homemade log loader

[Ed_K]

 Finally got a pict of my front loader grapple that I built. It is strong enough to pick up this 20' x 12" hemlock.


 Heres a close up of the grapple, I hope.


Ed K

[BW_Williams]

Very cool Ed, where did you get the grapple?  How much?  Does it have power rotate?  BWW

[Ed_K]

 BBW, I got the grapple from Valby Sales in NY. It's the small one, opens to 35" it was $895. w/o the rotor. With it, it is $1195.
 I had a friend who has a machine shop, make a pin setup that turns with two sets of holes at 90 degs, so I can pin it to pick up logs straight out for loading from the back of my truck, or sideways, to load a 4/wheel wagon or the bunks at the mill.
Ed K

[Rob]

 Hey Ed,

         Nice setup looks like it works pretty good..I sometimes wish I had something like that..One of these days maybe I'll break down an buy a used log truck  : one of these days..

                                     Rob

[redpowerd]

is it hangin off the end of a pallet fork?

[Ed_K]

 Redpower, yes I used a 3" angle iron and welded a piece of channel to the bottom to slide the plate over the fork on the inside, to keep it from falling or sliding off. The out side is held by the flatstock from the grapple and pined with a 3/4 drawbar pin, so it can swing. I also ran a 3/8 logchain from the pin to the base of the forks to keep it on when tipping the forks down.
 Ed K