Multi-use Thumb Grapple

[PHPaul]

After pricing full-size grapples and the necessary hydraulic bits to make them work, I was pretty depressed. Completely out of the question with my budget.

Then I saw a post about "thumb grapples" from Green Machine in Illinois. This nicely priced unit, plus avoiding all the expense of a third function modification to my loader by plumbing the cylinder to my rear remotes made for a solution I could afford.

I made a pair of mounts with welded nuts on the bottom so I can just bolt the thumb to either my bucket:

or my forks:

I'm almost done with the mounting systems, just need to rebuild the back guard on the forks.

I'll get started on the hydraulics in the next day or two.

Details and more pix on my Shopbuilt forum

 

[PHPaul]

Some details to finish up. I didn't allow for bucket curl when I thought about hoses from the loader to the thumb cylinder so I need to let things flop until I can get longer hoses. Then I'll secure the hoses from the rear remote to the loader cross-member with a bracket and just have the hoses from there to the thumb flexing.

Also should have ordered the 28" instead of the 24" thumb, but I don't think that will be much of a problem, and if it is, I can rig an extension.

 

[Grumpyjoe]

Very nice. I like the fore thought to add the shackle plate for chains when not using the grapple.

 

[OldeEnglish]

Thanks for posting, this is exactly what I am looking for at a reasonable price!

How wide is the mounting plate?

 

[PHPaul]

Thanks for posting, this is exactly what I am looking for at a reasonable price!

How wide is the mounting plate?

The mounting plate for all their grapples is 24" long, 3" wide and 1" thick. I asked about that when I was deciding which grapple to get.

I used the same dimensions for the pieces I welded to the bucket and forks.

 

[melvinhatcher]

The mounting plate for all their grapples is 24" long, 3" wide and 1" thick. I asked about that when I was deciding which grapple to get.

I used the same dimensions for the pieces I welded to the bucket and forks.

Please explain how you connected your hose fittings to your cylinder on the thumb?