Front mount log grapple

[Pullstart 62,799]

I think I saw a picture/video link from @GlenPettit but now can’t find it.  How cool would it be to use a snowblower front frame work and flag lift to build one of these!?  I imagine a hydro lift and some fancy limit or trip rod to activate a directional spool valve, so one hydraulic control would clamp, then lift.  Drop, then unclamp.

 

I suppose a spindle upgrade and steering improvements would be required with a log up front...

 

 

 

***** WARNING ******

 

the link has green and yellow, but is used as a reference!

 

http://www.muttonattachments.com/p-11635-john-deere-quick-hitch-grapple.aspx

[Pullstart 62,799]

Maybe just a different valve than factory, or doubled up would run a secondary cylinder?

[JoeM 7,871]

19 minutes ago, pullstart said:

Maybe just a different valve than factory, or doubled up would run a secondary cylinder?

Electric actuator?

 

[953 nut 55,091]

21 minutes ago, pullstart said:

Maybe just a different valve than factory, or doubled up would run a secondary cylinder?

Yes, and a  heck of a lot of counterweight! Did you notice the didn't show the rear end of the tractor while lifting.

[wallfish 16,985]

That JD tractor is bigger and beefier that our WHs. Doubt you'd be able to steer on a Wh or the steering fan gear is going break.

But how hard could it be to back up and grapple a log?

1 hour ago, pullstart said:

 I imagine a hydro lift and some fancy limit or trip rod to activate a directional spool valve, so one hydraulic control would clamp, then lift.  Drop, then unclamp

A selector valve allows 2 circuits with 1 control valve. Just pull or push the knob and it changes which hoses get the juice

[Pullstart 62,799]

59 minutes ago, wallfish said:

That JD tractor is bigger and beefier that our WHs. Doubt you'd be able to steer on a Wh or the steering fan gear is going break.

But how hard could it be to back up and grapple a log?

A selector valve allows 2 circuits with 1 control valve. Just pull or push the knob and it changes which hoses get the juice

 

 

Valid point about lifting from the rear...   

 

I think I have a selector valve somewhere in fact, from an old truck snow plow system that had push/pull rods through the dash and firewall.

[wallfish 16,985]

12 minutes ago, pullstart said:

I think I have a selector valve somewhere in fact, from an old truck snow plow system that had push/pull rods through the dash and firewall.

Ha, you're like me, "That can be used for somth'n." so save it.

[Pullstart 62,799]

13 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Ha, you're like me, "That can be used for somth'n." so save it.

 

If only I had a bigger stash of  stuff.... workin’ on that though!

 

[JAinVA 4,619]

That JD is beefier than our WHs but with gear reduction steering,400 lbs isn't to much.The attached photo does not show the counter weights on my 520 and there are none.The wheel weights only add a total of around 70 pounds.

Edited March 5, 2019 by JAinVA

[JoeM 7,871]

yep that is a JD 700 series, they weigh in at 1000 lbs. Power steering also.

There are so many uses other than a 10 foot log. So if you can safely pick up a 6 foot. how nice that would be. Also, using that claw for brush looks like a labor saver.

[Mows4three 826]

You could always build a frame like mine and just back up over the log. Built for my quad but usable on a Wheel Horse. It’s a tremendous force multiplier when towing large logs. Weight of log is directed onto rear axle resulting in increased down pressure onto rear wheels.  This equates to more traction.  

 

Cheers!

 

Dave

[Pullstart 62,799]

1 minute ago, Mows4three said:

You could always build a frame like mine and just back up over the log. Built for my quad but usable on a Wheel Horse. It’s a tremendous force multiplier when towing large logs. Weight of log is directed onto rear axle resulting in increased down pressure onto rear wheels.  This equates to more traction.  

 

Cheers!

 

Dave

 

 

I’ve thought about building a log arch, but I like the idea of a grapple for cutting logs too.  It gets them out of the dirt and all...

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

I don't think any of the green garden tractors would have been able to drag the big wild cherry tree I cut back in December, the eMax diff locked and 4wd barely drug it out to where I cut it up.

