Wood Grapple Build

[Yooper]

Time to get going on some winter projects. One thing that I can use is a small wood grapple to pick up the larger logs. I have been using my brush grapple, but that still requires rolling or lifting the the pieces and placing them in piles so I can access them. What I am going to build is a small grapple with a little 'twist' in the design. It will mount to the FEL via a SSQA.

I found this CAD file of a grapple on the net and I like the design. It was way bigger than I needed, so I scaled it down. Got most of the pieces cut out and here we go with the build.

 

[JackJ]

Very glad to have a new Yooper build project to follow! I don't have the tools or skills to do anything comparable, but appreciate learning about the design and fabrication regardless.

Jack

 

[rkidd]

Looks like a fun project!! It will be interesting to see how adapt to the SSQA and attach the hydraulics.

 

[Yooper]

Working on the left side grapple, which has the linkage to the cylinder. Thought I had it set for machining the bore for the pin, but I want to cut off the small bosses and weld them on the main frame. Reason is, I want to lock the pin so the main tube on the grapple will pivot on the pin. As it sits right now, the pin can rotate either way, and I don't want that.

 

[G.rid]

Very professional! Nice looking welds too.

 

[Yooper]

More progress...

 

[Kubota_Man]

I can only wish I had skills like that

 

[m32825]

That is nice work! What thickness material are you using? What are you using to weld it? Give us wannabe welders some details, thanks!

-- Carl

 

[Yooper]

Very glad to have a new Yooper build project to follow! I don't have the tools or skills to do anything comparable, but appreciate learning about the design and fabrication regardless.

Jack

Looks like a fun project!! It will be interesting to see how adapt to the SSQA and attach the hydraulics.

Very professional! Nice looking welds too.

I can only wish I had skills like that

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the feedback!

 

[Yooper]

That is nice work! What thickness material are you using? What are you using to weld it? Give us wannabe welders some details, thanks!

-- Carl

I'm using mostly 1/4" mild steel. Trying to keep the weight down. I'm not an engineer and my thought process works like this: If I think 1/4" will work, I'll bump it up to 1/2" just to make sure. We'll have to wait and see.

I use a Miller XMT 304 with a 75 series dual feed. .035 hard wire and .052 flux core with straight CO2. Thanks for asking!

 

[crmorse]

I love projects like these! Thanks for sharing. subscribed!

 

[Yooper]

Got the pins made and installed for both sides of the grapple. Working on the connecting linkage next.

 

[Yooper]

Finished the linkages up today. Found some flange sleeve bearings that will work perfect with some shoulder bolts. Don't know where these came from, but I've had them forever. Real odd OD on them that make no sense in either imperial or metric, so had to do some machining for fit. Installed linkage and measured for what I'll need for hydraulic cylinder stroke. Going to shorten a cylinder from my stock. So far, this project has not cost me that much with all the stuff I'm managing to scrounge.

 

[Grumpyjoe]

Very nice. I used to be able to weld like that but someone told me not to do that work in my sleep. Great dreaming though. In reality I am lucky when it grinds smooth. There is a reason I buy manufactured implements. Others are much better at cutting and welding.

 

[Yooper]

Borrowed a lifting magnet to find the balance point of the grapple. Naturally, had to work the hydraulic cylinder with air to check things out. Then started working on the trunnion.

 

[Yooper]

Finished the trunnion.

 

[Yooper]

Working on parts for the rotator. Made a press fit for the shaft, welded both sides and machined.

 

[Lil Foot]

Great write up, always enjoy your projects, keep 'em coming.

 

[rkidd]

Hey Yooper. Those are some pretty great ideas using linkage on the jaws and a trunion I am assuming to rotate the unit. I am still blown away from your other post on shortening your hydraulic cylinder. I have never heard of that being done!! Awesome work. Very interesting to follow along.

 

[Yooper]

Hey Yooper. Those are some pretty great ideas using linkage on the jaws and a trunion I am assuming to rotate the unit. I am still blown away from your other post on shortening your hydraulic cylinder. I have never heard of that being done!! Awesome work. Very interesting to follow along.

Thanks! Like to hear from fellow OTT members that are entertained by my posts.

This grapple is going to get real interesting very soon. Got one of my 'Rube Goldberg' mechanisms coming up on this build. Stay tuned!