Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Build

[IvanS]

Do you have any pictures, of your project? you should start a thread also.

Dave

Dave,
I don't want to derail this thread, but here is the link to mine : http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/273696-another-diy-grapple.html

Dan

 

[Baby Grand]

Roger,
Great work - it's really looking good!
Great documentation, too - EA got lucky with you.
Can't wait to see your tractor wearing it with fresh paint.
Any idea how many hours you have into this project to date?
-Jim

 

[Dr Dave]

Dave,
I don't want to derail this thread, but here is the link to mine : http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/273696-another-diy-grapple.html

Dan

thanks Dan, nice jobon your grapple!

 

[94BULLITT]

Friday night I compared the Kubota Paint to some Limco. The Limco paint had 4 ingredients listed and the Kubota paint had all of them plus 2 more. I wonder if I would be okay to use the Limco hardner:confused3:

The grapple is looking great, I can sympathize with the amount of welding having just finished fabrication of a 48" wide of my own design. I went through nearly of full tank of gas for the mig and about 6 lbs of wire I think. Then there is the painting and hydraulics yet to come for me. I need to make some mounts for the diverter valve and the quick connects today; then figure out the hose lengths and the endless puzzle of fittings.

Once again, great job on this project and the documentation of the progress should give others an idea of the amount of work involved.

Dan

Thanks Dan. There is a lot of work that goes into building a grapple. I have gone through 15# of welding rods:shocked:

Roger, first, fantastic build and documentation, second, would you come to Louisiana and build one for me ? :drink: I'll feed you mud bugs (crawdads) and cold beverages 'till you grow claws ! Lololol ! Seriously, very nice work and I very much look forward to seeing the final product on your machine, perhaps a video of the final product in action ? Thanks for this thread...

Rich

Thanks Rich. Too bad Louisiana is so for away sounds like that would be fun. I can't wait to get on the tractor. I can try to make a video of it in action. I keep thinking about getting a go pro camera but haven't.

Roger,
Great work - it's really looking good!
Great documentation, too - EA got lucky with you.
Can't wait to see your tractor wearing it with fresh paint.
Any idea how many hours you have into this project to date?
-Jim

:yawn:
Thanks Jim. Kioti Ken also asked me to keep track of my time. I really have not kept track of it but I went back through and looked at all of the pictures in the thread because I pretty much remember how long it took to do everything. As of know I have approximately 30 hours in it. I am too much of a perfectionist and I have been paying a lot of attention to all the little details. I believe by the time everything is welded, painted and the hydraulics are on it I will have 40 hours in it. I worked on it til 12:30 this morning:laughing::yawn:

 

[SPIKER]

Roger:

If the paints are very similar 4 of 6 ingredients are same, then probably OK to mix, I would try a small drop of hardener in a small amount of paint and see how it drys. Figure the bottom of the tines and paint them with the test mix & check it next day for dry/hardness. Use a foam brush and well ventilated area.

Mark

 

[94BULLITT]

Roger:

If the paints are very similar 4 of 6 ingredients are same, then probably OK to mix, I would try a small drop of hardener in a small amount of paint and see how it drys. Figure the bottom of the tines and paint them with the test mix & check it next day for dry/hardness. Use a foam brush and well ventilated area.

Mark

Mark, I have a el cheapo air brush kit. It has a eye dropper like thing that has marks for mixing paint on it. I can use that to mix up a small batch to test.

 

[2458n]

If the parts could be sold ala carte (individually) you would have people building all sorts of stuff. I cut up alot of old ag. equipment and save different pieces for reuse,motors,cylinders,brackets, 3pt. top links,Axles and wheels. The laser cut pieces really would be handy. And the UPS man could handle it all. I understand it would be very difficult to pick orders. Just wishing. Really great build !.!

 

[94BULLITT]

Getting ready to weld the lid teeth.

The last lid finished up.

Spring mount for hydraulic lines.

Hydraulic plate welded (with MIG) in place with tabs.

I did not know were the piece went. I thought it was the spring mount for the hydraulic lines but I had 2 of them so I emailed Travis and asked him if that was what it was. Within a few minutes he called me and he knew right were it went. That shows me he is very knowledgeable about his product. The pieces go between the lids and are to protect the hoses from sticks.

Here it is 99.9% complete well except for cleanup and paint. All that has to need to done is secure the hinge pins which I have a question about.

A few crappy night shots

Since I am pretty much done here are some pics of the welder that was used on it.

It is a Real Gear 160 amp DC stick. It is 110/220v. It cost a whopping $320. It is a awesome little welder.

 

[wolftree]

Fantastic job.

 

[94BULLITT]

Thanks.

 

[jmc]

It looks sinister after dark!

 

[J F]

Very cool, Roger. :thumbsup: When's the test drive?

 

[crazyal]

The good news is there looks to be a fair bit of welding and work putting one of these together. That should translate to decent discount in price over a finished grapple.

 

[murphy1244]

Looking mean, nice job!

 

[94BULLITT]

Looking mean, nice job!

It looks sinister after dark!

Thanks murph and JMC. I like how it looks in the raw form, you can see the heat from the welding. To bad I can't leave it like that.

Very cool, Roger. :thumbsup: When's the test drive?

Thanks Jay. I drove proabably 200' with it on the tractor today:laughing: After I get it painted I will put it into service.

 

[94BULLITT]

I welded the pins welded pins with the MIG today. That should be all of the welding now.

Here she is in the daylight

I forgot to put the 90's on the cylinders when I did a test fir on the hoses:ashamed:

I took a strap to hold it open just to see what it looked like.

 

[murphy1244]

Do a flame paint job!

 

[94BULLITT]

Do a flame paint job!

I can't paint flames.

 

[murphy1244]

I can't paint flames.

Its time to learn, you never built a grapple before either.

 

[kiotiken]

Its time to learn, you never built a grapple before either.

He's got you there Roger. I second it, let's see some flames on that bad boy.