How to lighten my QuickAttach Grapple Rake?

[rfc143]

I own a Quick Attach 72" Quick-Claw grapple Rake, on my L5240. It works well, but it weighs 800 lbs. I think it's just too heavy for what I use it for (moving saplings, brush, and small rocks. It's made entirely of 1/2" "T-1" steel, whatever that is. The thing is built like a tank. I'm thinking of "swiss cheesing" the heck out of it, using a plasma torch to make it lighter. Has anyone ever done this before? How successful was it? Ideas welcome.

 

[KYErik]

That is a nice unit. Maybe you could trade someone for a lighter factory made one and get some $ out of the trade. I'm sure there is someone out there with a large tractor that has a light unit that is worried about tearing it up.

 

[Sysop]

Rather than downsizing a more expensive heavy duty unit into a lighter duty unit, why not sell it and buy a lighter duty unit? I think your main issue to overcome is the thickness of the steel, which is not anything you can plasma off.

 

[rfc143]

I think your main issue to overcome is the thickness of the steel, which is not anything you can plasma off.

I can't do anything about the thickness; my plan was to just cut holes out of every "tine", leaving perhaps 1.5" of steel all around. I think I could remove a third of the weight without too much trouble. I'd consider a lighter unit, but freight on these things is killer, and I'm in the sticks of Vermont.

 

[KYErik]

Perhaps you could put an ad in the classified section of this site and find a TBN member to "trade" with. Maybe someone with a lighter unit would do the shipping for free in exchange for your unit.

 

[Sysop]

You might try sending Travis or Ted at EverythingAttachments a message and ask them how much weight they're saving with the holes on their grapples. I think I either read or heard on one of their videos it was only 10-20lbs. Not much in the grand scheme of things. Of course they are designing from the ground-up to suit the little guy, where absolutely every pound counts. I think I'd look up the weight of your steel per cubic inch, then calculate how many cubic inches you think you can get away with removing. I would be shocked if you can remove anything substantial by simply cutting holes.

 

[Piston]

I know this isn't the question you asked, but I would also suggest selling it.
I bet shipping from everything attachments for their wicked grapple would be reasonable.

 

[oosik]

I would seriously consider selling it rather than some ill advised lightening program. You have a substantial implement there that could be sold, as is, and then you could look for a lighter unit. Like others have indicated - I doubt you will get where you want to be by cutting holes.

 

[TractorGuy]

What problems are you experiencing? Does it consume most of the tractor lifting capacity? Or could you solve your trouble with rear ballast?

 

[rfc143]

What problems are you experiencing? Does it consume most of the tractor lifting capacity? Or could you solve your trouble with rear ballast?

Actually, after reading all the advice here (and reading a thread in the Kubota section on 3pt counterweights), I'm re-thinking. First of all, I usually always have my Farmi winch on when I'm in the woods with the grapple...that weighs 700 lbs. When doing the fields, I have the Alamo that weighs 900 lbs. So my net is really only +100 lbs to -100 lbs. The tractor is certainly big enough to handle the grapple; it just seemed like it was built with too much steel. I guess I should stop whining, given the number of photos I've seen here with twisted Chinese or other lesser made equipment.

Finally, I've got some cost into it. Those that have a similar grapple will note that from the factory, that grapple is almost a foot higher on the quick attach frame, raising it well above the shoe of the loader arms. To engage the lower tines at all you had to "bucket out" the grapple, causing the lower tines to dig into the ground.

I cut the grapple off the bracket and re-attached it so that when the grapple is level, it's below any part of the loader frame. It works super well, even in fairly soft woodsy material.

Thanks again for all the advice about the unit. You guys (girls) rock.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I cut the grapple off the bracket and re-attached it so that when the grapple is level, it's below any part of the loader frame. It works super well, even in fairly soft woodsy material.

I would appreciate a picture of what you have done here.

 

[rfc143]

I would appreciate a picture of what you have done here.

See the attached photos. Both these were taken prior to the modification. The way the unit came from the factory, I could not keep the unit from digging into the soil (unless it was super hard or frozen). You simply could not drive forward as you would with a level bucket or some other rakes with a long flat lower surface.

After the modification, it works extremely well. I can drop the rake, level it and drive forward, picking up anything in it's path. The weight actually helps a bit as it will sink a bit into the soil, putting the tips of the tines dead level with the surface, but continually try to "climb out" rather than dig in.

I sent photos to the company engineers and explained what I did.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Thankk you. I was having trouble picturing what you did. I would have done the same thing.

 

[Xfaxman]

Looks like you were able to move it closer to the QA Plate also. :thumbsup:

Before:

After:

 

[rfc143]

Looks like you were able to move it closer to the QA Plate also. :thumbsup:

Before:

View attachment 502247


After:

View attachment 502248

Yes, I forgot to mention that. As it came from the factory, it was hanging way out there. That change seemed to make a significant improvement, although the reduction in length of those fins holding the grapple were only shortened 6" or so. The thing just works great now. Right after I got it I was ready to get rid of it because it was nearly useless for moving along the ground. Fine for just picking up piles and what not, but no good for "scrubbing" the ground of brush, as some of the others with flat bottoms seem to do.
I love it now.