Grapple Front boom and grapple?

Horse · Aug 13, 2003

Mornin all. Anybody seen or heard of a front boom attachment? I will be stacking log walls on my barn and was thinking a Boom and grapple arrangement would be better than just pallet forks. I have a 4410 ordered with a 430 FEL. Anybody out there maybe worked around the timber industry and know of anything? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Casimir · Aug 13, 2003

I have seen pictures of a 3-pt boom pole modified with a quick attach plate for a bobtach or ATI quick attach for use on a FEL also equipped with the bobtach or ATI systems. If you weld, you could probably make one to fit the JD quick attach system on the FEL. Getting a log dangling at the end of the boom pole, however, would put a lot of leverage on your FEL. You would need a big counterweight on the 3-pt, and may max out the hydraulics on your FEL.

You can also probably buy a grapple to fit the JD quick attach system on the FEL. You would need an additional remote hydraulic setup to operate the grapple.

Finally, a 4-in-1 bucket would grip logs, allowing you to lift them as high as your FEL would lift -- which may not be quite enough for a wall on a barn. You would need the same remote that you would for a grapple.

Good luck on your search. These folks on TBN have a lot of good ideas and experience. I am sure more will chime in /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

WCarlson · Aug 13, 2003

Horse,
If a backhoe is feasible it could be used to raise logs to the height that a backhoe would dig. I have been very successful handling logs with precision by using a chain around the bucket hinges on my backhoe and logging tongs. Some trial and error on placement of the tongs is necessary to reach a balance point, then the backhoe is used as a crain. On milled logs, and railway ties, I have used the chain around the bucket hooked to the largest screw eye I can find placed at the balance point with equally satisfactory results. The backhoe would allow placement of logs significantly higher than the FEL/pallet fork option and the backhoe would be useful for many other tasks.
Good Luck,
Bill

Henro · Aug 13, 2003

Hi,

I you take a look at the "Spencer's pole barn project" you can see some pictures of what he did along those lines.

It is in the Projects forum...sorry I did not think to find the link before starting to type this, but you will find it easily I think...

Golfgar4 · Aug 13, 2003

Here's the link to Spencer's Pole Barn Project.
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GreenMtnMan · Aug 13, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You can also probably buy a grapple to fit the JD quick attach system on the FEL. You would need an additional remote hydraulic setup to operate the grapple. )</font>

I responded in another thread, but I have this grapple http://www.borgford.com/grapple.htm . It works great, and they custom build them for your tractor. In my case it bolts right up to the standard JD bucket attach mechanism so it takes no more than 2-3 minutes to change between the grapple and the bucket. You do need the extra front hydraulics (third SCV) to operate the grapple or a 4-in-1 bucket.