Grapple --- 1 Lid or 2

Scott65 · Mar 3, 2015

IslandTractor said:
You are not going to break your bottom tines believe me. The only way to break or damage a grapple with a CUT is to twist it. If you center loads before you lift then you cannot twist or hurt the grapple. Your FEL simply isn't strong enough even if you can lift both rear wheels off the ground. If you don't ram into things off center you won't damage either the grapple or the FEL either.

This sounds like a challenge... I think I'm gonna go run the tractor around for a bit.

I agree though. I'm no engineer so I can't vouch for every design or thickness/type of metal used. I didn't use anything special on mine. And no mathematical calculations, cad drawings, etc. I used my favorite method, eyeballin' it. I made a straight edge across the bottom to pinch stuff against the bucket, to pull branches out of trees and whatnot. After being very rough with it, abusive really, I bet that edge would nearly hold water still. As stated, the tractors lack of power and weight to gain traction probably keep it from exerting enough force to cause any real problems. And the hydraulic system is weak enough to keep you out of too much trouble as well. I've clamped on things with just the corner tine, full pressure, and still closes tight.

The weight savings is an interesting idea though. I had never thought about it but that is quite a limiting factor with a cud. I wonder how well something like this would hold up made of, let's say, aluminum? That would be pretty sweet.

Edit: Those references to metal types are Greek to me too. Somebody point out if that is a type of aluminum...

Hilbilly · Mar 3, 2015

Got it painted and another coat of spar urethane on the FEL knob. Now I just have to wait for it to dry, add another coat to the FEL knob, then wire the new knob to the diverter and I will be done. I don't think I will bother with more coats of paint, since I think it won't last long anyways.

TomSeller · Mar 3, 2015

Agree that lifting loads that twist the grapple is where you will do damage. The tines are configured vertically for a reason, that is their strongest dimension. Use a grapple properly and mild steel will do fine. Put it on a big loader and slam it around moving concrete blocks or whatever, you will bend it up. Many people don't understand that a CUT is in the 1500lb to 3000lb lift range. A big loader can be 10 x that. Easily.

IslandTractor · Mar 3, 2015

Hilbilly said:
Got it painted and another coat of spar urethane on the FEL knob. Now I just have to wait for it to dry, add another coat to the FEL knob, then wire the new knob to the diverter and I will be done. I don't think I will bother with more coats of paint, since I think it won't last long anyways.
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One comment based on your photo. I understand the desire to use a screen to protect the hydraulic cylinder. However, a screen like you have attached is going to snag brush and then fail to empty it so you will be (this is my prediction) frequently hopping off the tractor to pull little bits of brush out of the grapple screen. Easy to fix if you do find it a problem though. Just remove the screen and replace it with a single three inch strip of 1/4" steel directly below the cylinder.

If it helps at all, mine never has had any protection at all and the only damage I ever had was one time snagging the hydraulic line after I dumped a load. Never damaged the actual cylinder despite almost ten years of very active use. Photo of mine below. If I was building one today I would just use that 3" strip directly under the cylinder and they make sure the hydraulic lines were routed in such a way that they couldn't snag debris.

Hilbilly · Mar 3, 2015

I sure hope you're wrong about branches getting stuck in the screen. I really don't want to remove it after having to make a special trip to the city just to get the material. I guess time will tell. But not for a few days. I have to go into the City tomorrow so nothing will get done until Thursday.

IslandTractor · Mar 3, 2015

Hilbilly said:
I sure hope you're wrong about branches getting stuck in the screen. I really don't want to remove it after having to make a special trip to the city just to get the material. I guess time will tell. But not for a few days. I have to go into the City tomorrow so nothing will get done until Thursday.

Here's an idea. If branches do get stuck, leave the screen and bolt on a thin sheet of pexiglass underneath it so the branches are deflected away. The screen will then allow you decent visibility, protection and prevent food between the teeth syndrome).

k0ua · Mar 3, 2015

Boy that home made wooden know sure turned out pretty. It should last pretty well too. Of course you can always hit it again sometime before you put the tractor away when it starts to wear away.

Hilbilly · Mar 3, 2015

k0ua said:
Boy that home made wooden know sure turned out pretty. It should last pretty well too. Of course you can always hit it again sometime before you put the tractor away when it starts to wear away.

I'm really liking the way it turned out and thanks for the tip on the Spar Urethane. That is what I used and I think it will be very durable and looks cool too. I can't wait to try it out instead of using my temporary toggle switch. This should be way more convenient. I've got 4 coats on it now and will likely add another one before I go to town in the morning.

k0ua · Mar 3, 2015

Hilbilly said:
I'm really liking the way it turned out and thanks for the tip on the Spar Urethane. That is what I used and I think it will be very durable and looks cool too. I can't wait to try it out instead of using my temporary toggle switch. This should be way more convenient. I've got 4 coats on it now and will likely add another one before I go to town in the morning.

I have used it on some cedar benches that have been sitting out now for over 2 years. I think I put about 3 coats on the tops. They still look pretty good in sun and rain and snow, and all. The stuff don't smell too good going on until it is dry, but it works well. The wife can't stand to be within 50 feet of it when I am applying it..

Hilbilly · Mar 4, 2015

IT"S DONE!!!!!!!! and it works too. :cool2:

I tried it out a little and was impressed that it picked up a fairly large rock without any damage. I could tell by the way the tractor reacted to the load that it was quite heavy. I also tried grabbing a small log by the end and quickly discovered that it not as easy as I think it should be. I may need to make some mods if I want to do this very often. There appears to be a need to have something on the lower tines that lines up with the teeth on the lid, otherwise the lid pushes the log down and the butt of the log turns up, ie the log rotates because the grab points are offset from each other. Oh, and I love the new switch location, it makes a world of difference having the switch on the FEL control. I can see how there will be a lot of uses for this. My neighbor seen it and says he is jealous and wants one for his tractor too.