building a front grapple

[ihuntbear]

for those of you that built your own grapple.what size steel did you use for the bottom forks and the top forks.I went to the steel shop today all they have is mild steel.They said I should go with 1/2 x 4" flat bar so it wouldn't bend when in use.also what size for tubing going across the back where it hooks up to the fel.I did a search on this all I found was a drawing on how to make it but couldn't find anything on the size of steel was used.it would be great if somebody had a drawing with all the sizes and spacing.I am looking at building a 48" to 60 " one for quick coupling.

 

[Jeepnford]

I used 1/2" for the tines,schedule 80 pipe for the bottom X-brace and 1/4" square tube for the top brace. Welded it all to a QA plate for mounting to the loader arms.

 

[ihuntbear]

do you have any pitures

 

[/pine]

I am in the process of building a thumb grapple for small (LA301) loader bucket.

The bulk of the steel parts I am using came from an old HD floor jack (see attached pic)...all the steel is 1/4"...not sure of the grade but it seems a little harder than just mild steel.

I am just about ready to start cutting out the actual tooth bars...
...What I am looking for is a tooth pattern...does anyone have a section of a pattern that can be printed out to scale and over-lay it onto the steel as a cut line?

 

[mlitt12345]

here is my homemade grapple for my bucket..... it has 1/2" mild steel tines and gussets, 1/4" cross over tubes, and the upper lip of the bucket was beefed up at top and front with 3/8" flat stock...been over 4 years now and haven't bent anything....Mike

 

[djw250]

mlitt12345 I like that a lot. I've got the same loader, and have thought about doing exacly the same thing. Do you run it off the rear remotes or do you have another setup for the hydraulics?

 

[mlitt12345]

mlitt12345 I like that a lot. I've got the same loader, and have thought about doing exacly the same thing. Do you run it off the rear remotes or do you have another setup for the hydraulics?

I run it off rear remotes right now, but I want a Hyd top link too and my tractor only has 1 set of remotes.....so I'm gonna get a electric over hyd valve kit that WR Long makes to add remotes to the front and free up my rear remote for hyd top link.........Mike

 

[Jeepnford]

I'll try to get some pictures in the next day or two and post them.

 

[djw250]

I recently got a hyd. top link so I'd have to look into something like the WR Long kit myself. I don't have the SSQA setup on my loader so this type of grapple would be better for me. Do you leave it on the bucket most of the time or only when you know you'll need it?

 

[mlitt12345]

I recently got a hyd. top link so I'd have to look into something like the WR Long kit myself. I don't have the SSQA setup on my loader so this type of grapple would be better for me. Do you leave it on the bucket most of the time or only when you know you'll need it?

It stays on all the time.......Mike

 

[ihuntbear]

nice job...I started building mine the other night .everything is cut ,.I'm going with a rake grapple.5- 24" rake tines, 22" high and 48 " wide.all made with 1/2 x 4" mild steel plate and 1/4 x 2.5 tubing.I got most of the welding done for the big stuff on the rake just needs reinforcement gussets. then I'll start building the top grapple.I'll try to put up pictures

 

[koopster]

Ihuntbear, be sure to gussett the mild steel near the points. I would be afraid to bend the tines around when you snag something. I would be more apt to search out some 1144 or equiv. steel. If you have to use mild, cold rolled 1018 would be better then hot rolled A36 or equiv. (for the tines, at least...that will be the weak point)

 

[ihuntbear]

i was thinking about cutting up some car leaf spring for gussets.Would this work or to light

 

[ihuntbear]

just finished installing the button on the joystick.had to drill a hole on top for the switch and heat up a piece of coat hanger wire to run threw the joystick handle to run the switch wire threw.i think it looks pretty good.I hate things that look done half assed:thumbsup: some pictures of the installed button and one picture of the rake still in the works