Grapple --- 1 Lid or 2

[Xfaxman]

Your timing is perfect!! I was looking at that top piece tonight and thinking this is the weak point in the whole grapple. That top piece is only restrained on the outside edge but the inside is open. I thought about adding another restraint on the inside edge but I like your idea more. I'd rather add them now, than maybe have to cut out a bent one later and then add them. I'm in the middle of adding some gusset plates to the back edge of the tines too. I was also thinking that maybe there should be another stiffener between the pipe sections at the front of the tines and the back and then I see that yours has them. I'm still on the fence about this though since I don't see this grapple getting much hard use. As a matter of fact I'm not sure it will get much use at all, but I had to have one after reading all the threads about them and seeing the pics.
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Happened across a commercial grapple without a stiffener in the middle, like yours. Ammbusher Talon Grapple

 

[Hilbilly]

Happened across a commercial grapple without a stiffener in the middle, like yours. Ammbusher Talon Grapple

View attachment 412954

I think the big difference between my build and a commercial grapple is that I am using mild steel. I could be totally wrong (it's happened before) but I think the commercial ones use a better grade of steel. I had an issue with the grapple lid binding at the hinge points and thought I would have to use heat to open up the gap between the mounting plates but was shocked when I could do it rather easily with a crow bar and no heat. The mounting plates are made of 3/8" x 3" mild steel, just like the tines. So if I could easily bend a short section of it, I'm thinking those long tines would be more susceptible to bending under stress. I'm very close to finishing the fab work, only one more set of brackets to weld on (unless I add the intermediate stiffeners). I just can't seem to get the time to get it done and it's driving me crazy. I'm so close. I didn't get to spend any time on it yesterday, only a few minutes on it tonight and probably wont' get any time on it tomorrow. Hopefully Friday. Then I think I will give it a try without the extra stiffeners, before painting, to see how it holds up.

 

[Hilbilly]

Well I got the fab work done and had to use some temporary wiring to operate the hydraulics but IT WORKS!!!!!!:cool2:


I might still add some stiffeners between the tines and maybe some more plate to protect the hydraulic cylinder and hoses. Then give it a try and if all seems ok, it will be time to try my new sandblaster and give it some paint.

 

[Underdog57]

Nice job, really lookin good!!!! Going to look real nice painted.

 

[TomSeller]

Yes, very nice. How tall is that opening?

 

[k0ua]

Yes, very nice. How tall is that opening?

I would guess about 42 inches. Just a guess .

 

[Xfaxman]

Gooder-un. :thumbsup:

The opening looks large. What does it measure?

 

[Hilbilly]

I would guess about 42 inches. Just a guess .

Good guess. It's 43" but I might open it up to 44", which is where I was originally planning to have it. I'll see how it goes during some initial testing. First I have to rig up a switch for the new diverter valve.

I'm thinking maybe I should add another "tooth" at the front of the lid. What do you grapple users think. Plus any other suggestions, before it gets painted, would be appreciated.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm not sure another middle tooth would do much but as that top lid is wide, any bracing you can add to resist twisting it would be a plus IMO.

 

[Xfaxman]

I'm not sure another middle tooth would do much but as that top lid is wide, any bracing you can add to resist twisting it would be a plus IMO.

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I'm thinking maybe I should add another "tooth" at the front of the lid. What do you grapple users think. Plus any other suggestions, before it gets painted, would be appreciated.

Don't think you need a middle tooth, but agree with IslandTractor about a brace.

Sometimes you need to pull on the end of a log or tree trunk. That is why the "teeth" are in the middle of this one from EA. Maybe you could add something similar.

 

[IslandTractor]

Don't think you need a middle tooth, but agree with IslandTractor about a brace.

Sometimes you need to pull on the end of a log or tree trunk. That is why the "teeth" are in the middle of this one from EA. Maybe you could add something similar.

View attachment 413104

That middle serrated "tooth" would be helpful in some situations. I can usually manage without but agree that for pulling on the end of a log it would be much easier. I don't run into that situation much though and would typically approach from the side where it would not be an issue.

The twisting of the upper arm would occur not so much with closing on an object that had contact with only one tooth (though that would certainly put some torque on the arm) but rather when carrying a long heavy object that simply has a long lever arm. I put a slight twist in my upper arm once when I lifted a long tree and didn't pay attention to the fact that the root ball was dragging and hit an obstruction. Didn't affect function but clearly showed the power of leverage and that grapples (or FELs) are not engineered to resist such twisting forces.

