Grapple --- 1 Lid or 2

[Xfaxman]

Didn't get much done today but I did get the gussets in. Had other things that needed attention.

:thumbsup:

 

[dirt ditch]

Looks really good Hilbilly. If you have not thought of it already I would suggest deciding how to run the hydraulic hoses through the frame before welding on the grapple mounts. This is how the hoses on my grapple are run.

 

[k0ua]

Much easier to strike an arc when you can see where the end of the rod is.

Ain't that the truth!:thumbsup:

 

[k0ua]

Didn't get much done today but I did get the gussets in. Had other things that needed attention.
View attachment 411407View attachment 411408

Man, you are doing great! :thumbsup:

 

[Hilbilly]

Dirt Ditch, I like the way your hydraulic hoses are run but I think I will do it the simple / easy way for now. It looks like the back of the upper frame has been cut out to gain access to the inside of the cross tube. If I have problems with the hoses in the future, I could still do the same thing.

k0ua, thanks for the compliment.

I'm still learning a lot with this build, plus I'm getting better with OA cutting (lots of practice). Still not good with the stick welder but just love my wire feed. I thought I wrecked it at one point because I couldn't keep a weld going. It would just kind of fizzle and not produce a proper weld. So I was forced to use the stick and man those welds don't look very nice. I did find a rod that was easier to use though. It was the 7014. I eventually realized what was going on with my wire feed and got it going again. For some reason the drive roller tension wasn't tight enough and wasn't feeding wire properly. It's all good now.

Today I tackle the lid and hopefully the mounting brackets. It will take some time though since I need to drill a bunch of big holes in 3/8" material and get the hole locations precise. For that I will need to extend and retract the cylinder and I'm not sure I have the right fittings for it. May have to run into the city (there's most of a day shot).

 

[Hilbilly]

Almost done with the fab work.

 

[TomSeller]

Where do I buy one?

 

[IslandTractor]

Really nice job.

 

[Oldpath05]

I finally got here, and I'm a little on the late side because I went down to many rabbit trails. Did I miss it or is there any pics. of just adding a middle grapple to a tractor bucket? I really don't want to take mind off, my L3400 does not have a quick disconnect type bucket, just want an add on.

 

[IslandTractor]

I finally got here, and I'm a little on the late side because I went down to many rabbit trails. Did I miss it or is there any pics. of just adding a middle grapple to a tractor bucket? I really don't want to take mind off, my L3400 does not have a quick disconnect type bucket, just want an add on.

Pretty straightforward project to add a single grapple arm to a bucket. You can either buy a grapple arm and then weld a mount to the bucket or weld some
Mounts to a plate and bolt or weld the plate to the bucket.