Bucket question

ddonnell · Dec 30, 2006

What is the size difference between the grapple bucket and the light material bucket? I can't find anything in the PT literature that gives this information. Would it be feasible and/or practical to fabricate grapple arms for the LMB (maybe even with an easy on - easy off type feature) that would allow it to do double duty? I'm guessing there must be some issues with doing this since they make both buckets, but I can't really see what they'd be.

KentT · Dec 31, 2006

The grapple bucket is the same size as the smaller, heavy-duty rock bucket. The LM bucket will hold almost twice the amount of LIGHT material, such as mulch.

It would certainly be feasible to put a add-on grapple on the LM bucket, just as some folks here have added toothbars to theirs...

ddonnell · Dec 31, 2006

I've read here that the LM bucket is made of pretty heavy guage steel and that if you are reasonable in what you try to dig or lift with it, it would suffice for most bucket needs. Since it holds more than the rock or grapple buckets, why aren't PT or some of the welding wizards on this forum adding grapples to the LMB? If someone has, I've missed it. A picture from anyone who has would be great. I'm trying to narrow down my attachment wish list.
Dave

RegL · Dec 31, 2006

ddonnell said:
I've read here that the LM bucket is made of pretty heavy guage steel and that if you are reasonable in what you try to dig or lift with it, it would suffice for most bucket needs. Since it holds more than the rock or grapple buckets, why aren't PT or some of the welding wizards on this forum adding grapples to the LMB? If someone has, I've missed it. A picture from anyone who has would be great. I'm trying to narrow down my attachment wish list.
Dave

I have the grapple bucket and use it all the time but if I was going to go to the trouble of adding a grapple to something, I think I would choose something other than a bucket. Forks, rakes, etc. would be much more efficient with a grapple than a bucket in most cases.

MossRoad · Dec 31, 2006

I built a grapple for my small bucket. The hydrauylics were strong enough to rip out the metal tha I welded the grapple to. I think the same would happen with the LMB. There is probably more reinforcing on the grapple bucket than on the LMB or small bucket than appears to the naked eye.

ddonnell · Dec 31, 2006

MossRoad,

If you reinforced the area where the metal gave way, say with a strip of 3/8" plate (maybe welded and bolted), do you think you'd have the same problem again? RegL suggested adding grapples to the forks which makes a lot of sense too.

I see a definite use for a grapple setup of some sort, and I'm not sure that the 4 in 1 bucket is the best of either the grapple world or the bucket world (admittedly, I've never used one). Having the dedicated grapple bucket would be nice but storage (and cost) also become issues. I'm open for any and all suggestions.

MossRoad · Jan 1, 2007

ddonnell said:
MossRoad,

If you reinforced the area where the metal gave way, say with a strip of 3/8" plate (maybe welded and bolted), do you think you'd have the same problem again? RegL suggested adding grapples to the forks which makes a lot of sense too.

I see a definite use for a grapple setup of some sort, and I'm not sure that the 4 in 1 bucket is the best of either the grapple world or the bucket world (admittedly, I've never used one). Having the dedicated grapple bucket would be nice but storage (and cost) also become issues. I'm open for any and all suggestions.

I store my small 5 cubic foot rock bucket inside my large 10 cubic foot bucket. I store the forks inside the small bucket. So I get three implements in the space of one. By looking at their price sheet, I think the grapple bucket is 45" wide, the same as the rock bucket and 4-in-1 bucket. The LMB is 48" wide, so I'm pretty sure they would store the same way. Of course, you should check with the factory to be sure.

ddonnell · Jan 5, 2007

Questions:

1. Has anyone added a grapple to the forks for a 425? If so, any pictures would be great! Seems like that setup could work well for brush pickup.

2. Is the non-adjustability of the 425 forks much of a drawback? I presume that the fork spread is set for a standard pallet pickup.

3. Would it be possible or even desirable to take a custom attachment plate, weld grapples to that, then weld a PT male plate (with some spacers) to the front of the custom attachment plate so you could pick up any attachment and have "built-in" grapple arms at your disposal? I realize that you'd probably have to manually lock the attachment to the second male PT plate.

4. Has anyone seen any lightweight and adjustable forks that could be adapted for 425 use?

woodlandfarms · Jan 5, 2007

I have seen a a number of interesting grapples for the bobcat skid series. One from bobcat and a bunch 3rd party. I don't know much about them, but I can't imagine the small ones are any stronger than the 425...

BobRip · Jan 5, 2007

ddonnell said:
Questions:
ANSWERS IN CAPS.

2. Is the non-adjustability of the 425 forks much of a drawback? I presume that the fork spread is set for a standard pallet pickup. NOT A BIG PROBLEM, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE IT ADJUSTABLE. I AM GOING TO THINK ABOUT THIS. A SLIDER THAT ATTACHED TO ONE FORK AND COULD NARROW THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM WOULD BE NICE. IF THIS IS CONFUSING IT'S BECAUSE I HAVE NOT THOUGHT IT OUT.

3. Would it be possible or even desirable to take a custom attachment plate, weld grapples to that, then weld a PT male plate (with some spacers) to the front of the custom attachment plate so you could pick up any attachment and have "built-in" grapple arms at your disposal? I realize that you'd probably have to manually lock the attachment to the second male PT plate.
I LIKE THE CONCEPT. HOW EFFECTIVE IT WOULD BE DEPENDS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND HOW WELL THOUGH OUT IT IS.

4. Has anyone seen any lightweight and adjustable forks that could be adapted for 425 use? I HAVE NOT. I HAVE NOT LOOKED FOR IT EITHER.

SEE ANSWERS IN CAPS