The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Forestry and Logging => Topic started by: northforker on June 26, 2013, 01:51:47 AM

Title: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on June 26, 2013, 01:51:47 AM
Thought I'd share a couple of pics of a 48" bypass grapple I'm building. It's tacked together just to be sure that the mechanism is working...there's funky geometry involved in these things. It's made of 1/2" and 3/8" T1 plate and 1-7/16" chrome moly pins. When complete, I'll dangle it from the boom of a hoe attachment on my ASV loader. I'm planning to add a bar saw to it eventually.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28345/grapple_build_1.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28345/grapple_build_2.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: barbender on June 26, 2013, 06:39:12 AM
Man, you do some nice looking fab work! I built one for my skid steer about 5 years ago, it is one handy attachment. Mine looks like I built it with stone age tools compared to yours though :D All I had for tools at the time was a stick welder, side grinder, and a cutting torch, so things came out a little tough. And yes, there is some fun geometry involved :) I'm anxiously waiting to see your bar saw, that will make the grapple the cat's meow ;) I will then shamelessly copy your design ;D
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: logman81 on June 26, 2013, 07:05:05 AM
Nice job looks awesome!
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: thecfarm on June 26, 2013, 03:23:02 PM
WOW!!!!! I'm impressed.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: Ernie on June 26, 2013, 04:22:35 PM
A true craftsman, I look forward to action pics when you've got it done.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on June 29, 2013, 12:47:07 AM
Thanks very much for your comments guys. Here's some more pics. I just pinned the grapple together for a dry run this evening. My thought was how have I done without such a useful tool for so long? It works very well. The next order of business will need to be a heel bar for sure. The repurposed Bobcat backhoe arm should work well. The hydraulics for the bucket cylinder now open/close the grapple. I left the swing operable and it's pretty handy for maneuvering in the timber or just flicking stuff out of your path. I'll get some action shots in a couple of days.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28345/grapple_build_3.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28345/grapple_build_5.JPG)
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: barbender on June 29, 2013, 07:09:18 AM
Yep, that is one handy attachment, I use mine all the time. Does your hanger swivel? If not, you'll want it to. I was too cheap to spring for a $1000 rotator, so I just made mine swivel. I just use momentum or bang it off of stuff to turn it. You could use a spring to recenter it, I found that I prefer mine loose.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: redneck logger on June 29, 2013, 07:13:58 AM
Great Northfolker im telling you your a wizard when it comes to cutting out raw steel and fabricating something and you always seem to blow our mines goodjob. 8) 8) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: mad murdock on July 01, 2013, 12:29:48 PM
Very nice work on the Grapple!!  Did you cut all the pieces with a plasma cutter or from templates with a torch?
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on July 01, 2013, 06:18:30 PM
Thanks again for your comments guys. Barbender, I don't have a swivel but will add one. I'm kind of thinking toward the next step in that regard with adding the bar saw and all, and what kind of swivel/rotator will be best for that application. Murdock, I cut the pieces out on my plasma gantry and welded with my Lincoln stick welder. I can see the real value of a mig outfit though...one of these days.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: barbender on July 02, 2013, 12:18:21 AM
I just left mine on a swivel with no rotator cause I wasn't ready to spring $1000-$1500 for a 360° rotator, especially since you don't really have room to rotate more than 180° most of the time anyways if you have wood in the grapple (it's too close to the machine) I thought a hyd. motor mounted on the boom to a shaft that the hanger is mounted on, like some grapple skidders are set up. I'm eagerly waiting to see the bar saw ;)
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on July 03, 2013, 01:51:03 AM
I'm with you on the rotator barbender, 180º of rotation is about all you need. I installed a swivel today and having used it, I see it's pretty much essential. It's free swiveling with no spring center. I like your idea of a hydraulic motor drive mounted through the boom though. I'll think about that application when deciding how to set up the bar saw. I sort of want it to be a felling grapple as well, with the ability to dangle the jaws horizontally to grab a standing tree and saw it as well as vertically to grab/skid the trees after they are felled.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28345/grapple_swivel.JPG)
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: Randy88 on July 04, 2013, 09:07:13 AM
Excellent job, I'm impressed, how are you planning on going about adding a bar saw to it?
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on July 06, 2013, 12:53:49 PM
Thanks Randy! I'm still scheming about the bar saw addition. I'd like to just have a separate saw assembly that would bolt on/off without too much difficulty. Many of the commercially available grapples (Valby, etc.) have some parts of the grapple jaws or struts mounted external to the grapple frame. I built mine with all the moving parts internal to the frame so I would have a large surface to bolt a saw assembly to without interference from other moving parts. Even before I start building the saw, I know the devil is in the details, particularly when it comes to modulating bar feed with saw speed. Ideally, I'd want a system of valves that would sense pressure to the saw motor and speed up/slow down the bar feed accordingly. I will have a look at Danzco's valve assembly and see how much it costs. He's obviously thought about this problem in great detail. Then there is the matter of oiling the chain. I tested an idea for an oiler that I think I'll use. I have a small 2-way pneumatic cylinder that has about an ounce of displacement. I'll turn it into a pump using 2 check valves. Using the extending/retracting motion of the bar, it behaves like a syringe of sorts. When the bar retracts, the cylinder sucks in and fills with oil. The oil is pumped to the bar as the bar extends. The oil will either come from a separate reservoir mounted on the grapple assembly, or will be drawn from the hydraulic system. I also thought about using grease as a lubricant...anybody here ever try that?

