Grapple Root grapple - build or buy??

[shaley]

After looking at other post on root grapples and all the things you can do with these I think I need one. I'll be clearing brush and small trees from a mostly sandy lot. Clean-up is important so it has to be loaded into a truck. My regular bucket is going to make for too many trips.
The 66" Millonzi looks like it cost $1800 delivered and the 60" Markham is $1600. I'm looking a building a 60" single clamp cylinder version.
I will also need a 3rd function valve such as the WR Long or the Surplus Center Item 9-6136 for $109 + D03 base for $47.
Has anyone ever built one and saved any money?
Do you have any comments on material thickness or things you would do differently.

 

[RonMar]

I built a 60" 11 tine bucket(30" tines) using angle and thick wall box tube for the tines. It is lighter duty but has held up well for a year now. I am working on a grapple for it now. Depending on the valve used on your woods FEL, it might also be cost effective to replace the 2 spool loader valve with a 3 spool as it simplifies the plumbing quite a bit and there is no wiring as in the electric selector valves. It also makes operation easy/ergonomic. In my case, this is the best option.

If I had to do it over again, I would spend a bit more money(my bucket cost me less than $200 for materials). I would go with flame or plas cut ribs re-enforced with gussets for the tines, instead of box tube with gussets as it would make it a bit easier to rake under brush and debris. The box tube I used(2.5") for the tines, although cut at an angle at the front, still tend to act like a bucket edge if I scrape into sod trying to get under some debris. It lifts the sod and earth like a bucket instead of slicing thru the lighter material. Since I oriented the tubes with a flat side top-bottom, these tend to hold material that should fall thru. I believe I left about 3.75 inches between tines and it probably could have been a bit wider.

 

[jmc]

I think one thing rarely discussed in the "Make or Buy" decision is resale value. A professionally made and designed product, properly maintained and keep out of the weather, is going to be worth a fair percent of what you paid for it after you are done with it. I've never seen anything home made that I could justify spending much on. If what you need is not available commercially, then that's a different situation.

John

 

[Gumby6]

I agree with JMC regarding value of the commercial product, that said, I wouldn't buy new.

I bought mine off Ebay in great condition for just 700 dollars (that was 1/3 the cost of new) and it has dual grapples for handling odd objects, a plus for my needs.

After pricing the costs to build a proper grapple myself - weighed against the proven commercial product purchased used off Ebay - I couldn't justify the project cost or time investement. I found several grapples in the area of my southern home, bid, won and picked it up on the way to NC.

Of course your situation may dictate other actions. either way, enjoy the grapple, they are a great tool.

 

[shaley]

Thanks for the replies guys. I see Ebay has a bunch. For $700 I would definitely buy not build.
Gumby; Could you tell me how tall the tines are. I'm talking about the height of the plate blade just before it turns into the tip.

 

[napabavarian]

The resale argument is nice, but if you buy a new unit for $1800 and sell it for $700 down the road then you are out $1100, but if you build one for $600 then at worst you will be out $600, so the real issue is less about cost as your personal fabricating skills and spare time VS spare money situation

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I'm at the point in my life where "resale value" on attachments is something I'll let my kids worry about after they use it to bury my old carcass. Sorry if that's a bit too morbid for anyone, but it's a reality for me.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Has anyone ever built one and saved any money?

Well, yes I have. There was a time or two during the process, I wished I had just paid the price. After getting it done, I am glad I did it. I had most of the materials, so we only spent about 300.00 on it. We already had the hydraulic lines for other implements.


This is a link to a thread on it.

I can assure you I am not concerned about the resale value because I don't expect it to ever be for sale as long as I have any say so.

 

[shaley]

Thanks Neil, That's what I'm talkin about!!
I looked at my FEL valve and it is aleady setup for power beyond so I'm ok there. I'm starting to lay some tine geometry out in CAD. Couple of shops close by have a laser burner and a CNC torch burner. The scrap yards are full of HY80 plate, still lookin for AR400.

 

[mwhite75457]

I have a CNC plasma table 5x10. I am thinking of cutting out kits with everything you need, is right there all you have to do is weld it. What is your opinion? The cost for a 60 inch would be about 500 plus shipping.