Loader New Grapple Build! Let me know what you think

[TomSeller]

And, perhaps Titan has changed their manufacturing standards but as I recall they were the company that was using 1/8" wall square tube that failed on several grapples. .

Wildcat's 1/8" tube failed on their lower end grapple. I don't recall Titan making one that failed easily. Titan's main issue was the notorious fit problems where they refunded $50 if the owner welded on a shim.

 

[IslandTractor]

Wildcat's 1/8" tube failed on their lower end grapple. I don't recall Titan making one that failed easily. Titan's main issue was the notorious fit problems where they refunded $50 if the owner welded on a shim.

Thanks for the correction. Yes, it was Wildcat (?Wildkat) not Titan that saved $10 per grapple by substituting 1/8" thick wall tube for the standard 1/4". My apologies to Titan.

 

[slharman1]

Got the Grapple all painted up and ready to install!
There's my guys there - they help get it all assembled and painted!
Way to go Mario and Esteban!

 

[slharman1]

Also got my cylinder and 3rd function in today.
Got the lines all measured up and hoses and fittings ordered.



It'll be a week or so before the rest of my parts get in, I post some more along the way and of course a video once it's hooked up and running!

 

[TomSeller]

Super nice work!

 

[IslandTractor]

Very nice work. The bottom looks great. I'm gonna suggest that you consider a bit more bracing on the jaw. What you have will work perfectly for moving logs but if you are using the upper jaw to help rip out brush I think I'd add more steel. Take a look at the upper jaw of the EA Compact grapple. They have the best upper jaw in the industry IMO. My own grapple doesn't have much either but I had to heat/beat/weld in some gussets on the tips that splayed out when clamping on big rocks. I've also lost a hose right at the cylinder due to lack of protection from below (yours is fine). I also wonder if your cross tubing is big enough to withstand the twisting forces that are inevitable when you clamp on an odd shaped object like a rock. Mine has thicker tubing and it is still a bit bent after ten years....nothing that affects function but evidence that more bracing would have been better. Here is a photo of mine for reference (photo when new, it's more battle scarred now) and the rock that splayed out the tips.

 

[slharman1]

Very nice work. The bottom looks great. I'm gonna suggest that you consider a bit more bracing on the jaw. What you have will work perfectly for moving logs but if you are using the upper jaw to help rip out brush I think I'd add more steel. Take a look at the upper jaw of the EA Compact grapple. They have the best upper jaw in the industry IMO. My own grapple doesn't have much either but I had to heat/beat/weld in some gussets on the tips that splayed out when clamping on big rocks. I've also lost a hose right at the cylinder due to lack of protection from below (yours is fine). I also wonder if your cross tubing is big enough to withstand the twisting forces that are inevitable when you clamp on an odd shaped object like a rock. Mine has thicker tubing and it is still a bit bent after ten years....nothing that affects function but evidence that more bracing would have been better. Here is a photo of mine for reference (photo when new, it's more battle scarred now) and the rock that splayed out the tips.

I have been wondering about how the clam will hold up.
It's on new so we will see, I will make a new lid if it doesn't hold up well.
Thanks

 

[IslandTractor]

I have been wondering about how the clam will hold up.
It's on new so we will see, I will make a new lid if it doesn't hold up well.
Thanks

The lid basically looks fine it just seems a bit lightly built. Wouldn't take much to beef it up. Another cross tube would help. Also make sure the tips are supported/gusseted.

 

[slharman1]

The lid basically looks fine it just seems a bit lightly built. Wouldn't take much to beef it up. Another cross tube would help. Also make sure the tips are supported/gusseted.

Thanks

 

[mike69440]

Siharman1

Your Grapple build reminds me of when I built my own rifle. I did it just to do it, but would never do it again. I'd buy the gun or have one made to my specs.

I built my own gizmos, not as difficult probably as a complete grapple, but still a lot of fab & design work for one offs., only because there was nothing like it I could purchase. I admit Solidworks is a lot of fun. You must have learned a lot designing the grapple, I hope your are a better welder than I am!
I admire your ambition, but in my old age, I sure try to do only the stuff I can't readily or economically have done for me.
Here is some of my stuff.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/327912-custom-3-point-attachment-2-a.html?highlight=
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/372240-3pt-stuff-your-loader.html?highlight=
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/374740-my-wife-wants-gazebo-help.html?highlight=
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...d-hydraulic-clyinders-loaders.html?highlight=