Go BottomGrapple Loader Ideas Needed
 | smith311
Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 4 Laramie, WY 
|
2007-11-05 147793
Does anyone know of any good websites that have information on building a grapple to add to the loader of my tractor. Thanks. Jeff
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoGrapple Loader Ideas Needed
 | earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan 
 Pics
|
2007-11-06 147810
What kind of info are you looking for?
I have two Bobcat brand grapples that can't be beat from a strength perspective. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoGrapple Loader Ideas Needed
| kleinchris
Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 269 Westminster, Texas
|
2007-11-06 147816
Smith,
If you find one, let us know. I did some searching for similar plans and couldn't find anything. (I wasnt looking for a grapple specifiacally.) I think folks are too worried about getting sued these days to share ideas. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoGrapple Loader Ideas Needed
 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
Pics
|
2007-11-06 147820
Are you wanting plans or to buy one? There was one on ebay just yesterday. Look under "THUMBS" in the Business area. I have seen a few doing an internet search of "THUMBS". Guess the company that builds one also builds the other a big part of the time. kt
Also search under buckets. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoGrapple Loader Ideas Needed
| smith311
Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 4 Laramie, WY
|
2007-11-06 147826
I'm looking at building one since my tractor is from Russia and the loader/bucket assembly is a wacky deal. couldn't find anyone that had a pre-assemled one for my loader so i'm searching for blueprints or just progress photos with some details. thanks. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoGrapple Loader Ideas Needed
| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
Pics
|
2007-11-06 147828
There are some on eBay that are decent looking and bolt or weld on. The bucket configuration really has no bearing on it as you'll need to make it fit your application. I only caution that the ones on eBay could be not as heavy duty as they claim. I have a heavy duty grapple bucket. It lives up to its name. I have torn down houses, lifted entire oak trees, and entire cars with it with no damage to it other than scratched paint. But it $5200 too.
Kenny, like I said above you gotta be wary of those eBay thumbs that are made by "Bubba Joe's Welding and Bait Shop". They can be made of inferior metals that while they look comparable to a well lknown maker can break twist or warp. Some eBayers are selling ones that you have to weld yourself. While it saves on shipping again they're not all that great. I have one on my backhoe. While it works for me it is kind of smallish it does work but I had to really beef up the mounting system. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoGrapple Loader Ideas Needed
| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
Pics
|
2007-11-06 147829
Smith, if you look at the better-designed grapple buckets you'll see that the sides of the buckets are cut back deeply into a sort of mouth or V. The reason for that is when you grapple something the items have to gather somehwere otjerwsie they will shift in the bucket and fall out when the grapples are closed. So you'll need to cut the sides of your bucket if you want a good set up.
Also ideally you want to have two grapples side by side. They can grab and hold things much better. One big one will be good for big round things like a round bale--but that's about it. And it will be more suceptible to bending and twisting. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoGrapple Loader Ideas Needed
 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
Pics
|
2007-11-06 147830
There are a few companies that make a brush type grapple that just bolts onto the top of the existing bucket.
I would caution however, that a grapple on a bucket is pretty poor at picking up brush. If that's what you want to do you're much better off with a grapple with a set of forks.
If you look at my picture # 18 you will see a simple homemade bracket that goes on in place of the bucket including some homemade forks. All you would then need to do is add a simple pair of grapple arms driven by one smallish cylinder.
Best of luck. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add Photo
Go Top
Share This