Looks good. I've been kind of curious about making one of these also. Do you have a ballpark estimate of how much you have into it? Did you make hooks or buy them somewhere?

 

Looks like a really nice job Thad. Did you pattern off a Steffens?

Regards, Mike

 

Lokks great Thad. I was also thinking of buiding one. My buddy has a Steffen like that and I like how it works. I would have to modify mine because I use a Kuhns Accumulator and when it trips, the bundle is loose and has to be tighten up with their grapple by pushing forward and sideways. Great job. Gives us some finished pics. Mike

 

I would have to modify mine because I use a Kuhns Accumulator and when it trips, the bundle is loose and has to be tighten up with their grapple by pushing forward and sideways. Mike

Pedal to the metal?

...Put some slip-plate graphite lube on the bed and that will help them come off much faster....less spread. I think the brush on probably works a little better than the spray.

Regards, Mike

 

the bundle is loose and has to be tighten up with their grapple by pushing forward and sideways.

My Hoelscher is the same way. I like the bar on the side when I'm stacking on the trailer as it helps tighten up the stack. For unloading though, I really like the Steffen-type like Thad is building.

Looks great Thad!

 

Ive got $1700 in metal, cylinder, hoses, and hooks. It took me about 11hrs to build. It is patterned off the Steffen. As far as this grapple, it will stay on the skidsteer jus to unload at the barn. The other grapple i built is on my tractor and it has a back and one side. I also have a kuhns accumilator. The onley problem that I may have is all the hooks go in the hay in the same direction. I think I may have to put a back on It. It may try to push the block back when the hooks go in. I didnot make the hooks I got them from WR Long.

 

Pedal to the metal?

...Put some slip-plate graphite lube on the bed and that will help them come off much faster....less spread. I think the brush on probably works a little better than the spray.

Regards, Mike

LOL. Sometimes a little too fast. I am definately going to use slip plate. Gotta find out who carries it. My biggest problem comes in straw.

 

LOL. Sometimes a little too fast. I am definately going to use slip plate. Gotta find out who carries it. My biggest problem comes in straw.

SLIP Plate®

Tractor Supply also carries a very similar product. The stuff is unbelieveable and just doesnt wear off. Next time I buy a new lawnmower I am going to undercoat the mowing deck before the first use. Stuff will not stick to it.

Regards, Mike

 

SLIP Plate®

Tractor Supply also carries a very similar product. The stuff is unbelieveable and just doesnt wear off. Next time I buy a new lawnmower I am going to undercoat the mowing deck before the first use. Stuff will not stick to it.

Regards, Mike

Doesn't help, I tried it on my ZTR after sandblasting and painting the deck, less than a month every bit of it was wore off. If its the least bit dry, a mower deck will pick up a lot of grit from the lawn and sandblast itself while mowing. Goto any dealer that handles serious lawn mowing supplies and you can get a special product for it.