Tractor 3 point hydraulic grapple claw

[Imabass]

Made this to attach to my boom pole for picking up logs, brush, and other junk. This speeds up the process since I don’t have to get off the tractor and hookup via chain to what I want to haul off. My material cost was about $400.

Materials listing:
1 – 36”x20”x3/8 air or propane tank $50
8’ – 1.5”x0.243 DOM tubing for hinge and pin bushings. $52
10’ – 1” solid steel bar for hinge pins and hydraulic mount pins $40
~80# scrap drop 3/8” plate steel $50
3- Heavy duty D rings $15
10’ – 5/16 chain $15
2 – Chain clevis $5
2 – 2x8 hydraulic cylinders $120
2- 3/8 x 2’ hydraulic hose $12
2- 3/8 hydraulic T fittings $10
2- 10’ ½” hydraulic hoses $20

I started by making the support box on top of the air tank. I then made the tower that the hydraulic rams attach to. I made my hydraulic cylinder mounting plates and attached them to the tank. I then cut the top of the tank (approx. 1.5” wide) to mount the hinges. I inserted the hinge pins in the DOM tubing in order to make sure they properly line up. I then welded the hinges in place. Next I torch cut the teeth in the side and bottom of the tank and where it was completely split in 3 pieces (top support box, left and right claw). Plumbed up the hydraulic hoses and attached to boom pole.

So far it is working as planned. I do need to replace one hydraulic hose with a longer one as when the claw if fully opened, it is stretching the lower hose.