Grapple Bucket for c-systems 50 boom

[tdbrueggen]

Does anyone have a grapple bucket for this front end boom assembly? Really what I'm asking is, if you did, how do you add the tertiary hydraulic control? Is that an upgrade that I need an entirely new joystick for the front loader, or can I play it off the rear hydraulic ports somehow. Totally honest, this idea just came to me, so I haven't even looked that closely at my tractor. But I do know that I don't have a third control on the existing joystick, and I have two rear accessory hydraulic points.

I just bought the tractor a week ago, so I'm trying to figure out what all she's capable of. Very happy with it so far!

 

[teg]

There are a few different ways to get hydraulic power to a grapple, and they are not just for one brand or another. Since you have rear remotes, that will be the cheapest but somewhat awkward way. I don't think that would be a problem for me but some people like the ability to just press a button on the joystick to open and close the grapple. I would just run 1/4" hoses from the back to the front to control a grapple.

Do you want something cheap or do you have money to make it easy (electric hydraulic switch)? Lots and lots of reading about how you can do this on the TBN site.

See you are new to TBN, Welcome... feel free to ask all your questions.

 

[ericm979]

I couldn't decide between a diverter or a true third function so I just ran hoses from a rear remote to the EA grapple. It works reasonably well.

If you do go with a diverter or third function you can replace the handle on the loader valve with one that has the switch or switches that you need. Or attach a switch to the existing handle.

I'm using the grapple more than I thought I would. I only take it off when I need to scoop stuff up with the bucket.

 

[tdbrueggen]

I was thinking about getting a true grapple bucket with root raking ability. That's actually what got me looking at the grapple in the first place.

A while back I saw an option where a guy had made a mechanical thumb on his backhoe that operated off the bucket curl. So even though the thumb didn't have hydraulics, it just closed at a ratio as the bucket curled around. I suppose you could make a grapple bucket in the same sense. Maybe say when the bucket is curled mostly all the way down, the grapple is wide open. As you start to bring the bucket bottom (rake tines) up to a level bottom, the grapple would come down to meet it. I'm no fabricator, but I bet it can be done. Just a matter of the right radius on hinge points. Sure, it wouldn't be as adaptable as just a hydraulic actuated grapple, but certainly a lot simpler in basic functionality.

Honestly I guess I haven't looked at the system enough to fully understand it. Funny, I've owned a hydraulic excavator for years, but never had to think through a modification like this. I think a button on the joystick for the third function would certainly be the most comfortable.

 

[teg]

...I think a button on the joystick for the third function would certainly be the most comfortable.

It is, a dealer can do it for roughly $700 or you can get your own parts, If I remember correctly around $3 to 400. Running it off your rear remotes only costs the hose and a few connections, $100 max? I went another route and installed a 3 spool valve so I can run a hydraulic toplink and hydraulic sidelink for box blade work (it's super easy to make a box blade do exactly what you want it to do!!).

Eddie (the carpenter from Tx.) had an automatic grapple like you described... not sure what became of it - I think it was bulky. Then a long time ago there was these: (no extra hydraulic, just curl it!)

View attachment 538825

Mine: You can see the three spools above my FEL joystick
View attachment 538830

 

[tdbrueggen]

Yeah Teg that's it! Just fill in the space between those two crab claws with more of the same thing, all the way across. That's what I was envisioning. I still want the raking ability of it for sure, but then to be able to grab a pile of debris and cart it off, instead of just shoving it around everywhere.

 

[teg]

I have no idea why somebody did not expand on that old idea... I think the problem with 2 single claws is the unbalanced loads that you could get but if you add cross members and make it a single strong unit - you'll have something to make money with!!!!

Brush Crusher™ | Westendorf

website above...

 

[tdbrueggen]

Yeah Teg that's it! Just fill in the space between those two crab claws with more of the same thing, all the way across. That's what I was envisioning. I still want the raking ability of it for sure, but then to be able to grab a pile of debris and cart it off, instead of just shoving it around everywhere.

 

[tdbrueggen]

Sorry about the double post there. I was just checking out the Westendorf site myself. Seems odd they don't have that rake/grapple mechanical option. It seems so obvious to me. I can see how they might say it would be a bit bulky, but no worse than a hydraulic grapple bucket. I think maybe the general consumer concern would be more of the limited angle of use maybe? The Brush Crusher appears to be more of a vertical hanging application. So maybe the leverage just doesn't work to be able to have it serve as a rake and still have enough radius to come down and grab. I guess what I'm saying is if it's wide open, and down at such an angle that the rake would work, I feel like the grapple would be sticking straight out, and not necessarily up and out of the way. Then as you went to level up the rake to grab a pile it would be too small of a bite? Man I'm just having a hard time visualizing it. Need to put my hands on it.

 

[52wej]

I have a set of the brush crushers and they do a good job handling logs as well as brush. Mine are mounted on a c-50 loader on a 2004 century 2535. You do not need a third function valve to operate them. The down side is that you do have to remove pins and manually install on each separate loader arm. I have found them to be a good cost effective alternative to a grapple. But there are jobs where a full third function grapple will be better. Here is a picture of my tractor handling a log in the woods. They are great for clearing brush. They do an amazing job of compressing the brush. . W Jones