[JAinVA 4,619]

Jeff,

  I agree,sometimes you have to go bigger.

[wallfish 16,985]

Grappling a heavy log out front which is going to be unevenly distributed weight ie: side to side is definitely a problem for a small WH, let alone the total weight.

If the logs are already small enough to to do it, might as well just roll them wherever they need to go.

 

But, just watched the video lower down on that page so there's definitely some versatility there as well. You need a FEL and replace the bucket with some grapple arms! Still can't handle the very large stuff but bet it would help out with the heavy work load involved.

[Pullstart 62,799]

2 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Grappling a heavy log out front which is going to be unevenly distributed weight ie: side to side is definitely a problem for a small WH, let alone the total weight.

If the logs are already small enough to to do it, might as well just roll them wherever they need to go.

 

But, just watched the video lower down on that page so there's definitely some versatility there as well. You need a FEL and replace the bucket with some grapple arms! Still can't handle the very large stuff but bet it would help out with the heavy work load involved.

 

I probably need to get a bigger loader tractor, or backhoe.

[ebinmaine 67,282]

1 hour ago, pullstart said:

 

 

I’ve thought about building a log arch, but I like the idea of a grapple for cutting logs too.  It gets them out of the dirt and all...

That's why I built the pole style trailer.

Carry 8 or 9 foot long wood up to 1000 lbs or so.

 

Manual loading. We like to burn calories, then burn the Wood.

 

This past season we learned that it's easier for us to cut and split the wood IN THE FOREST.

Then bring the pieces up and out and stack them nearer to the house.

The pole trailer will be reengineered to have a flat deck to carry split wood instead of logs.

 

[JAinVA 4,619]

I try to buck my fire wood where the tree falls.I then haul the pieces out and split them next to the wood shed.The tool I like most for bucking is a bow bar.No lifting of the log and no chain in the dirt.They are scary to look at but have less exposed chain than a bar saw.This is one I built for the missus.

Edited March 6, 2019 by JAinVA

[Pullstart 62,799]

17 minutes ago, JAinVA said:

I try to buck my fire wood where the tree falls.I then haul the pieces out and split them next to the wood shed.The tool I like most for bucking is a bow bar.No lifting of the log and no chain in the dirt.They are scary to look at but have less exposed chain than a bar saw.This is one I built for the missus.

 

I’d never seen anything like it!  I watched a couple videos on YouTube, the gentleman who explained them said they sell like crazy in the south, he dosn’t sell much up north...  funny how that works.

[JAinVA 4,619]

Not really.The bow bar was a mainstay of the southern pulp wood industry.When they were popular, pulpwood was cut  to around 5 foot lengths and hand loaded crossways onto trucks.They were deemed to dangerous by OSHA and other federal agencies.I never use one that is not guarded and the saw has to have a chain brake.Most of the You-tube videos are good and some down right stupid.

[wallfish 16,985]

1 hour ago, JAinVA said:

This is one I built for the missus.

Good old Homelite. Is that an XL-12?

I have one of those but it's just for a collection of Homelite 2 stroke tools and chainsaw attachments.

[JAinVA 4,619]

Super xl auto.I bought it to remind me of my first chainsaw.Salem's Revenge runs but is just a Halloween prop!

Edited March 6, 2019 by JAinVA

[JoeM 7,871]

15 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Manual loading. We like to burn calories, then burn the Wood.

 

My buddy says his wood can make heat 5 to 6 times! Cutting, splitting, loading, unloading, burning and if your are lucky enough it will provide a little romantic ambience!

 

[ebinmaine 67,282]

17 minutes ago, OILUJ52 said:

My buddy says his wood can make heat 5 to 6 times! Cutting, splitting, loading, unloading, burning and if your are lucky enough it will provide a little romantic ambience!

 

You listen to your buddy.

I agree on all accounts!

[bc.gold 3,403]

On 3/5/2019 at 3:02 PM, 953 nut said:

Yes, and a  heck of a lot of counterweight! Did you notice the didn't show the rear end of the tractor while lifting.

Probably foam filled front tires to boot.