EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
What does "CID" stand for?
Best steel for a grapple.
- Thread starter Mej13579
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LD1
Epic Contributor
Design is more important than material choice IMO.
The push to use AR steel or any higher strength steel isnt to make a stronger grapple. Its to make an equal strengh grapple weight less, but comes at a cost,
Some MFG's gusset the tines, some dont. A 6-8" long tine without gussets will bend regardless of steel used if it snags something that puts a side load on it.
I have a cheap(er) tomahawk single lid 66" grapple I use with my MX. Just plain A36 mild steel. But the tines are gusseted nearly to the tip so no, they dont and wont bend.
But if you are wanting to use it more like a rake, it dont work as well. For me, I just use it for handling brush and firewood and logs. Using one as a root-rake was not a requirement for me. I have the long-bottom style.
This is the one I have and you can see how the tines are gusseted
tomahawkattachments.com
The push to use AR steel or any higher strength steel isnt to make a stronger grapple. Its to make an equal strengh grapple weight less, but comes at a cost,
Some MFG's gusset the tines, some dont. A 6-8" long tine without gussets will bend regardless of steel used if it snags something that puts a side load on it.
I have a cheap(er) tomahawk single lid 66" grapple I use with my MX. Just plain A36 mild steel. But the tines are gusseted nearly to the tip so no, they dont and wont bend.
But if you are wanting to use it more like a rake, it dont work as well. For me, I just use it for handling brush and firewood and logs. Using one as a root-rake was not a requirement for me. I have the long-bottom style.
This is the one I have and you can see how the tines are gusseted
Tomahawk One-Cylinder Brush Grapple
Tomahawk Attachments is your premier factory-direct source for all sorts of skid steer attachments. Our high-quality, American-made attachments are…
tomahawkattachments.com
OP
Mej13579
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The other question is 3/8 grade 50 vs 1/4 ar400?
LD1
Epic Contributor
I wouldnt go 1/4" anything unless it was a sub-compact. Dont care what flavor of steel. Just too light
Torvy
Super Member
Not sure. Maybe initials of the founders?
CID Attachments | Skid Steer, Mini, and Excavator Attachments
CID specializes in manufacturing high quality Skid Steer, Compact track loader, Compact tractor, and Mini-Excavator attachments.
www.cidattachments.com
Torvy
Super Member
"Design is more important than material choice IMO."
The problem for most of us is that we are not design engineers.
It is all about trade offs. I could have paid less for a heavier grapple made with A36 or g50, but still had poor design. Cheaper steel keeps costs down, but is no guarantee of better design.
The one I ordered is 1/2" AR400. Root style. It weighs 200lbs less than a similar A36 grapple. Out the door was less than 2800. The steel itself is stronger by far. Any damage I cause would be as bad or worse with milder steel...all else being equal.
The problem for most of us is that we are not design engineers.
It is all about trade offs. I could have paid less for a heavier grapple made with A36 or g50, but still had poor design. Cheaper steel keeps costs down, but is no guarantee of better design.
The one I ordered is 1/2" AR400. Root style. It weighs 200lbs less than a similar A36 grapple. Out the door was less than 2800. The steel itself is stronger by far. Any damage I cause would be as bad or worse with milder steel...all else being equal.
Tinhack
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I don't see any prices or shipping costs. They sure don't want you to shop.Not sure. Maybe initials of the founders?
CID Attachments | Skid Steer, Mini, and Excavator Attachments
CID specializes in manufacturing high quality Skid Steer, Compact track loader, Compact tractor, and Mini-Excavator attachments.
CliffordK
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I picked up some grader blade edges (brand new) at the local government auction.
Unfortunately they have a slight curve to them. They'll be going into some projects... as soon as I figure out what needs some extra tough steel.
Unfortunately they have a slight curve to them. They'll be going into some projects... as soon as I figure out what needs some extra tough steel.
Torvy
Super Member
They sell through dealers. There's a guy in Denton on I35 that sells them...lonestar?I don't see any prices or shipping costs. They sure don't want you to shop.
GRAPPLE P0RN
Finally posting some pics. Sold the old single lid root grapple and fabbed up this twin lid lightweight one more suited to handling logs, firewood, roots, rocks, brush etc. Specs: * AR400 laser cut profiles * 66.5" width, 31" deep bottom, 40" grapple max opening, can hold 20" log when grapple...
www.orangetractortalks.com
You need a heck of a lot of force to bend 1/4 AR400. If you can bend it using a CUT maybe it isn't AR400.
The Tomohawk link was interesting. Similar design as mine but "thicker" tines and half the weight? Something doesn't add up, maybe they went with 1/8 tubing to hold the 3/8 tines. Maybe they use less gusseting. Probably use flame cut holes for the bolts being used as pins...like on my old grapple I sold that had 1/2" tines welded to 1/4" mild steel tubing. Guess where it was breaking...
