log grapple design/dynamics? 3 pt

[davedj1]

I'm going to build a 3 point log grapple, I have never really seen one up close so I don't know how the geometry is for opening and closing. Anyone build one or have a schematic of one? I have searched but have come up empty handed. Just the open/close part I need help with. Thanks
It will be this design:

 

[Rockbadchild]

that's a cool attachment...

My first thoughts other than getting a design from a manufacture to purchase the patten would be to in touch with Garauld the creator of the ''Swamp thing'' he as some crazy drafting/engineering skills if it's worth is time he might be willing to draft it up for you...

Good luck ... keep posting the progress it will be interesting to follow.

 

[/pine]

It's a cool looking attachment even more so if it telescopes...but IMO it has very limited practicality...especially if working in close quarters to anything...
...A full time ground man might make it more practical...
Also, it's hard to drive a tractor while looking backwards AND working hydraulic controls...IMO a grapple on the front (FEL) is much more practical for a man working alone and picking up and placing logs...be it be on a trailer, saw mill etc., etc...

 

[Rockbadchild]

It's a cool looking attachment even more so if it telescopes...but IMO it has very limited practicality...especially if working in close quarters to anything...
...A full time ground man might make it more practical...
Also, it's hard to drive a tractor while looking backwards AND working hydraulic controls...IMO a grapple on the front (FEL) is much more practical for a man working alone and picking up and placing logs...be it be on a trailer, saw mill etc., etc...

You are missing the big picture. Of course it has limited applications, this is a skidder made for one purpose, grappling and skidding trees for a long distance. It's a specializes attachment made for that purpose so obviously OP as a need for it and for that specific need a grappler wouldn't be feasible.

 

[/pine]

You are missing the big picture. Of course it has limited applications, this is a skidder made for one purpose, grappling and skidding trees for a long distance. It's a specializes attachment made for that purpose so obviously OP as a need for it and for that specific need a grappler wouldn't be feasible.

I'm not missing anything...the OP said a "3 pt grapple"...
...a 3pt logging winch is much more practical for skidding logs with a 25HP tractor that barely weighs a ton and a half...!

 

[Rockbadchild]

I'm not missing anything...the OP said a "3 pt grapple"...
...a 3pt logging winch is much more practical for skidding logs with a 25HP tractor that barely weighs a ton and a half...!

You and I don't know the task at hand, so pretty hard to state what is more practical for that unknown task ... the question is not what is more practical for a certain task.

If I would want to haul full length trees for a good distance this is what I would want ... a logging winch is good if you can't access the tree to haul it out to the trail but not skidding it for 3000ft

 

[/pine]

You and I don't know the task at hand, so pretty hard to state what is more practical for that unknown task ... the question is not what is more practical for a certain task.

If I would want to haul full length trees for a good distance this is what I would want ... a logging winch is good if you can't access the tree to haul it out to the trail but not skidding it for 3000ft

LoL...and if the trees were of any size you would be doing it with the front wheels off the ground...(given the cited tractor)...

you suggest that accessibility would be difficult for getting a choker on a log...close quarters is no place for the pictured attachment...!

 

[davedj1]

To answer a question, I am wanting it to grab a bunch of 6'-10' logs that the logger left scattered all over my friends property. I used my winch to skid the longer stuff out but it's a pain to use it on all the short stuff. I'm not even sure why they cut it into such pieces, maybe to get it off the usable log underneath or something. I have a grapple on the front so I have hydraulics on board, I too thing the tractor is too light to have this on the front although I'm not opposed to the idea but I have limited lifting capacity and having the log out there another 2'-3' isn't going to help. I don't have to drag them far, 50'-100' tops to the landing area. It's a small piece of property.

 

[Rockbadchild]

LoL...and if the trees were of any size you would be doing it with the front wheels off the ground...(given the cited tractor)...

you suggest that accessibility would be difficult for getting a choker on a log...close quarters is no place for the pictured attachment...!

hard to keep track of your arguments initially you talk about a FEL grappler then a 3point logging winch now it's a chain and chocker which is it ?

 

[/pine]

hard to keep track of your arguments initially you talk about a FEL grappler then a 3point logging winch now it's a chain and chocker which is it ?

LoL...Do you have any experience with tractors and logs???

FYI...3PT winches use chain and chokers...the winch is a much more practical 3pt implement than what is pictured...especially in close quarters...

And I'll stick with my opinion that a front mounted thumb grapple either with a bucket or forks is much easier to use if placing logs in/on anything but a pile in an open field...!

 

[Rockbadchild]

LoL...Do you have any experience with tractors and logs???

FYI...3PT winches use chain and chokers...the winch is a much more practical 3pt implement than what is pictured...especially in close quarters...

And I'll stick with my opinion that a front mounted thumb grapple either with a bucket or forks is much easier to use if placing logs in/on anything but a pile in an open field...!

please don't go there...

