Added Grapple to bucket

setxjeff · Nov 27, 2016

Added grapple and tooth bar to bucket. Love it for small clean-up, still put full size grapple on for brush piles.
Grapple from Green Machine The Thumb They call it the Thumb. Tooth bar from titan implements.

Gordon Gould · Nov 28, 2016

Very handy and useful set up that you have added :thumbsup: I bet you find it way more capable than you originally thought and will enjoy the added versatility off having both a bucket and a grapple.

gg

nybirdman · Nov 28, 2016

I have the same exact set-up for my L4240 Kubota;best investment for the tractor ever.

Fiziksgeek · Nov 28, 2016

I have one on my little GC1720 and love it!

Leejohn · Nov 28, 2016

Here is the one I put together for around $500.00 bucket and all.

BAP · Nov 28, 2016

Looks great. I have one of the Green Machine The Thumb on my Kubota bucket. It works great and is very handy.

PHPaul · Nov 30, 2016

Thanks for posting this setxjeff!

I've lusted after a grapple or a thumb since the day I bought my tractor over a year and a half ago. Just couldn't bring myself to spend the kind of money a full grapple costs, plus didn't like the idea of having it permanently attached to the bucket.

After a couple of emails to Green Machine, I ordered the 24" model today and plan to build mounts for both my bucket and my forks. The fork frame will require some modification but the plan is to arrange things so it will bolt to either device in a few minutes.

I expect it'll get used most on the forks for handling firewood logs, but it will be nice to be able to swap it to the bucket if needed or just take it off completely.

As a cost-savings measure, I won't be adding a third function to the loader joystick (Holy COW they're expensive!) but will run hoses from the rear remote and use the separate valve in the cab.

I'll document the process and post pictures. The thumb was $467 including shipping, I should be able to get this done for under $700 including steel and hoses.

Leejohn · Dec 2, 2016

PHPaul said:
Thanks for posting this setxjeff!

I've lusted after a grapple or a thumb since the day I bought my tractor over a year and a half ago. Just couldn't bring myself to spend the kind of money a full grapple costs, plus didn't like the idea of having it permanently attached to the bucket.

After a couple of emails to Green Machine, I ordered the 24" model today and plan to build mounts for both my bucket and my forks. The fork frame will require some modification but the plan is to arrange things so it will bolt to either device in a few minutes.

I expect it'll get used most on the forks for handling firewood logs, but it will be nice to be able to swap it to the bucket if needed or just take it off completely.

As a cost-savings measure, I won't be adding a third function to the loader joystick (Holy COW they're expensive!) but will run hoses from the rear remote and use the separate valve in the cab.

I'll document the process and post pictures. The thumb was $467 including shipping, I should be able to get this done for under $700 including steel and hoses.

That's how I did mine to use on forks or bucket.

Bronco82 · Dec 12, 2016

The thumb grapple seems relatively inexpensive as an alternative to purchasing a full out grapple. I like it. And it seems like it would be able to grab brush and or rocks as well, which is what I would primarily be using a grapple for. Much cheaper than the $1990 grapple itself option.

PHPaul · Dec 12, 2016

I got an email from UPS today saying it's on the truck for delivery tomorrow.

If I can get to the steel place, I'll start on the project this weekend. Looks like it'll be too nasty to do anything else anyway.

nybirdman · Dec 12, 2016

Here is how I did mine.Tacked the nuts to the bottom of the angle for easy
removal.I had to "tilt" the angle a little so the Thumb would close on the bottom
of my bucket.I can pick up a one inch thick rock or a huge pile of brush.
The tooth-bar is a worth while addition also.

Creamer · Dec 12, 2016

I would sure like a grapple but I keep thinking I need more reach with the grapple as my biggest use for it would be for brush. Am I being too picky?

Xfaxman · Dec 12, 2016

Creamer said:
I would sure like a grapple but I keep thinking I need more reach with the grapple as my biggest use for it would be for brush. Am I being too picky?

Do you have pallet forks that you could add a Thumb to?

nybirdman · Dec 13, 2016

Creamer said:
I would sure like a grapple but I keep thinking I need more reach with the grapple as my biggest use for it would be for brush. Am I being too picky?

I wish I had taken pictures when moving brush piles;I could grab a huge pile with my set-up.Loaded logs on the a portable saw mill with great ease and control.Only limit with this set-up it doesn't open as wide as a full grapple;something like a large round bale would be difficult.

Creamer · Dec 13, 2016

I will be getting pallet forks as I have a lot of use for them on my Versatile. I wonder about the pallet forks for brush though as I have a lot of pond edge meaning willows and dead willows drop a lot of twigs which was why I was thinking grapple on a bucket.

The nice part of a grapple on pallet forks would be for handling more than one log as the tractor is big enough to handle more than one log.

PHPaul · Dec 16, 2016

Got a good start on installing the grapple mounts. Below Zero and 20 knots of wind and working in an unheated garage...what fun!

Details and more pix here:Shopbuilt Forum

mykleh · Dec 22, 2016

xfaxman you just have decide how the brush is.. if its tree tops and connected just get a bit and the rest comes along for the ride..

Xfaxman · Dec 22, 2016

Yep, then I go back and pick up what fell off along the way to the brush pile.

kevin37b · Dec 23, 2016

setxjeff said:
Added grapple and tooth bar to bucket. Love it for small clean-up, still put full size grapple on for brush piles.
Grapple from Green Machine The Thumb They call it the Thumb. Tooth bar from titan implements.View attachment 489597 View attachment 489598

I like the receiver hitch .

PHPaul · Dec 23, 2016

Some details to finish up. I didn't allow for bucket curl when I thought about hoses from the loader to the thumb cylinder so I need to let things flop until I can get longer hoses. Then I'll secure the hoses from the rear remote to the loader cross-member with a bracket and just have the hoses from there to the thumb flexing.

Also should have ordered the 28" instead of the 24" thumb, but I don't think that will be much of a problem, and if it is, I can rig an extension.

Full story here.