Grapple DIY

[downsizingnow48]

There are many commercial grapples available. I decided to make one partly because I like to make stuff, partly because I had the material laying around, and partly because I can make it exactly suited to the work I have in mind.

Photo 1: The main frame. The bottom rail is 3x3x1/4 tube. The top rail and sides are 2x4x1/4 tube. The side plates are flat bar 5x1/4. This makes a very stiff assembly. It is 52" wide. That includes 45" for the SSQA plus 3 1/2" on either side for the cylinders and hinges. I wanted it narrow for maneuverability.

Photo 2: Rather than make the SSQA adapter from scratch I used an adapter plate I got off ebay (rebar-monkey). It is nicely made.

Photo 3,4: I cut out the middle for visibility and used heavy expanded metal to keep sticks from poking back.

Photo 5,6,7,8: Making the top lid hinge tabs. The pivot point is behind the top rail to get a wide opening.

Photo 9: Test fit of hinge tabs. I want a full length top lid for raking.

Photo 10: Showing bottom tine mock-up. The angle is 15 degrees to provide good rollback at ground level. The tines are short (14") for maneuverability and leverage. They will have wedge/triangle gussets joining them together at the front.

Next week I should be able to get the bottom tines and top lid made up.

 

[houser52]

Looks like a good start. Nice work. It also looks like you used a Haala quick attach plate. I used one of those plates on a converted pin on pallet fork last year. Well made and locks up tight on my Kubota FEL.

 

[Mysfyt]

Pat, you're earning my respect with every pic! That's a very interesting vertical bandsaw you have there. You make that?

 

[downsizingnow48]

Yes I made it. Couldn't justify the cost of a commercial bandsaw. And I had the handheld Dewalt laying around unused 95% of the time. As it turns out the homemade table is versatile and accurate, so I use it a lot. I did a write up, I think the title was just bandsaw table.

 

[Xfaxman]

:thumbsup: Subscribed.

 

[Midniteoyl]

:thumbsup: Subscribed.

Ditto..

 

[ovrszd]

Lookin good Pat.

I built a tree spade few years ago. Left an opening in the plate like you have. Used it twice and then filled the hole. Allowed stuff to poke thru.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Good thing I saved the cut out piece might have to weld it back in!

 

[rswyan]

Good thing I saved the cut out piece might have to weld it back in!

I used #9 expanded metal as a backing on the one I built ... and found out real quick that without support bars behind it, it tended to get bent up pretty quick.

 

[LD1]

Subscribed also

 

[downsizingnow48]

What I used was also #9. Guess I need to add some bars!

 

[Mysfyt]

Yes I made it. Couldn't justify the cost of a commercial bandsaw. And I had the handheld Dewalt laying around unused 95% of the time. As it turns out the homemade table is versatile and accurate, so I use it a lot. I did a write up, I think the title was just bandsaw table.

Very well done!

 

[downsizingnow48]

Very well done!

Thanks!

 

[sd455dan]

Yes I made it. Couldn't justify the cost of a commercial bandsaw. And I had the handheld Dewalt laying around unused 95% of the time. As it turns out the homemade table is versatile and accurate, so I use it a lot. I did a write up, I think the title was just bandsaw table.

Really like the bandsaw table and great job on the grapple, I looked up the bandsaw thread

here is a link for anyone wanting to check it out:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/322548-bandsaw-table.html?highlight=band+saw+table

Cool:thumbsup:

 

[downsizingnow48]

I appreciate the positive feedback on the homemade vertical bandsaw. I had no way of knowing whether it would be useful or if it would work at all. But it turned out fine. As a side note the DeWalt saw is truly excellent, no blade wander or flex or anything.

The Chief Operating Officer set out several house improvement projects that need to be done before a bunch of family visits from Labor Day through New Year's, so I am trying to get those out of the way early.

But I managed to carve out some time for the grapple project - making the lower tine gussets.

Photo 1,2: The 16 triangular gussets are 3/16 x 2 1/2 flat bar. The cutting jig looks wacky, but once it was set up, it took less than 10 minutes to make 16 identical long cuts.

Photo 3: Making the 16 short cuts. I have a hard time throwing away any piece of metal no matter how useless it might appear. In this case a piece of scrap was perfect for holding the gussets in the same position for 16 identical 45 degree cuts.

Photo 4: jig for tacking the gussets to the lower tines. Everything is held square and straight and tight.

Photo 5: Making the stretchers. They are 6 1/8". I measured the first one, then all the rest are cut identical using a stop block.

Photo 6: Test assembly. I think it will be easier, and turn out straighter, to make the lower tine assembly as shown, rather than weld everything piece by piece to the main frame.

In the middle of the week I will get to work on the upper lid assembly.

 

[suncoast]

Hi Richard, We have a palm tree nursery / farm. When digging trees we have been using a "Dyna-Digger" the majority of the time but it really is not the most efficient method as a Canary Island Date palm 10' - 12' has a very large base and root structure.
Forgive me if you have posted a story on this but I wanted to know if you have any pictures and / or build diagrams for the "Tree Spade" that you built? We desparetly need one but as I'm sure you know that the coast is outrageous for a new unit and the used ones are most often very damaged or are one dig away from falling into pieces.
I would appreciate any items that could be used for reference on a new build.
Thank you, Gene ODonnell

 

[suncoast]

Hi Richard, we have a palm tree nursery / farm. When digging trees we have been using a "Dyna-Digger the majority of the time but it really not the most efficient method as a Canary Island Date palm 10' - 12' has a very large base and root structure.
Forgive me if you have posted a story on this but I wanted to know if you have any pictures and / or build diagrams for the "Tree Spade" that you built? We desparetly need one but as I'm sure you know that the coast is outrageous for a new unit and the used ones are most often very damaged or are one dig away from falling into pieces.
I would appreciate any items that could be used for reference on a new build.
Thank you, Gene ODonnell

 

[ovrszd]

Gene, I don't have a picture on my phone. Mine is a simple spade shape and works fine on small trees. You need a hydraulic multi spade unit. Yes, they are very expensive and hard to find in good condition. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Took a break from house rehab projects to tack up the lower tines.

Photo 1 - Cannot have too many clamps.

Photo 2 - The design borrows from many who have posted here. In particular the spade shaped stiffeners from rswyan and the cross bars from k0ua. I am hoping this works good for uprooting undergrowth and ripping out surface roots.

With the lower tines in place I can start on the upper lid.

 

[Jeepnford]

Looks great. BTW, what are the sawhorse looking steel tables you're building the grapple on? I'd like to look in to getting some of those.