Grapple truck building

[treecare]

I am in the process of finding a grapple truck, my question is it possible to build one cheaper than buying one? I always see different parts and trucks for sale., Or does it make more since to buy one already assembled? I am pretty handy in my shop and have the tools to build one.

Also what is the best place to look for a grapple truck if I want to buy used and what should I look for.

Thank you,
Treecare

 

[groundsmgr]

If you build your own You can set it ip the way you want. I use to work for a guy who built all of his own trucks, each one was better than the other because he tried new things.

So it depends on what you want to spend and what you want.

 

[371groundie]

by building your own are you refering to fabricating your own grapple crane? or buying a truck, loader, and body seperately?

loggers up here swap loaders and log bodies off trucks all the time. you just need riggin heavy enough to lift it. one of the dealers around here just uses whatever large excavator they have in stock to lift log loaders on and off. ive used the loader on a truck to switch bodies.

the loaders and bodies just u-bolt onto the truck frame. a crane should come with a pump. fabing the PTO shaft and a mount for the pump would be the most difficult part.

i would highly reccomend getting a truck that is double framed (one C-channel inside the other) if you are going to mount a log loader on it. the frame takes alot of abuse and the double c-channel helps alot. if you are buying a used truck look between the two channels for rust and flaking.

 

[oscar4883]

I've swaped bodies around, mounted all different parts to different bodies as well. The previous posts had some solid advice. I ould look into the cost or rental of a mag drill if you do not alread own one. Always thought it was sorta necessary for that king of fabrication.

 

[treecare]

thank you sir

That is very good info I did not think in that direction.
Thank you

If you build your own You can set it ip the way you want. I use to work for a guy who built all of his own trucks, each one was better than the other because he tried new things.

So it depends on what you want to spend and what you want.

 

[treecare]

thank you

I was refering to buying a truck,loader,body seperatly any suggestions on where to look?
Really good info sir this I did not think about the c channel.

by building your own are you refering to fabricating your own grapple crane? or buying a truck, loader, and body seperately?

loggers up here swap loaders and log bodies off trucks all the time. you just need riggin heavy enough to lift it. one of the dealers around here just uses whatever large excavator they have in stock to lift log loaders on and off. ive used the loader on a truck to switch bodies.

the loaders and bodies just u-bolt onto the truck frame. a crane should come with a pump. fabing the PTO shaft and a mount for the pump would be the most difficult part.

i would highly reccomend getting a truck that is double framed (one C-channel inside the other) if you are going to mount a log loader on it. the frame takes alot of abuse and the double c-channel helps alot. if you are buying a used truck look between the two channels for rust and flaking.

 

[prentice110]

Lots of nice loaders goin cheap right now depending on what you want. Prentice 120s on lower mile 2001 Chevy single axle 33k gvwr with auto trans and brush box goin for $12-14k . X Texas muni trucks. Check auction sites like govdeals.com. or government surplus.

 

[treecare]

thank you

That is great news, I will look at that now. What is the x texas muni trucks?
Sounds like I will have to look out of state.

Lots of nice loaders goin cheap right now depending on what you want. Prentice 120s on lower mile 2001 Chevy single axle 33k gvwr with auto trans and brush box goin for $12-14k . X Texas muni trucks. Check auction sites like govdeals.com. or government surplus.

 

[prentice110]

Munincipality owned and maintained. They use em for hurricane clean up. Florida has a bunch also.

 

[treecare]

thank you

Thank you for help sir.

Munincipality owned and maintained. They use em for hurricane clean up. Florida has a bunch also.

 

[prentice110]

If I didnt already have a grapple project going on I would jump on these. Only problem is single axel. Two good logs and your done.

 

[371groundie]

truckpaper.com and machinerytrader.com have nation wide listings. the best log and brush bodies are homemade. customized to what you need it to do and your local height and weight limits. because rookie operators tend to swing loads a little erratically you might consider over building the body a little.

 

[treesquirrel]

If you are going to fabricate a grapple there are a lot of engineering principles and details you will have to research. I hope you studied in math and practical physics.

I'd just buy one. The wrong time to find a flaw in your self built grapple is when you are loading a 3 ton log.

 

[mckeetree]

I'd just buy one. The wrong time to find a flaw in your self built grapple is when you are loading a 3 ton log.

My God yes, just buy one. Some of these guys on here remind me of myself 20 years ago. I remember in 1990 deciding I was going to build a stump grinder. I actually built one but I had twice the money in it that I could have just bought one for.

 

[treecare]

Need Help Still Looking For Grapple Truck Used??

I have looked for several weeks now does anyone know of one for sale?

 

[gr8scott72]

I have looked for several weeks now does anyone know of one for sale?

Treetrader is full of them.

 

[treecare]

Thank you

Thank you sir.

Tree care

 

[utilityman]

Hey treecare,

Try the Wantaddigest.com . Look under industrial logging equipment. There are some awfully good deals to be had now.

 

[treecare]

thank you

Thank you sir.
Treecare

 

[treecare]

Grapple Truck

No luck yet on used Grapple Truck?? Anyone else have suggestions.
Thanks
Treecare