Ball hitch on grapple

[m32825]

Anyone have ideas on how to adapt a ball hitch to a grapple? I have the grapple on most of the time, and it would be so handy if I could use it to move trailers around. Right now I loop a chain over one of the grapple tines, but don't like the loose connection with the trailer on soft or uneven ground. Need some brainstorming help, thanks!

-- Carl

 

[coachgeo]

Don't know if Grapple is strong enough to pull on..... cause I'm clueless, not cause they may not be strong enough.....

if they are.. could see a scrap steel pipe.. tree sized with a couple things welded too it to keep from sliding left, right; fore and back, inside grapple's teeth after grabbing it ...... and of course a trailer ball welded to that same steel pipe.

hmm... maybe a stand on it too so it is like a saw horse ready to lower trailer hitch onto.... then grab it and move trailer to desired location?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If you want it permanent just weld a receiver tube to the grapple.

 

[m32825]

Don't know if Grapple is strong enough to pull on..... cause I'm clueless, not cause they may not be strong enough.....

if they are.. could see a scrap steel pipe.. tree sized with a couple things welded too it to keep from sliding left, right; fore and back, inside grapple's teeth after grabbing it ...... and of course a trailer ball welded to that same steel pipe.

hmm... maybe a stand on it too so it is like a saw horse ready to lower trailer hitch onto.... then grab it and move trailer to desired location?

I kind of like the idea of something the grapple can pick up and "bite" to use. You've got the lid right there, why not use it?

-- Carl

 

[m32825]

If you want it permanent just weld a receiver tube to the grapple.

Probably a failure of imagination on my part, but I can't picture a place to weld it on that wouldn't be in the way for some other task.

-- Carl

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Probably a failure of imagination on my part, but I can't picture a place to weld it on that wouldn't be in the way for some other task.

-- Carl

Post a picture of your grapple and I'll show you!

 

[m32825]

Post a picture of your grapple and I'll show you!

Here you go...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Well thats an easy one.

Tag it to the front of the top bar, or even to the bottom of the top bar.

Then if you need it lower insert this into the reciver tube.

 

[m32825]

Well thats an easy one.

Tag it to the front of the top bar, or even to the bottom of the top bar

Aha, I was only thinking of a straight hitch. Great suggestion, Wolfman, thanks!

-- Carl

 

[Tooljunkie]

Looks to be about the best spot. Then the shackle bar will be next, for chaining stuff to. Dont ever use a ball for anything but a trailer.

 

[m32825]

I know how much you guys like pictures, so here's the finished product. I moved it to one side because there was more structure to tie into. Works great, thanks for the suggestions!

-- Carl

 

[Tallahassee Kubota Man]

Nice work! I'm still trying to figure out a place to put mine.