Grapple --- 1 Lid or 2

Xfaxman · Feb 19, 2015

Hilbilly said:
Your timing is perfect!! I was looking at that top piece tonight and thinking this is the weak point in the whole grapple. That top piece is only restrained on the outside edge but the inside is open. I thought about adding another restraint on the inside edge but I like your idea more. I'd rather add them now, than maybe have to cut out a bent one later and then add them. I'm in the middle of adding some gusset plates to the back edge of the tines too. I was also thinking that maybe there should be another stiffener between the pipe sections at the front of the tines and the back and then I see that yours has them. I'm still on the fence about this though since I don't see this grapple getting much hard use. As a matter of fact I'm not sure it will get much use at all, but I had to have one after reading all the threads about them and seeing the pics.
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Happened across a commercial grapple without a stiffener in the middle, like yours. Ammbusher Talon Grapple

Hilbilly · Feb 19, 2015

Xfaxman said:
Happened across a commercial grapple without a stiffener in the middle, like yours. Ammbusher Talon Grapple

View attachment 412954

I think the big difference between my build and a commercial grapple is that I am using mild steel. I could be totally wrong (it's happened before) but I think the commercial ones use a better grade of steel. I had an issue with the grapple lid binding at the hinge points and thought I would have to use heat to open up the gap between the mounting plates but was shocked when I could do it rather easily with a crow bar and no heat. The mounting plates are made of 3/8" x 3" mild steel, just like the tines. So if I could easily bend a short section of it, I'm thinking those long tines would be more susceptible to bending under stress. I'm very close to finishing the fab work, only one more set of brackets to weld on (unless I add the intermediate stiffeners). I just can't seem to get the time to get it done and it's driving me crazy. I'm so close. I didn't get to spend any time on it yesterday, only a few minutes on it tonight and probably wont' get any time on it tomorrow. Hopefully Friday. Then I think I will give it a try without the extra stiffeners, before painting, to see how it holds up.

Hilbilly · Feb 19, 2015

Well I got the fab work done and had to use some temporary wiring to operate the hydraulics but IT WORKS!!!!!!:cool2:

I might still add some stiffeners between the tines and maybe some more plate to protect the hydraulic cylinder and hoses. Then give it a try and if all seems ok, it will be time to try my new sandblaster and give it some paint.

Underdog57 · Feb 19, 2015

Nice job, really lookin good!!!! Going to look real nice painted.

TomSeller · Feb 19, 2015

Yes, very nice. How tall is that opening?

k0ua · Feb 19, 2015

TomSeller said:
Yes, very nice. How tall is that opening?

I would guess about 42 inches. Just a guess .

Xfaxman · Feb 19, 2015

Gooder-un. :thumbsup:

The opening looks large. What does it measure?

Hilbilly · Feb 19, 2015

k0ua said:
I would guess about 42 inches. Just a guess .

Good guess. It's 43" but I might open it up to 44", which is where I was originally planning to have it. I'll see how it goes during some initial testing. First I have to rig up a switch for the new diverter valve.

I'm thinking maybe I should add another "tooth" at the front of the lid. What do you grapple users think. Plus any other suggestions, before it gets painted, would be appreciated.

IslandTractor · Feb 20, 2015

I'm not sure another middle tooth would do much but as that top lid is wide, any bracing you can add to resist twisting it would be a plus IMO.

Xfaxman · Feb 20, 2015

IslandTractor said:
I'm not sure another middle tooth would do much but as that top lid is wide, any bracing you can add to resist twisting it would be a plus IMO.

Hilbilly said:
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I'm thinking maybe I should add another "tooth" at the front of the lid. What do you grapple users think. Plus any other suggestions, before it gets painted, would be appreciated.

Don't think you need a middle tooth, but agree with IslandTractor about a brace.

Sometimes you need to pull on the end of a log or tree trunk. That is why the "teeth" are in the middle of this one from EA. Maybe you could add something similar.