Quote from: Randy88 on July 04, 2013, 09:07:13 AM
Excellent job, I'm impressed, how are you planning on going about adding a bar saw to it?
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: blackfoot griz on July 06, 2013, 01:30:11 PM
Quote from: northforker on July 03, 2013, 01:51:03 AM
I'm with you on the rotator barbender, 180º of rotation is about all you need. I installed a swivel today and having used it, I see it's pretty much essential. It's free swiveling with no spring center. I like your idea of a hydraulic motor drive mounted through the boom though. I'll think about that application when deciding how to set up the bar saw. I sort of want it to be a felling grapple as well, with the ability to dangle the jaws horizontally to grab a standing tree and saw it as well as vertically to grab/skid the trees after they are felled.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28345/grapple_swivel.JPG)

Northforker-Nice job--I am impressed.  Is that a Unimog in the last picture?  Do you use it as a skidder?  A Unimog is definitely on my wish list!
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: snowstorm on July 07, 2013, 07:33:49 AM
somebody beat you to it on using grease on the bar an chain. i saw a factory built system a few years ago. quadco was selling it dont know who built it
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on July 08, 2013, 01:01:15 PM
Thanks blackfoot_griz. Yes, that is a Unimog you see in the pic. I use it mainly as a snowblower and have never really used it as a skidder so far, but I also have a Case extendahoe attachment for it that I sometimes use. I've seen that lots of people use unimogs as skidders and even as skyline cranes.

Snowstorm: Thanks for the info on grease chain-lubricators. I see someone has a patent for a system here:http://www.google.com/patents/US8225907 (http://www.google.com/patents/US8225907)
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on July 08, 2013, 01:20:04 PM
I "road-tested" the grapple over the weekend up at the cabin. I am pleased with how it worked. Pound for pound, I would say it's the most useful and productive attachment I have for working in the forest...so far.

When I test a piece of equipment I build, I always try and break it, and I always succeed! The only thing on the grapple that I succeeded in breaking was a weld holding a collar to the swivel pin, which carries the entire load of the grapple. I did this by trying to pull/jerk a stump loose. This time, I will machine a new pin and collar out of a single piece of steel instead. Luckily, I sort of guessed this might have happened, so I designed the hanger to mount without the swivel...just in case. Everything else held. I have to say that, after using T1 steel for the first time, I'll never go back to mild steel again for any demanding application. I'm so impressed with how the steel held up with no bends or breaks. I can say with some confidence that the workout I gave the grapple would likely have mangled mild steel.

