Farmer-Built Heavy-Duty, Rotating Log Grapple

Farmer-Built Heavy-Duty Rotating Log Grapple TRACTORS Loaders A Pennsylvania farmer designed and built this inexpensive heavy-duty log grapple that quick-taches to any skid loader     “It’s designed to pick up rocks big logs and other awkward loads It’s built strong so it’ll stand up to a lot of tough use ” says Lamar Reiff     The log grapple has a single 30-in long curved jaw which passes between 2 fixed shanks spaced about 12 in apart A single 3-in dia 12-in long hydraulic cylinder is used to raise or lower the jaw which swivels up and down on a 1 1/2-in hardened keyed shaft  It can pick up a 33-in dia log or up to three 10-in dia logs at a time The grapple can be swiveled a little more than 180 degrees The swivel is a 5-in dia pipe inside a 6-in schedule 80 pipe with a taper that returns the swivel by gravity to the sender position “The swivel feature is handy when working in close quarters because I can easily pick up one end of a tree and then drag it out of the woods ” says Reiff “The swivel also makes it perfect for pulling or setting fencepost and picking up large rocks ” He uses the grapple to stockpile logs for firewood and also to cut the logs to size “I’m amazed at how well it works ” says Reiff “I cut my firewood to 16 in long and the jaw assembly is only 12 in wide so I can use the grapple to hold the log up in the air while cutting It keeps my saw’s chain off the ground and also saves on my back ” Reiff says he may manufacture the grapple if there’s enough interest Expected price is about $1 750 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Lamar Reiff 5079 Churchview Road New Enterprise Penn 16664 ph 814 766-3342; la-maracres@ibyfax com

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