Tractor 55" Grapple Build

[Meleon]

We had a pretty bad hurricane blow across our island last fall. My property sustained quite a lot of tree damage. Thought I could use tractor to help out with the clean up.
So I modeled up a grapple and had a buddy cut it out on his plasma table.
Heavily influenced by Everything Attachments wicked grapple (i.e. robbed, it looked like the best out there.)

I used 1/4 AR400F for the majority of it and spent a few hours this weekend and got the lower jaw mostly complete.
The piece on the pallet in the back of my truck is what's left over from a 4x8 sheet.

 

[WoodsTruck]

Very nice. Just needs a chain hook on each end now.

 

[PCustoms]

Nice.

I built one in March 2020......

My laser cutter contact was unavailable, soni quickly designed if to be built from 1/4"x3" strip using a grinder and holesaw. It works and hasn't broken but isn't pretty.

I couldn't even get proper pin/bushing stock at the time.

 

[f150skidoo]

Awesome looking grapple. What CAD software are you using?

 

[Meleon]

Thanks Guys!

I'm using Autodesk inventor. its what I use at work.

PCustoms, it was hard to find anything in 2020...

 

[toplessHO]

nice job
I too have a 4310...and a 4610
the 4310 has a hoe.
Neighbor built a large root rake but would like to add a grapple to it.
Lines are already run on front of the 4610..
The root rake recently got bent,someone trying to remove something that they should have worked at
a little slower. Im wondering if 3/8 inch stock would have been better.

 

[PCustoms]

Im wondering if 3/8 inch stock would have been better.

I'd rather bend and implement then break a tractor.....

 

[toplessHO]

I'd rather bend and implement then break a tractor.....

well there is a relief valve in the loader circuit for that reason

looking at ours Im thinking of at least doubling the 2 ends up with an additional tine
and stitch the 2 together

 

[jack stand]

Im wondering if 3/8 inch stock would have been better.

Better than what?
Doubling up both outside tines if you're talking about .25" material is a good idea, in fact I'd consider doing this in possibly in the middle or if you plan on 2 lids or grapples, at each grapple providing support the these forces.

 

[toplessHO]

OPs and the one my neighbor built are 1/4" material

 

[PCustoms]

OPs and the one neighbor built are 1/4" material

Mine is too, would have to go look if I doubled the outer tines. I intended to.

I've tweaked a few, usually doing something I should not have and could have easily damaged the tractor.

As for hydraulic relief, I bent/tore the original 3/8" double shear mount for the single hydraulic cylinder right off the grapple the first day I used it. It was a combination of "scrap bucket design, poor geometry and overzealous bites of the building I was demolishing. The calves held, the grapple held for a second and the next thing I new it was all flopping.

 

[toplessHO]

only pic I have of the root rake.
as you can see its more than capable

 

[Meleon]

ToplessHO, I love my 4310! the tines on your root rake look more slender and seem to have more stick out than mine. Is it made from regular mild steel? I cut mine from AR400, which is tougher.
The tines also have a triple layer at the ends which are welded to the bottom depth gauge.

I managed to get the top lid tacked up this weekend. I'm very pleased with how its turning out.

I'm fairly confident that given I'm using AR400 that 3/8" outer won't be necessary. but time will tell.

 

[toplessHO]

have no clue what he made it from.
hands down yours is a better design and build.
But for free I did OK. This one has arrowhead shaped ends.
Getting off the 4610 onto the 4310 it feels like a toy.
Son puts the root rake on the 4310 when burning at the burn pile.
He says the hydraulics react faster on it than the 4610.
I think the loader capacity on 4610 is about 700# more than the 4310.
thats a very nice job on your grapple.
how is it plumbed up front?

 

[Meleon]

It isn't plumbed yet... I'm planning to run it off of the rear remotes, at least for now. Kind of a pain needing too joysticks, but better than how I move stuff now.
I'm getting a quote for hard lines along the loader boom, hoses for the rest.

 

[PCustoms]

It isn't plumbed yet... I'm planning to run it off of the rear remotes, at least for now. Kind of a pain needing too joysticks, but better than how I move stuff now.
I'm getting a quote for hard lines along the loader boom, hoses for the rest.

Man, you can't build such a nice grapple and run it off the rear remotes....

 

[Meleon]

Man, you can't build such a nice grapple and run it off the rear remotes....

You sold me... ordered a diverter valve. By the way, my wife wants to know where to find you for some reason?

 

[toplessHO]

they make electric controls that mount to the loader stick

 

[cherokee]

they make electric controls that mount to the loader stick

That is how mine is just two buttons one to open the other to close.

A grapple fall into that "where have you been all my life" I am sure you will find it very handy.

 

[Meleon]

they make electric controls that mount to the loader stick

That's what I ordered. Its electric over hydraulic. Tap into the curl/ dump lines so that when you press the button on the joystick it diverts the flow from there to grapple cylinders.

 

[PCustoms]

You sold me... ordered a diverter valve. By the way, my wife wants to know where to find you for some reason?

I could reply in soo many ways.....

Diverter valve works great, I was in the fence and initially wanted a full 3rd function. Due to supply issues, I "settled" for a cobbled together diverter setup. Only issue I had is I popped the custom switch button out of my joystick while wearing gloves.

I could have gone with something standard but I wanted it integrated into the stick.

 

[Meleon]

I could reply in soo many ways.....

Diverter valve works great, I was in the fence and initially wanted a full 3rd function. Due to supply issues, I "settled" for a cobbled together diverter setup. Only issue I had is I popped the custom switch button out of my joystick while wearing gloves.

I could have gone with something standard but I wanted it integrated into the stick.

hahaha! As long as it isn't with your address, she's mean!

My tractor technically has a third function valve, but I can't control it from the loader joystick. (additionally that valve has a diverter added to it also. I use it to rotate the and tilt my snow blower chute)
I was look at the valve that go through the power beyond but I don't like the thought of them opening and closing them at full speed.

With the diverter valve I should be able to feather controls. Also I think my pea brain will handle 1 button better than 2.

By custom switch, do you mean you made it? or is it one of those joystick handles?

 

[PCustoms]

With the diverter valve I should be able to feather controls. Also I think my pea brain will handle 1 button better than 2.

By custom switch, do you mean you made it? or is it one of those joystick handles?

Yep, one big plus of the diverter is you maintain complete hydraulic control, where the 3rd function is ON/OFF.

I routed my switch wires up the joystick and into the knob. The knob is 2 pieces that snapped apart, with a small hollow section. I mounted a small waterproof micro switch. When I'm using the grapple I hold the button with a finger and use the grapple. It's some cheap Chinese switch from Amazon, I need to find a better version but when a 5 pack is like $10 it's easy to have spares.

 

[toplessHO]

might I suggest getting a military government surplus switch
Im spoiled by having Skycraft close by for stuff like this.