Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Were would I get a electrical slip ring. I had run this through my mind but not sure how to make the actuator operate in two directions?

I love to have someone machine me a knuckle/swivel.

Thanks for the ideas.

-Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Thank you Sir.

-Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Snochaser-here is one,not sure about overall size. e-bay has lots of them-
http://cgi.ebay.com/KYM06A-Slip-Ring...98970549876719

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Oh wow, that is slick. Thanks

-Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Still can't figure out how to make it a powered rotation so, it will rotate freely.

Made some progress and I Muggy welded with great success..wooohoo!!!!!!!
The parts I "welded" are the lower parts of the knuckle- two pieces of channel back-to-back. Sweet!! I am happy with the articulation of it, turned out real nice for me. Man I need some hydraulics!!!!!!!!!!

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P9260295.jpg

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P9260300.jpg

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/P9260301.jpg
Video
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_P9260298.jpg


-Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

looking good yep hydralics look to be next keep up the great work!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Looks great, should be fun to operate.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

That is looking really good.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Here is a pic or two for size reference.

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/PA080348.jpg

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/PA080350.jpg

-Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

wow real nice build
where are you going to get the Hydraulics from?
and do you have a website for them

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

PMD if they ever come in!!!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Very nice machine, any idea how much time you have in it so far?

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Looks good Ben

I see a lowbed in your future. lol

greg

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Ben, Your Skidder is looking good, With the Hydraulics and a little paint you will be ready for the woods. Next build? Fred

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

That is looking real nice!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Next build will be a lowboy for sure, at the rate of hydro's coming available, I will probably have the trailer done before they arrive.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

I thought Leimbach sold one but from memory it was pretty expensive. DSTI makes some hydraulic slip rings. I have no idea what they cost or if they would work in this application.

http://www.dynamicsealing.com/gp_2-passage_unions.html

I have thought about how to make the swivel as well (for a long term skidder project of my own). I think you might be able to use some fins to turn the swivel housing with a hydro line into each side of the housing where the lines enter at an angle to push the fins with the fluid. Of course you would need some gears in there to do the actual turning and you would have to limit the rotation so your hoses to the grapple wouldn't get twisted. To do a true 360 degree swivel you would need to have a hydro slip ring for the grapple hoses.

Not sure how it could be done but one day maybe I'll give it a try.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Forgot to add, the skidder looks great!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Man,This looks great! You called me the expert? If mine looks half this good,I'll be a happy Guy! Real nice job on the grapple!
Don't know how much room you have left,but the hydraulics will take up a bunch of it. Don't know if you have seen the mini pumps from stahl. It only took 15 months for me to get it. Guess ole-Ric babe is havin problems getting stuff from Germany. But it's very small & has a brushless motor(reversable) & you can set the rpm on it so your not making a bunch of heat running the pump wide open for nothing. Another draw back on the mini is the price!You can buy two regular pumps for the price of one mini.
If you want I'll post some pics of the differance between the two pumps.
Keep up the good work!
FGD

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

uncle freddy ,TTM has them in stock :D but , yea, the $ :eek: It seems the german dealers have them in stock :rolleyes:

Ben , you did a fantastic job :thumbsup: .

IHSteve

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

do you have seperate motors for each wheel? and how did you wire them to one speed control

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Yes each wheel has a gear motor. I doubled them up on the speed control, it is set up for dual motors (it's a Sabertooth).

-Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Thats cool ive been thinking about building one myself

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Any more progress on you skidder? It is looking great so far! Love it!!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

OFC- Thanks..I did get some cylinders in finally (Clippard) just haven't had spare time. Hopefully something soon....

Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Got some cylinders figured out. I am going to have to get the rest (2-decking blade, 2-grapple) from PMD, I can't find small enough ones to work from Clippard. Can anyone guess what else I need?..........times up! a freakin' pump!!!

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/PB100375.jpg

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/PB100374.jpg

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/PB100373.jpg

Thanks for lookin'

-Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

looking good keep up the good work

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

The cylinders really finish it. I can't wait to see it functional.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

These are the cylinders I used for my grapple on the CAT 345 log loader
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXET28&P=7

It has been in use for a few years now and still no leaks ! ! They would work well for the blade cylinders as well

greg

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Thanks Guys.


-Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

The cylinders look good hung on it Ben.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

It does look very good with the cylinders on, nice work.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Looks Good Ben!!!

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Ben have been watching this build and you are doing a very nice job keep up the good work. Ed:)

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

looks great! any plans for another build, not to long to go on this one by the looks?

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

skidder looks great looks like trailer in planning from the pics all looks great cylinders make the build:cool:

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Thanks guys. I am hopeful the other cylinders and pump are going to be available really soon.

The lowboy is in the truck forum under my Peterbilt 357 build.

-Ben

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Your lowbed is looking really good Ben. It is a nice setup to get the skidder from site to site. Hey what is Muggy Weld I have never seen it in Canada

greg

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Great job with the boom. Those cylinders look right at home on there. This skidder is really coming along nicely. I'm looking forward to seeing it all complete. It should be a really awesome model.

Re: CAT 535C Grapple Skidder
 

Wow, that's some amazing craftsmanship. Great work.