Have a great day all.
Tom