Electric winch controlled grapple on FEL

[50 cal]

Hello guys this is my first post on orange tractor talks.
I pulled the trigger a few months back on a Kubota B2620 with front end loader and backhoe.
The only regret I have is I waited to long to do this.
I should have done it sooner
I'm wondering if anyone has fabricated a light duty brush grapple for there front end loader?
I'm thinking on controlling the grapple with an electric winch to keep costs down.
Any ideas or pictures or vids of one controlled like this would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

 

[Tooljunkie]

The force required to close/open grapple compared to running it hydraulically would be in my opinion cheaper in the long run to go with hydraulics. The thought of tangled up winch cable doesent thrill me very much. Hose is cheap and good cylinders can be easily found used for a reasonable price. The same goes for additional control. Easy if you have rear aux hydraulics.

 

[torch]

Light duty, inexpensive, electric, no winch cable to tangle = linear actuator.

EG: http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Stroke-12...-Bracket-330-lbs-Max-Pound-Lift-/201505168747

 

[Tooljunkie]

Light duty, inexpensive, electric, no winch cable to tangle = linear actuator.

EG: http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Stroke-12...-Bracket-330-lbs-Max-Pound-Lift-/201505168747

Great idea, would look for one that would be like 900 lb. logic tells me that 330 lb would easily get damaged.

A few years back i built a grapple for the forks on the kubota. Worked very effectively for loading logs onto a wood processor. Until someone decided it was some sort of bulldozer and broke it. Multiple times. Whatever you build need to be as robust as the part you attatch it to.

 

[torch]

Well, these are over 1000 lbs:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Max-5000N/1826490_504112898.html

and these top 1500 lbs:

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Max-7000N/1826490_503839896.html

so they're out there.

 

[scdeerslayer]

I don't think a winch would work all that well. The force to close a grapple is pushing, not pulling. I would think in order for a winch to work the cable would be in the way of the load.

An electric actuator may be an inexpensive light duty solution if you don't have a 3rd function setup already, but if you have the 3rd function already it would make sense just to use that.

 

[skeets]

I have to agree, sometimes cheap will cost you a lot more down the road. Just MHO

 

[bearskinner]

I know it's hard to choke down the cost of the 3rd function unit, hoses, Grapple, controls etc, but I got mine installed ( basically free installation no tax) at the dealer for $1,500. It now works flawlessly,( I had to tighten a set of fittings that leaked) has crazy power, and I know it's designed by someone more knowledgeable than I am, and it only took a couple hours for them to do it.
Sometimes buying isn't so bad. Sometimes building, rebuilding, repairing, etc isn't worth you time or effort.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Just for reference sake's, a normal sized hydraulic ram for a grapple will put out an average of 6100 lbs force without any mechanical help from leverage,
so you would need a huge and expensive linear actuator to even come close.

 

[Ramos]

One other option would be to add rear remotes if you have other uses for it. Run your grapple hoses to the back. Not as handy but, gives you full hydraulic force for less money and the option of other uses.

 

[50 cal]

Thanks guys for the information it gives me lots to think about
Eventually i will have a third function valve for sure

Thanks

 

[OC455]

Just for reference sake's, a normal sized hydraulic ram for a grapple will put out an average of 6100 lbs force without any mechanical help from leverage,
so you would need a huge and expensive linear actuator to even come close.

And finding a linear actuator that would is just as expensive if not more so that a hydraulic ram it seems.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WARNER-LINE...980290?hash=item3393eaf242:g:N6AAAOSw~AVYtayC

This is a huge hydraulic ram...but it's kinda of a reference....not suggesting it. Just showing what the cost would be.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-5-Bor...894139?hash=item25cfd8fcbb:g:r1EAAOSwNSxVfKqT

I purchased a linear actuator for my snow blower chute deflector, I wouldn't consider it for a grapple. I'm all about tweaking and modding stuff, but cost, time and how well it will work sometimes you are better off buying OEM.