Here's a short action video from yesterday. Note that I didn't have my lexan door up...kids, don't try this at home!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eANmRGUgqv4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eANmRGUgqv4)
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: beenthere on July 08, 2013, 04:20:14 PM
Looks good, and it works.
Mighty fast action, which seems would be too fast. But not for me to say.
The grapple does well, and can see where you might like to add a heel to the boom.
All should make cleanup easy and fun.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on July 10, 2013, 04:01:28 PM
Thanks beenthere. Yeah, it is pretty fast action. This is what happens when you throw 15-18 gpm at a 2.5 x 8" cylinder. Couple that with the bang-bang solenoid valves and that's what you get. I'm going to split off some of the flow, and look into getting some soft-shift solenoids for the next round of modifications. You are definitely right about a heel bar. I'm building one as we speak.

Needs a heel bar:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28345/needs_a_heel.JPG)

Quote from: beenthere on July 08, 2013, 04:20:14 PM
Looks good, and it works.
Mighty fast action, which seems would be too fast. But not for me to say.
The grapple does well, and can see where you might like to add a heel to the boom.
All should make cleanup easy and fun.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on July 12, 2013, 10:01:39 PM
Added a heel to the boom. Pictured heeling a ~35' larch log @16" butt diameter. The machine started tipping forward, so I guess the heel is stronger than the tipping force...should work okay.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28345/heel_2.JPG)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28345/heel_1.JPG)
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: Ed_K on July 13, 2013, 05:15:05 PM
 That is nice.Is it pinned to stay there or is there a piston to move it back and forth?I need one on mine, right now I use the bottom of the bucket,but it slips side to side at times.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: Migal on July 13, 2013, 05:23:33 PM
 :) Neat I bet there is not a sole on here that wouldn't find a place to park that machine  8) Good Job!
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on July 15, 2013, 12:26:16 PM
Thanks Ed and Migal. Ed, the heel is just pinned in place. Your idea of a hydraulically retractable heel is a great idea though...why didn't I think of that? Anyway, it's time to start thinking about adding a bar saw, and may just fab a dedicated boom for it from scratch.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: barbender on July 15, 2013, 01:15:26 PM
Northforker, if I was building my boom again, I would make it so that the grapple/boom was about 45° from your bucket hinge point when it is centered in it's travel, so the grapple comes toward the machine as you roll back. This gives you a higher vertical reach, and makes heeling stuff easier. This is a bit difficult to describe in writing, but basically make it the same shape as a grapple skidder's grapple, so as you lift the load it comes up and crowds toward you. I even thought I could make the bottom of the mount plate a dozer blade, you could roll it back so the grapple is high off the ground, and push junk out of your way with the blade. I've used mine a lot for skidding short distances, and piling 100" wood on the landing for trucks to haul out of, and these features would work well for that.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: northforker on July 17, 2013, 01:03:26 PM
You have good ideas, barbender. I was looking through a bunch of pics if grapple skidders and I think I now understand what you are saying about the boom angle. In the right configuration, when I retract the bucket cylinders, this pulls the grapple toward the machine. The Bob-Tach boom I am using only has a slight upward angle relative to the mount plate so I can't really draw the grapple in very far without lifting the loader arms significantly. Boy, that's a great idea you have for incorporating a push blade in the mount! It would be perfect for pushing stuff out of the way when making a skidding path. It's an excellent idea.

