Grapple designs?

[Sedgewood]

Here's a closer view of the thumb. I don't weld or have easy access to one so I machined the parts and assembled it with 1/2 inch grade 5 bolts. I thought the bolts would give and the plan is to replace them with 3/4 inch grade eight. But they proved not to be the weak link /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Another weak link is the tabs on the bucket. They bent when I grabbed a tree near the butt and dragged it, which twisted the bucket (and caved it one side a bit too).

I laid it out so the bucket curls right around the thumb which comes to rest in the very bottom of the bucket. The idea being to be able to dig without removing the thumb but I haven't had a chance to give that a good try yet (beyond digging icebergs that is - the quick attach is seen in these shots resting on one of them).

Sedgewood

 

[pajoube]

Sedgewood,
Great shots, thank you. The mini hoe for your size tractor is heavier than for the 425 but I sure like what you made.
We will be interested to see what kind of fix you come up with to strengthen the hoe.
Along with the other problem you now have this has been a tough week.