Bmg Clamshell Idea

[arborworks1]

I have an idea for an addition to the Bmg grapple. The current grapple is a bypass. Much like the prentice grapples. I have seen extensions that turn the prentice grapples into debris grapples,clamshells if you will.

Has anyone else Fabbed up something similar.

 

[squisher]

Cool idea, something removable would be sweet.

 

[arborworks1]

I was picking up piles of debris today that you couldn't scoop with a bucket.

The grapple would pick up some, but a clam like that would tidy it quick like.

 

[thattreeguy]

the folks that make the blue ox self loaders..."home of the exploder" make a bypass grapple with clamshell attachment and its napa friendly

 

[arborworks1]

Yep That is where that picture came from. Looks simple enough. The curve is what is stumping me.
I should not be so lazy but I hate running a pitch fork.

 

[sotc]

ive though about it but havent tackled that yet

 

[JIML]

Wouldn't be hard to make, hard part would be getting the curve. I could probably do it with alot of patience in my press brake. Just brake it every inch-inch and a half a little bit to create the curve.

 

[Mr. Sir]

If you look closely at that pic, it appears that's exactly how it was done. You can see the lines from the brake every inch or so.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Some metal fabrication places have rollers for bending steel plate. They don't do anything real short, but if it's a true radius you want, you could have them bend one sheet and then cut the two lengths you need. The radius is adjustable on the benders. That how I made my round wood stove.

Wonder what the thickness is of the plate they used? Looks pretty thin in the pic, like 1/4"

 

[lumberjack]

Yep, that was done on a brake. Jay is talking about slip rollers, but it'd take a fairly good sized roller to handle 1/4" plate.

Also, if you look closely on those, they're removable as well.

How many people are interested in a set? I'd take one.

 

[sotc]

removable was the point carl. noway would i use 1/4inch though. 12 ga. would be plenty

 

[SkwerI]

If you wanted to go ultra-cheap, you could start with a steel drum and cut the pieces out. Then reinforce the edges and build some sort of attachment setup to lock on the grapple claws.

 

[tntree]

I like the Idea, especially if they are removable . . . something to work on this winter. I built this one for a guy who was building a long rock wall.
Are you sure that it bypasses?, most clam shells I have seen Butt together. Excellant Idea

 

[Jonseredbred]

Dave I am looking for one of them Gehl advantage loaders on the cheap.

Got any???

 

[arborworks1]

No butt together was the intention. I was referring to the current grapple being a bypass type. I would definetly be interested.

 

[sotc]

BMG seems like it may not have enough clearence to bypass. maybe a set of "wings" could bolt on

 

[Dave Shepard]

A neighbor of mine makes snow plows using a hand operated brake, they make them just like that. 12 ga. would be perfect. I have a Tractor Supply brake, it would take a bit of work to bend them up, but it's not terrible hard to do. I think my brake cost something like $120.

A friend of mine used to do industrial dismantling. He once removed a sheet roller from a GE facility. It would roll 12"x8' red hot, and 8"x8' cold. It made section of giant generator fields. It was down in a hole in the building. 186,000 pounds, one pick with the crane.

 

[thattreeguy]

i have a large roller from a wetsuit factory..it used to press material...anyways it perfectly round and big enough to make 3 or 4 of those, let me know if anyones interested in my neck of the woods

 

[squisher]

If someone was going to make one as a quick attach to the bmg(hint, hint Dave) I'd definetly be interested.

 

[tntree]

My brains working on it

 

[arborworks1]

Any luck with a rough draft?

 

[lumberjack]

I modeled this today:

Going to call Dave in the morning and see if he has an electronic version of his grapple.

 

[arborworks1]

CAD?

 

[lumberjack]

Yep.

18' 6" of horizonal reach and 22'6" of vertical(from bottom of mounting surface).

 

[arborworks1]

Are you making that for the dump trailer? How does it swing I dont see mounts for cylinders?