3 point hitch grapple

Lt220 · Mar 19, 2011

My latest tractor implement project.....a 3 point hitch grapple. I tossed up the idea about this for a while. On my days off from the fire hall, I help my Father-in-law cut trees. While he is in the bucket truck doing the trimming, I'm on the ground doing the dragging! I wanted to build something that I could drag brush to the chipper pile and also skid small logs. I came up with a forked bucket that hooks up to my JD quick hitch with a hydraulic grapple mounted to the bucket. The grapple is removable so I can use the forked bucket for other tasks as well. The pictures don't show it but I did go back and reinforce all the joints on the grapple arm with welded metal gussets to help secure the joints due to the hydraulic pressure. I also made welded fixed pins for the 3 point arms and top link because I wanted it to fit my quick hitch. The bucket works very well with my hydraulic top link also. This allows me to tip the bucket up or down. The cost for all metal, hardware, cylinder, hoses and paint was somewhere around $400.00.

Runner · Mar 19, 2011

Nice work, LT.

Looks like you could pick up a car with it.

herringchoker · Mar 20, 2011

Great idea.....I like it! :thumbsup: Thanks for posting and for the great pics.

gladehound · Mar 20, 2011

$400! Let me send you my shipping address :laughing:

farmernate24 · Mar 20, 2011

Beautiful work! You could market that commercially in a heart beat.

JohnDeere4300 · Mar 20, 2011

Very nice job!!

Don't think I've seen one on the 3PH!.. I like it!

Post some pictures of some action shots when you get time!

Thanks for sharing!
.

Gordon Gould · Mar 20, 2011

I agree, great unit and workmanship. That thing has quite a mouth on it, you should be able to get around most anything. Some action shots would be appreciated when you put it to work. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us.

gg

TraderMark · Mar 21, 2011

Great job!!!! :thumbsup:

teg · Mar 29, 2011

farmernate24 said:
Beautiful work! You could market that commercially in a heart beat.

Ditto, on this comment. It needs the Hydraulic Toplink to work but TnT is so useful, too.

I can not believe this thread is not more popular. I think it's really a creativity idea.

JB4310 · Mar 30, 2011

Great Idea :thumbsup:
I have been toying with the idea of a front grapple, I f I do finally do it, I will definetly make it adaptable to the imatch.

JB

Lt220 · Mar 31, 2011

Thanks for all the replys. Got to use the grapple for the first time yesterday. I was helping my Father-in-law cut a large poplar tree and the grapple made clean-up of the limbs quick and easy. I can't believe the power and force this thing has. The design let me load and unload massive limbs and logs with-out leaving the tractor. I am very well pleased with it.

Marveltone · Apr 1, 2011

What a truly unique solution! Use the strong end of the tractor for the heavy lifting. I'll bet it makes an excellent skidder too.

Can't wait for pictures!

Joe

swmich42 · Apr 1, 2011

Great looking implement. You could market this on a commercial basis.

Could you provide a few of the matarial specs that helped you create this? Boxed frame member guage, size, type of metal, and the rear hydrolics? Or just provide a general guideline, when deciding to create a 3 point monuted design.

I have a JD 4700 and would like to get more use out of my 3 point.

Your welds look very clean, smooth, professional. You must have been in the welding trades.

I do not have much welding experience, but will soon be looking to fabricate some 3 point frame members in the near future, and could use some advice. (on a much more amateur basis than what you have created)

I am in the investigation stage, and will be looking for a welder, stock metal, etc.

archerynut · Apr 1, 2011

That looks awesome. I can't wait to see action pics.

beenthere · Apr 1, 2011

Good on your project.
Seems a bit on the heavy side as I look at it, and thinking about sliding into a brush pile. Action shots and a video would be just great to see.

I've been planning a single grapple bar for my Deere forks that would work for FEL or 3 ph. Your build gave me some more incentive.

This is the Deere fork on the iMatch with hyd top cyl.

Chaddo · Apr 3, 2011

Lookin very good, nice job :thumbsup:

JB4310 · Apr 3, 2011

beenthere said:
I've been planning a single grapple bar for my Deere forks that would work for FEL or 3 ph. Your build gave me some more incentive.

This is the Deere fork on the iMatch with hyd top cyl.

I've been toying with the same idea, Not sure which to put it on though, the forks or the 6 ft high volume bucket. i just need that little bit of grabbing force to hold those bulky loose loads on.

I modded my forks to work on imatch as well but on the 3 pt would limit you to just moving the stuff around, when I need to move this stuff I usually need to load it up onto a dump trailer, so the loader mount would be used more. But I always like the extra options, and being able to use it on the 3 pt could come in handy I'm sure.

JB.

beenthere · Apr 3, 2011

Right JB
I'm sure I would use it mostly on the FEL work.

Lt220 · Apr 3, 2011

Marveltone said:
What a truly unique solution! Use the strong end of the tractor for the heavy lifting. I'll bet it makes an excellent skidder too.

Can't wait for pictures!

Joe

Yes, I works well for skidding also. I will try and post some actions pictures very soon.

Lt220 · Apr 3, 2011

swmich42 said:
Great looking implement. You could market this on a commercial basis.

Could you provide a few of the matarial specs that helped you create this? Boxed frame member guage, size, type of metal, and the rear hydrolics? Or just provide a general guideline, when deciding to create a 3 point monuted design.

I have a JD 4700 and would like to get more use out of my 3 point.

Your welds look very clean, smooth, professional. You must have been in the welding trades.

I do not have much welding experience, but will soon be looking to fabricate some 3 point frame members in the near future, and could use some advice. (on a much more amateur basis than what you have created)

I am in the investigation stage, and will be looking for a welder, stock metal, etc.

Thanks for the welding compliment....no I am just an amateur when it comes to welding....I am a finish carpenter so wood is my thing....just enjoy learning new things. As far as materials, I used 3/16 wall 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" tubing, 2" x 2" x1/4" angle iron and 2 1/2" x 3/8" flat stock. I came up with the design because I wanted a grapple for moving brush and skidding logs. I don't have a FEL for my 3032E yet so this allows me to move brush in a very functional way. As far as the hydraulics, I purchased the rear 2 spool SCV that was available for the JD 3032E. You should be able to add a SCV to your tractor as well.