homemade grapple ???

[mlitt12345]

I got my homemade grapple finished and installed thanks to all the grapple how to's here at TBN, I have one problem, it opens and closes very fast, to fast to be exact. I believe I read somewhere that there needs to be a orifice installed. If so what size? Where should it be installed? Where can I order one at? Have had no luck with google lookup. Specs are 4110 Mahindra, 9 gpm hyd pump, 2350 psi sys max relief pressure, 2in hyd cyl with 8in stroke for grapple, grapple is controlled from rear remote. I will post a couple of pics also.............Thanks for any info........mlitt12345

 

[mlitt12345]

pic with bucket up and curled with grapple open......

 

[mlitt12345]

pic with grapple closed.........

 

[mlitt12345]

pic side shot grapple open.....

 

[wushaw]

Well done /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Jstpssng]

Nice job. (Sorry I can't answer your question.)

 

[IslandTractor]

Beautiful job. You might want to contact some of the guys with more hydraulic experience directly thru PM. I think PineRidge is one. Soundguy might know of others.

I hope you took some grapple building in progress photos that you can share. Did you fabricate the whole thing or just the neat attachment to the bucket?

 

[rambler]

These folks are pretty good at answering questions, I have no idea what size you need. They offer one for only $.49. Or you can spend over $150 on some of the fancy adjustable flow restrictors too, if you check out more of their catalog.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/

These folks also are good, didn't have time to download the 7 meg catalog.....

http://www.princehyd.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1


--->Paul

 

[PineRidge]

Great looking grapple, you did well.

Go to most any TSC and they have a hydraulic restrictor that costs about 4 bucks. I put one on our grapple and it really makes the movement much more controllable.

 

[mlitt12345]

Thanks for the replies, I helped design the grapple with alot of ideas I got from here TBN, But a good friend of mine did most of the torching and welding, I reckon you could say I was the gopher.....it works real well....except it opens and closes extremely quick, but I will put a restrictor (orifice) on it to fix that as pineridge and rambler said, now if I only had a TSC store around......looks like it will have to be ordered via internet.............mlitt12345

 

[Scozz]

I really like your design! Some more close up pictures would be great. I'm probably going to begin one for myself this spring. Probably going to fabricate and attach to forks rather than my bucket though. Looks Great, you've got a good friend to help you out like that...good luck...Scozz

 

[deerehoe]

I have half built what length is your cy thanks tim

 

[mlitt12345]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I really like your design! Some more close up pictures would be great.)</font>


Thanks for the reply Scozz, I will try within the next couple of days to get some close up pics for you.....

 

[mlitt12345]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have half built what length is your cy thanks tim
)</font>

My hydraulic cylinder is 2500 psi, 2in. bore, 8in. stroke, 1 1/8in. shaft, 20 1/4in. closed pin center distance, it also has adjustable threaded head at lower clevis which is great for fine tuning your open-close, I bought this cylinder locally, but is compares very close to the one at northern tools for $69.99 item# 9088408

 

[1savoy]

Mlitt12345,

Very nice grapple. I think I too will be stealing your design. It is very similar to what I was thinking of doing from watching many of the great posts on this site. I was thinking of doing as PineRidge did and buy some of the precut pieces from, I think it was, Andy. I guess I keep being cheap and thinking I will build some. I would also like to see some more pictures when you get a chance. Thanks for sharing your nice work.

Russ

 

[PineRidge]

Russ, Andy Tatro is the name. If you send me a PM I'll be more than happy to furnish his contact information when you need it.

 

[RedRocker]

Nice looking rig.

 

[jrwattsjr]

The size of the orifice can can be calculated by orifice sizing program and nowing the volume of the cylinder. But it would be beter to use a variable restrictor( needle valve) and adjust as needed. most hydraulics supplier have them. Along as its in the system between the directional valve and the cylinder it will work fine.

 

[J_J]

There are several ways to reduce hydraulic flow. One way is to use the smallest line. you can get, say 1/4. You could use a flow control valve inline. Picture below. The orfice thing is a trial and error, but will work, and is the cheapest. If you are using a standard valve, just feather the valve on and not go to max.

 

[PineRidge]

I have seen adjustable flow restrictors at Surplus City for less than 20 bucks. With just one in the circuit of a double action cylinder you can make adjustments until you get the speed just as you like it then lock the adjustment knob.

Since our snow plow uses single action angling cylinders it necessitated purchasing two, but they work great.