Quote from: barbender on July 15, 2013, 01:15:26 PM
Northforker, if I was building my boom again, I would make it so that the grapple/boom was about 45° from your bucket hinge point when it is centered in it's travel, so the grapple comes toward the machine as you roll back. This gives you a higher vertical reach, and makes heeling stuff easier. This is a bit difficult to describe in writing, but basically make it the same shape as a grapple skidder's grapple, so as you lift the load it comes up and crowds toward you. I even thought I could make the bottom of the mount plate a dozer blade, you could roll it back so the grapple is high off the ground, and push junk out of your way with the blade. I've used mine a lot for skidding short distances, and piling 100" wood on the landing for trucks to haul out of, and these features would work well for that.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: Randy88 on July 17, 2013, 02:54:00 PM
You guys don't know it but your in the process of building the machine I was looking for a few years back, to elimate all the chainsaw work and people on the ground on foot, rather put them in a machine and cut, skid and shove stuff out of the way, put a swivel on it and mount it on my skidsteer and its exactly what I need as an attachment.   Nobody makes one I can afford to buy, so keep this going so I know how to make it myself, especially the part of putting the saw on it and how to go about that.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: barbender on July 17, 2013, 08:35:28 PM
Northforker, my boom is pretty much the same as yours. I shamelessly copied mine from a picture of a Valby attachment, and that was how their boom was setup. It didn't take long to see that that boom configuration didn't work that great. That's what I get for copying ;D
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: kenmie on January 12, 2016, 08:24:27 PM
looks like a nice one....what do you calculate the total cost to be
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: drythropple on December 03, 2017, 04:54:40 PM
Depending on the size of timber you need to cut have you thought about a tree shear instead of a saw?
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: DDW_OR on December 26, 2017, 02:15:59 PM
here is a link to northforker's Fellerbuncher 
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,54852.0/all.html#top

FYI i grew up in Columbia Falls.
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: DDW_OR on January 02, 2018, 04:34:09 PM
Here is a link to my multitek firewood processor. maybe it can give you some ideas on the bar saw
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,93354.0/all.html#top


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/27421/_HYDRAULIC_FLOW_CHART_2.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1483058639)

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/27421/_HYDRAULIC_FLOW_CHART_3a.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1488513285) 

line E4 connects to the cylinder that moves the bar
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: moodnacreek on January 16, 2018, 07:11:45 PM
I really respect a man who makes his own tools. The bar saw attachment  I would be afraid to do without copying a proven one.  Almost has to be a 3/4 pitch, wide short bar hung heavy and very well garded.  To me its a brutal assignment  for a chain saw but don,t stop now!
Title: Re: DIY bypass grapple
Post by: mike_belben on December 15, 2020, 07:39:53 PM
Quote from: northforker on July 06, 2013, 12:53:49 PM
Thanks Randy! I'm still scheming about the bar saw addition. I'd like to just have a separate saw assembly that would bolt on/off without too much difficulty. Many of the commercially available grapples (Valby, etc.) have some parts of the grapple jaws or struts mounted external to the grapple frame. I built mine with all the moving parts internal to the frame so I would have a large surface to bolt a saw assembly to without interference from other moving parts. Even before I start building the saw, I know the devil is in the details, particularly when it comes to modulating bar feed with saw speed. Ideally, I'd want a system of valves that would sense pressure to the saw motor and speed up/slow down the bar feed accordingly. I will have a look at Danzco's valve assembly and see how much it costs. He's obviously thought about this problem in great detail. Then there is the matter of oiling the chain. I tested an idea for an oiler that I think I'll use. I have a small 2-way pneumatic cylinder that has about an ounce of displacement. I'll turn it into a pump using 2 check valves. Using the extending/retracting motion of the bar, it behaves like a syringe of sorts. When the bar retracts, the cylinder sucks in and fills with oil. The oil is pumped to the bar as the bar extends. The oil will either come from a separate reservoir mounted on the grapple assembly, or will be drawn from the hydraulic system. I also thought about using grease as a lubricant...anybody here ever try that?

Quote from: Randy88 on July 04, 2013, 09:07:13 AM
Excellent job, I'm impressed, how are you planning on going about adding a bar saw to it?



Great build.  Did the barsaw ever happen?