The new style upper arm that EA uses seems to me to be much better supported against such twisting forces but I'm no engineer.

 

[Hilbilly]

Good points guys and thanks. I don't think I will grab trees by the end but I'm sure my uses will evolve and maybe I will have a need for something like that in the future. Got to give that some thought.

I got the wiring done to a temporary toggle switch and tried it out today. This will take a little getting used to but I like it. I pulled some piles of small trees, that I cut down and stacked for future wood chipping, from under the snow and shook the snow off, then proceeded to chip them. I don't like where I have the switch and will find some way to get a permanent set up on the loader joystick.

I can see where this could easily get abused and I think I will use it for a while before painting, to see if there are any areas that look like they may need bracing. I'm taking the rest of the day off to enjoy some adult beverages.:drink:

 

[Chad450r]

Cheers

 

[Hilbilly]

A few days ago I added some more gussets and reinforcing to the grapple. Then used it for a while to see if there were any areas of structural concern. I think I'm ok with it now but I have an issue that I need advise with.

I can't see the grapple tines unless the grapple is tilted vertically. If I am trying to use it to push along the ground, with the tines parallel to the ground, I can't see if the grapple is tilted right or not. Even if I hang may head off the side of the tractor I still can't see the grapple tines. Unless I can find some way of judging the angle I may have to make the grapple wider just so I can see where it sits.

What do you guys do?

 

[k0ua]

A few days ago I added some more gussets and reinforcing to the grapple. Then used it for a while to see if there were any areas of structural concern. I think I'm ok with it now but I have an issue that I need advise with.

I can't see the grapple tines unless the grapple is tilted vertically. If I am trying to use it to push along the ground, with the tines parallel to the ground, I can't see if the grapple is tilted right or not. Even if I hang may head off the side of the tractor I still can't see the grapple tines. Unless I can find some way of judging the angle I may have to make the grapple wider just so I can see where it sits.

What do you guys do?

I can see mine fairly well.. Do you have a bucket level indicator rod on your tractor?

 

[Jim Timber]

I saw mention of a mirror being added to the FEL arms in another search looking for rear view mirror options. I thought it sounded like a good idea. Use one of the convex mirrors like they have on box trucks to see the area behind the truck, only put it up front so you can see down and forward.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Bought a single lid last year. Good price, not EXACTLY what I wanted, but it's amazing and I kick myself for not having bought one years ago! Wish I had double lid. It would just handle irregular timber and brush better and I am sure would put less stress on the whole unit.

As far a not being able to see past your tractor, that drove me crazy, so I bought this and have never looked back. I guess a skid steer is good too. You can't do precise work if you are guessing what's happening up front.

 

[IslandTractor]

A few days ago I added some more gussets and reinforcing to the grapple. Then used it for a while to see if there were any areas of structural concern. I think I'm ok with it now but I have an issue that I need advise with.

I can't see the grapple tines unless the grapple is tilted vertically. If I am trying to use it to push along the ground, with the tines parallel to the ground, I can't see if the grapple is tilted right or not. Even if I hang may head off the side of the tractor I still can't see the grapple tines. Unless I can find some way of judging the angle I may have to make the grapple wider just so I can see where it sits.

What do you guys do?

That is not particularly unusual. I have to move my head around a bit and sometimes stand up to see the very tips of my grapple lower tines. I've often thought that I should install one of those rear view cameras in some armored spot that could give me a clear view of the grapple but I've managed without.

 

[HCJtractor]

That is an amazing project! I'm impressed. I would offer three suggestions. I would add a "V" shaped plate between the top two teeth to add a center grip and in case you pick up a tree by the trunk parallel to the tractor. I do this very frequently. I have also use it in a similar fashion to pick up a long post and transport it or to stand it up in a pre dug hole ( as in building a pole barn". But my point is, I often pick up things longitudinally, not crosswise.

I would also add a protective plate, or mesh in the rear to keep limbs from poking through to the front of your tractor.

And perhaps spacers midway between the main bottom tines to keep debris from falling out, for instance when picking up smaller stuff or rocks.

But overall, that's a piece of art! Great job.

 

[HCJtractor]

Here is a picture