Brush Fork Build... recommendation.

[senecak19]

Been thinking about building a set of these for some time now as I have a few yards to clean up. With a house purchase on the way and a new tractor, I'm not exactly swimming in cash (still desperately shopping for a finish mower and a trailer), so let's table the grapple discussion. In looking at several designs online I set my sights on a set I found on mytractorforum.com. I like to recycle things and as luck would have it, I had a metal table in my steel pile that had the same material sizes this guy used:



The only drawback I have is I don't have any lengths wide enough to match the width of my bucket. I'm not felling trees here, I just want a set for simple cleanup, moving lengths of junk across the yard, etc... The new property is 2 acres with about 3/4 acre of woods, so plenty for me to play with. This is where I'm stuck.



I've since added the tine supports shown in the photo shown above, but I've halted as I try to re-think how I want to mount these. Thoughts? My intention was to add the angle iron like this guy did, weld on a large 3/4" nut and just bolt them down (not to the side) to the bottom of the bucket. I'm starting to wonder if they'll remain tight enough. I'm thinking so, but I could be wrong. Two of his tines are 6" longer so they are supported near the back of the bucket (underneath). Worst comes to worse, I'll go find some more material and make it reach the width of my bucket I guess.

Appreciate any feedback.

For anyone interested in seeing this guy's build... http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?p=1687972

 

[chim]

Hope to get started on a set this week. Although I also prefer to re-use steel or go with scrap the tines will be Sch 80 steel pipe. One thing I plan to do is cut the front ends of the pipe at a 45° angle, weld them closed and turn the cut down. Most of the places mine will be used will be grass areas. The thought is that way they might skid over the grass instead of dig into it.

For fastening, there will be a lip to go over the bucket's cutting edge and the pipes will extend a foot past the front of the bucket on the bottom. Then a couple chains will wrap around the back side of the bucket and be tensioned via bolts or allthread on the top side.

 

[senecak19]

I think I need to weld some hooks or something on the bucket. Seems like they can be used for tie downs more often then not. I have two tines extending about a foot beyond the front of the bucket and four center tines extending to the inside of the cutting edge. It's not outside the realm of possibility to use chain on the backside of the bucket as you mentioned. Thanks for the tip. Ill look into it after work.

 

[senecak19]

Hope to get started on a set this week. Although I also prefer to re-use steel or go with scrap the tines will be Sch 80 steel pipe. One thing I plan to do is cut the front ends of the pipe at a 45° angle, weld them closed and turn the cut down. Most of the places mine will be used will be grass areas. The thought is that way they might skid over the grass instead of dig into it.

For fastening, there will be a lip to go over the bucket's cutting edge and the pipes will extend a foot past the front of the bucket on the bottom. Then a couple chains will wrap around the back side of the bucket and be tensioned via bolts or allthread on the top side.

Aside from the chain method mentioned herein by Chim, this is what I was thinking, if I decide to go the bolt on route.

 

[senecak19]

Chim's chain idea got me thinking. After a little bit of research, I came to the conclusion I'll need some hooks on my bucket so I ordered some from Ken's along with a Clevis setup. Hooks to go on top of the bucket and clevis mount behind the bucket. This will increase my fastening options and provide me with some more capability. Once I get those mounted, I'll finish this up.