Newbie Grapple build Questions

[koolken]

Hi guys and girls. New here and am amazed at the information thats on here. been looking around and figured this is the perfect place to ask for some pointers. Been playing with solidworks for a few months now and after looking around for ideas on building a grapple i came up the this idea ..so far. Going to make it out of 1/2 plate as im making it for a 90 hp loader..but my biggest question is what angle do i make the back where the quick attach goes to and what effect does having the angle too much or not enough have.. Any ideas what i should change or add is welcomed and appreciated.

 

[Jeepnford]

If I'm understanding the question correct the QA plate should be fine welded flat to the back of the tines. The one I built worked OK that way.

 

[Rustyiron]

Tractor loader with "skid steer" QA?
I have both a tractor & SS, the built in mounting angle (from vertical) is less important on a tractor but more so on a SS. With the grapple, "rollback" or carrying angle is not that important as it is with a bucket. IIRC it's about 15* forward from 90* I can measure it and include a few pics of mine. (did that make any sense?)
You want enough angle built in to your mount to allow for a good dump angle with the loader arms raised up high. With a bucket, you want a happy medium to allow a good (low) carry angle & good (high) dump angle. There's only so much range of motion on the machine's mounting. Your drawing looks about right.
Welcome to TBN!

edit; you can always copy the angles on your factory bucket if your happy with that. I like to be able to position the grapple very close to vertical for raking & picking logs, depending on your loaders geometry, a good dumping angle with the arms up may be more than this.

 

[koolken]

yes you explained it perfectly. will check out angle on my factory bucket. I'm making it for a 244j john deere loader. Thanx alot

 

[RNeumann]

OP - consider the material thickness. The "nice" grapples use thinner but higher quality steel. All that 1/2" material is going to eat up lift capacity. I use mine to lift heavy rocks and logs so I wanted one that is narrower and lighter. It does have gussets on the teeth though.
Nice design and CAD work! This will be a good project and very rewarding!

 

[koolken]

I did consider going with 3/8.. unless I leave the outside forks 1/2 and the rest 3/8 or add more holes. I will add gussets to the teeth as well

 

[Rustyiron]

Just realized that you're machine is a wheel loader, stay with the 1/2" and build everything strong including the "lids". You should have plenty of load capacity even with a 1000# bucket.

 

[ovrszd]

yes you explained it perfectly. will check out angle on my factory bucket. I'm making it for a 244j john deere loader. Thanx alot

Check your factory angle. Then reproduce that. Done properly, your FEL bucket level indicator will also be an asset when using the Grapple. If not, you will have to adjust yourself everytime you switch from the bucket to the Grapple and back. Not pretty. You'll come to hate that......

 

[ovrszd]

As to metal thickness.

If you build this from mild steel 1/2" plate you will destroy it. Either have to increase thickness or get stronger metal.

Build strong, build once.

 

[koolken]

I want to run it on a New Holland L230 skid steer which has 90 hp and on a John deere 244J loader which has 70 hp. I'm thinking 1/2 inch plate would be lots. looking at everything attachments their heavy duty grapple and they used 1/2 so I figured it would be ok.

 

[Rustyiron]

FWIW I mostly use mine on my 110hp 10,000# skid steer. and have been giving it He!! for at least 10 years now. I think everything is 1/2", not sure on the actual alloy.Loflin Fabrication

 

[koolken]

I measured my forks and i got a 80 degree angle on in.By judging your forks and other pictures im thinking that it looks ok..unless someone know what their angle is on their bucket

 

[Rustyiron]

You know we expect a well picture documented "build thread":laughing:

 

[ovrszd]

I want to run it on a New Holland L230 skid steer which has 90 hp and on a John deere 244J loader which has 70 hp. I'm thinking 1/2 inch plate would be lots. looking at everything attachments their heavy duty grapple and they used 1/2 so I figured it would be ok.

Using the same metal type they do?

 

[ovrszd]

You know we expect a well picture documented "build thread":laughing:

Of course!!!

 

[koolken]

I figured regular 1/2 plate will be ok. I dont know if the shop i do my laser cutting at has different kinds of plate. Is it alot more expensive than the regular stuff?

 

[LD1]

T1 is indeed a good bit more expensive, but I would have concerns using a grapple, simply made out of 1/2" mild steel, on that 244J. You have almost 11,000# of lift capacity at ground level.

 

[ovrszd]

T1 is indeed a good bit more expensive, but I would have concerns using a grapple, simply made out of 1/2" mild steel, on that 244J. You have almost 11,000# of lift capacity at ground level.

I agree. It won't hold up. Grapples exert tremendous leverage on the lower teeth.

 

[RNeumann]

Everything Attachments has a good reputation with their grapples. They list the metal spec on the website. Hopefully they won't mind you looking....just don't plan on going into mass production for profit. They sponsor this site so we need to keep them happy!
Single Lid Wicked Root Grapple Lightweight Strong Large opening

 

[Xfaxman]

koolken , what will be the main job for the grapple?

Here is one design that is different than most: Heavy Duty Grapples for Skid Steers - Gorilla Grapples

Very heavy and very strong.