homemade grapple

Ekim_Otsiam · Jul 16, 2001

more pictures

Ekim_Otsiam · Jul 16, 2001

more. I wish i could figure out how to put more images on one page

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Ekim_Otsiam on 07/16/01 09:33 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

Jag · Jul 17, 2001

Ekim, nice looking equipmnet. How well does it work. do you have a picture working....

gordon · Jul 17, 2001

Ditto that... Looks like you put a good deal of work into building it. How well does it work?

Gordon

LilRhody · Jul 17, 2001

Ekim....I noticed you live in Webster Mass. I went through Webster for the first time yesterday (07/16/01); I'm right around the corner from you. When can I drop off my JD for its new grapple? Very nice looking attachment. Good Luck with it. Steve H.

Ekim_Otsiam · Jul 17, 2001

Thanks guys; it works pretty much as i hoped(surprisingly).The loader will lift 1000lbs with the bucket so i figure its alittle less with the grapple because it weighs alittle more. Ive picked up a 10'x12" telephone pole no problem, actually had some already installed 4' in the ground that i wanted moved. Just drove over grabbed it and lifted it straight out of the ground.Ill try and post some picts of me picking one up.Idesigned it so i can hydraulically rotate it but right now i just pull a pin and turn it by hand.It will fit on any loader with the same spacing as the LA481.Also designed it so i can use a different bracket and mount it on the 3ph to possibally(sp) skid some small logs/trees .Posted other picts in the attachments forum but here`s another.

jinman · Jul 17, 2001

Great looking grapple, Ekim-O. If you want to get several photos in one post, you need to composite them ahead of time so they are in one file. As long as it doesn't exceed 200 kbytes you are okay. Otherwise, one post-one photo./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

JimI

Ekim_Otsiam · Jul 22, 2001

more picts of grapple in use . ill pick up and transport with poles horizontal then pull pin and rotate to put in holes vertical

Ekim_Otsiam · Jul 22, 2001

Ekim_Otsiam · Jul 22, 2001

one more

PBMAX · Jul 24, 2001

Man with that hydrolic ratation option you mentioned.Just ad an auger and you could really reduce the sweat factor of fence post installing...That is /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Laziness is the Father of invention.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Lil' Paul
Proud owner of TC21D

scruffy · Jul 24, 2001

Seems to me a patent is in order here!

Ekim_Otsiam · Jul 24, 2001

As a matter of fact, i do have a post hole auger.Thats my plan, to just sit on the tractor,make the holes,and then drop the poles in. Now that i have all the equipment to do my fence project,i`ll probably never get it done!! But just knowing i can do it is fine with me.As far as a patent goes,i figured if there was a serious need for one of these ,someone would have done it by now.If anyone would like one of these just email me and i`ll give you the address to send your blank check to./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

scruffy · Jul 25, 2001

Ekim, you seen the interest here on TBN, seems to me (IMHO)that a little test marketing would show a much broader interest! Of course, you should patent it to protect yourself if the product takes off!

jinman · Jul 26, 2001

Mike, you may be right about there not being a big market for your grapple, but I think there aren't many like it for small tractors. For the average user, probably a boom pole and chain would do for moving/setting posts, but someone in the fencing business or installing pole barns for a living might find your grapple very handy and time saving. Even if you decide not to patent it, a well drawn set of plans and list of materials could also be marketable. You have done a really professional job and the photos show how well it works. Very nice! /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

JimI

Rowski · Jul 26, 2001

Have you tried it with small stones or brush piles? Nice job, looks great!

Derek

r0GuE · Jul 27, 2001

Don't need one... not really sure what a guy could even do with one...
That said,...
I MUST HAVE ONE!!!!!!!
Very cool, looks like you did a nice job!

Rogue

Ekim_Otsiam · Jul 29, 2001

Derek
The smallest it will pick up is about a football sized stone.It works with brush great. The jaws open up about 40", then whatever i grab it just closes and holds it.Im pretty satisfied with it`s operation.
Mike