Grapple Design

[dtd24]

I had to just go ahead and make the design a final. I tend to over engineer things. I want to make a mock up this weekend. Here is the front elevation. I'm not totally sure on the length of my bucket so I guessed it to be 5'. I figure a 1-6 claw should be fine.

 

[IslandTractor]

I figure a 1-6 claw should be fine.

I'd suggest you reconsider the width of the upper jaw. Half the width of the bucket would be better. Look at the proportions on the Add A Grapple. I think you'll find that brush and smaller branches will "leak" out the sides if you can compress it only in a narrow spot.

 

[moeh1]

Hear you on the over engineering - guilty too. Owish I had you CAD skills, would cut down on the mock up and re-work. The other observation is that many of the other designs have a serrated (sp?) profile, probably for gripping trees. It looks like you are considering square tubing? You can weld on some small squares periodically, set on an angle, versus all the custom plasma cutting that guys talked about. Hmmm, maybe this justifies that plasma cutter I've been eyeballing....

 

[jmc]

Couple of comments that I hope I didn't miss when reading the thread:

Sometimes its handy to back drag with the tips of the grapple teeth. You might open the grapple all the way, uncurl the bucket all the way, and see if the tips touch the ground and still have some volume under them for brush.

Also, at some point, consider the leverage of over 12,000 lbs on your upper bucket lip...

John

 

[3RRL]

dtd24,
Hey, what's happening with your grapple design?
Did you start making one yet?

 

[MrJimi]

He's probably in the shop with his plasma cutter and welder, I'm curious to
we need pictures

 

[dtd24]

I wish I was in the shop. Last week we got a crazy snow storm. 3' in about 20 hrs or so. I have been busy moving snow around. It was my first time plowing with my tractor. It was fun for a bit, but I like my plow truck better. Much warmer!!!!!!!

I have although printed out full size drawings (at work shhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!) of the grapple parts for my mock up.

 

[Kendall69]

The opening is too small. If you need it for brush etc , a 21/2 bite is not much

 

[dtd24]

kendall- it's almost 3' !!!! I think that should work. I am borrowing one from a friend to examine a bit, so the design may change again. Hope not though. I just want to burn some metal!!!

 

[3RRL]

Yeah, get with it. We want to see pictures.