Botazilla is Born!!

[Glowplug]

Well, I finally got my grapple rake installed a week ago and just recently got the hydraulic hoses to the 3rd function valve configured the way I want them. Some of you have asked me to post some pictures. So here they are. On one of the other threads I had stated that now that the grapple is on my tractor looks like some sort of prehistoric beast. I believe "Botasaurus" had already been used in the past several years ago so I chose "Botazilla" as a nickname when the grapple is on.

 

[Glowplug]

Here's a couple of pics of Botazilla "eating" some brush.

 

[DieselPower]

Looks like Botazilla is a hungry monster. You better make sure you keep it well fed.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Ah, Mechabotazilla!

 

[johnk]

That machine looks awesome and I can only imagine it performs the same way...Good job...........

 

[MOPAULY]

That's one mean *** looking setup

 

[Volfandt]

I got some fence rows you could feed that beast

 

[Musclford]

Nice Job.....

I can already think back at how many times that would have been soooo handy around the house when I was cutting down trees...

 

[Glowplug]

Thanks guys. I'll have to post some pictures when I decide to feed this big overturned tree stump to Botazilla. Of course, I'll have to cut it into bite-sized pieces with the good ol' Stihl first.

 

[Taiser]

I GOTTA GET ME ONE OF THESE!!!!!!

 

[Northland]

Wow..that's one fine beast you have there Glowplug! I am so envious but I can't start rationalizing why I need to upgrade my B7800

 

[IslandTractor]

I'll have to cut it into bite-sized pieces with the good ol' Stihl first.

That's cheating. You have to at least try to lift that stump intact.

 

[IslandTractor]

Wow..that's one fine beast you have there Glowplug! I am so envious but I can't start rationalizing why I need to upgrade my B7800

Why upgrade the B7800? You can put a grapple on that easily and do 90% of what Glowplug can do (with a few more trips).

 

[Glowplug]

That's cheating. You have to at least try to lift that stump intact.

Okay. I'll give it a shot. That WOULD be impressive if I could lift that whole thing. That would make for some nice pictures.

 

[LaVita]

Very cool.

I know I have read numerous threads that you have posted to but what grapple did you settle on? Also what tractor and loader model do you have? Can you post a pic or two of the controls for the grapple? You added a valve so there is an additional control lever somewhere. I am curious how easy it is to work the loader and grapple controls as you position the grapple for a bite.

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[rdln]

sweet

 

[UpstateSC_Papi]

That is beautiful! Got several "piles" that it would quickly dispense of!

More pictures, please!

 

[RobJ]

Yall cut it out!!

 

[Glowplug]

I know I have read numerous threads that you have posted to but what grapple did you settle on? Also what tractor and loader model do you have? Can you post a pic or two of the controls for the grapple? You added a valve so there is an additional control lever somewhere. I am curious how easy it is to work the loader and grapple controls as you position the grapple for a bite.

I got the Markham Welding HD-66. It weighs 806#. They DO have a light-duty model that is much lighter. But it is not on the website. You'd have to call or email.
My tractor is a Kubota M7040HD 4WD. Loader is LA1153.

For controlling the grapple I actually have the optional 3rd function valve. It is an electronically controlled optional valve for that loader. It is enabled by pushing a little button on the joystick. Then it is controlled by pushing two buttons on the side of the joystick with your thumb. I have it set up so that the top button opens the jaws and the bottom button closes the jaws. With that optional 3rd function valve the hydraulic couplers are mounted on the front cross-bar on the loader. All I had to do was plug in the hoses. I didn't like the hoses that came with it so I got different ones. They were a little too long for my set-up. With a set-up like this I can literally do 3 functions at once. After dumping a load I have been able to lower the loader, curl the bucket, and close the jaws simultaneously. Problem is, though it is very slow. There is just not enough hydraulic flow to do it that way realistically. So it's not really necessary to set it up that way. Easiest would probably be to just run from the rear remotes. You can also get a diverter valve.

I've posted some pictures of all this so that hopefully it makes some sense.

 

[Glowplug]

Here are some more pictures. I have some railroad cross ties lining the riding arena I am dismantling. I thought that maybe they were just lying on the gound, partially buried. Well, come to find out, they have these iron spikes approximately 30" long anchoring them in the ground. The picture shows a load of about 5 railroad ties. If you look carefully you can see these spikes. I also was able to pull out some fence posts. It's probably not the most efficient way but it is fun. The BEST way would probably be with a 4-in-1 bucket. After all that Botazilla had to take a nap.