Ho you miss understood me on post #6 therefore I was confuse, I said if accessibility restricted a 3point winch is the way to go, yes I agree with you...

Yes for placing logs on anything I agree with you but it is easier to drag a tree longitudinally then lifting it and caring it sideways, it is also easier on the equipment and on the terrain, this grappler is also easier than a winch since you don't have to get off the tractor to go tie it off to the chocker... but yes you need to be able to access the tree.

for the OPs task this a very good implement if not the forestry industry wouldn't be using it.

Its called a skidder and that what it looks like, they kinda look alike to me....

 

[/pine]

please don't go there...

Ho you miss understood me on post #6 therefore I was confuse, I said if accessibility restricted a 3point winch is the way to go, yes I agree with you...

Yes for placing logs on anything I agree with you but it is easier to drag a tree longitudinally then lifting it and caring it sideways, it is also easier on the equipment and on the terrain, this grappler is also easier than a winch since you don't have to get off the tractor to go tie it off to the chocker... but yes you need to be able to access the tree.

for the OPs task this a very good implement if not the forestry industry wouldn't be using it.

Its called a skidder and that what it looks like, they kinda look alike to me....

Here is a hint...compact tractors do not make practical log skidders...even with 3pt winches they are too light...
Oh and BTW...the pic you posted is of knuckle boom skidders...they generally spin 270* in either direction...what the OP posted does not spin and no knuckle...(big difference when working alone)...!

 

[Rockbadchild]

Here is a hint...compact tractors do not make practical log skidders...even with 3pt winches they are too light...
Oh and BTW...the pic you posted is of knuckle boom skidders...they generally spin 270* in either direction...what the OP posted does not spin...(big difference when working alone)...!

Never said they did, but yet you suggested a FEL grappler, when you can pull a lot more then you can lift.

mild inconveniences, simply have to position the tractor in line with the tree...

Regardless not the point of this thread, and this degenerated ...

have a good day,

 

[Leejohn]

With you only moving 100' I tell you a tree puller works real good. I know it's only one at a time. but it well shock you on the short time it takes. Not only you can stand it up or lay down, also hold it to cut up. or make a hell of a big pile. Just make sure you have weight on the back.

 

[Rustyiron]

I built this one, I know it's not a skidder. I also have a 115 hp skid steer and am aware that it's not a D11. Both are better than a mule and a wagon.
The OP only wants to grab random 10' logs and these small grapples with only solidly grab 1 18"-20" log at a time or 2 @10". I think he's got a decent shot doing what he wants to with it although he'll need to line up very close to parallel with the log with the shown dangling chain mounting of the grapple.
I bought the grapple with a rotator (360* cont.) about 8 years ago. $2200 thereabouts iirc.
OP, do a thorough search here, there was a guy building pretty much the same thing you pictured. I had just bought mine and we communicated in a PM. I gave him the critical dimensions of my grapple and he did a great job re creating it. Iirc he had CAD skills and had it all cut professionally. I think he was from Canada and I remember he put a very pretty blue paint job on it.
I'll look for a link.

 

[Rustyiron]

Here it is.

3pt Log winch/grapple

I don't really care what Ramsey claims for line speed. I want to see it pulling a big log and compare that to how my PTO driven winch pulls. Jim I don't think you can compare the two, your pto winch would pull circles around my hyd. winch for sure. I put a pto winch on a 67 Bronco I had when...

www.tractorbynet.com

Pretty good conversations on this one.

 

[Gordon Gould]

When you build it I would design the grapple so that it has a by-pass closure on the grapple arms so that you can close tight on a single small diameter stick/log. Looking at the one you pictured I am not sure that the two grapple arms will by-pass. ????

gg

 

[arrow]

I feel slash pine is correct. Your tractor should be able to front grapple a 5' stem. The ten footers cut in half if you can't lift a complete one.
The most efficient way to clean up this wood lot you explained is to "forward" your logs with some type of wagon or trailer that can be separated from the tractor when loading.
You will save a ton of time and fuel from going back and forth as opposed to being able to forward 6 -8 stems or more at a time with a trailer.

 

[CalG]

I feel slash pine is correct. Your tractor should be able to front grapple a 5' stem. The ten footers cut in half if you can't lift a complete one.
The most efficient way to clean up this wood lot you explained is to "forward" your logs with some type of wagon or trailer that can be separated from the tractor when loading.
You will save a ton of time and fuel from going back and forth as opposed to being able to forward 6 -8 stems or more at a time with a trailer.

With 100 feet to move, time and fuel are likely not a large issue.
"A small parcel" was mentioned by the OP.

 

[CalG]

If I were cleaning up a small area, and I already had a logging winch (wench;-) fitted to the tractor. I might look hard are putting together a haul back line. Coupled with a remote for the winch, a lot of wood could be brought to the yard in short order.

But I can see the desire to have a rear grapple.
I worry about overloading the front end on small tractors when pressed to do big work.