building grapple

[bendrewjr]

I'm going to build a grapple for my Frey loader on a kubota 235 DT ( yes its old but it gets the job done ,only 600 true hrs.) The question I have & need advise on is. Will an electric accuature work instead of hydro.( say 800 lb.) Any and all replys appreciated I realy did not want to run another hydro line . But if I have to so be it. Thank you

 

[257NH]

It might work ok,but if your are going to be using it for long durations probably not.I dont think your tractors charging system will keep up with the draw.

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't think I'd worry much about the electrical draw unless you are opening and closing an awful lot or don't have a decent alternator. It would certainly use less battery juice than an electric winch on a Jeep. On average, while using my grapple to clear brush, I am opening a closing the grapple about once every few minutes at most and usually less often if you count the time traveling back and forth to the brush pile etc. I'd imagine you could get away with a relatively small motor so long as you were satisfied with just closing the grapple rather than crushing with it. That would certainly help the battery life too.

Having said this, if you have a set of rear remotes that is by far the quickest, cheapest and easiest way to set up a grapple control.