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Senior Project: Log Grapple

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#61 ·
You guys did a great job. That's the moment that makes it all worth it......when you can stand there, half ecstatic, half amazed, and say "wow, I made that!". Not too many things in life can match that feeling.
 
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Discussion starter · #63 ·
Got everything completed just in the nick of time! got the last two hydraulic hoses fitted on monday, and today we demonstrated and presented! here is a youtube video of its first trial run:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3-ZCHixkCw

now, if the internet access at the school wasn't so atrocious, i'd be able to upload some photos to show you. but, we'll have to wait a little while to get the photos up. so, i figured i'd just show you the video that i took the other day (and it took all night on my awful connection to upload it to youtube).

TMM
 
Discussion starter · #64 · (Edited)
finally! here's a photo of the grapple, completely finished, in the fully closed position:

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fully open:

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flow divider mounted on the grapple to proportion the flow 50:50 between the two cylinders:

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the rotator:

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me and my partner:

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grappling! manning the tractor is the most awesome teacher in the world, my shop teacher and client for this project.

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here's me presenting about our project in the auditorium to the audience:

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as always there's a few more photos to be found on my photobucket album:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y249/themadmailler/Log Grapple/

i can't believe we've gotten this thing done already!! the time has flown by. it seems like just a couple weeks ago we were still struggling along in SolidWorks. a couple tasks still remain, though. we need to put quick-attach connectors on the hoses and put in a pressure relief valve going to the cylinders. we also need a second flow divider, because even though "bill" at Bailey's hydraulics said that the flow divider would proportion the flow going both ways, suprise suprise, it doesn't! it proportions the flow on the "extend" stroke, but not on retract.

tmm
 
#66 ·
job well done you guys should be proud of yourself it came out great keep up the good work
 
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#68 ·
Awesome..........just awesome. I learned some things also, I thank you for that. Like the hat too :fing32:
 
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#70 ·
Hey TMM, nice job. I couldn't believe how fast that rotator spins. :congrats::tee::dancingpa:hatsoff:
 
#71 ·
One heck of a great job!!! You should be real proud of this project. From design to actually doing what it was designed for. Once again a big ole pat on the back to you TMM.
 
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Discussion starter · #72 ·
thanks so much for the kind words guys! i really appreciate it.

tiretrx, you, the master-machinist custom-gravely tractor guy, learned something from me? i'm flattered! and thanks for the hat complement. i love it too, it's my second hat of this style, i started wearing vintage fedoras in junior year of high school.

marlboro, that rotator sure is cool isn't it? really slick design. it better be good, this model went for $760!

i have another video or two to put up, and i'm going to try to get more videos before the year is over.

TMM
 
#73 ·
Congratulations! You guys look like you have made something that the smaller business owner can provide a service for the local land owner. Have you started the business plan to start making a living building your design? Good luck!
 
Discussion starter · #76 ·
wow, i have an avatar!! awesome, thanks guys! i really appreciate it. that's one of my favorite photos too.:thanku::trink39:

whigden, no, i have no plans to market this product. we would be up against some stiff competition (Valby for the most part, Bailey's, and Wallenstein), and the product could use some improvements before it's truly marketable. but thanks for thinking that it's as good as a commercial product! i've had several people tell me that it's indistinguishable from a commercial product! it is very flattering.

thanks again,

TMM
 
#77 ·
Saaaweettt! God job man! once again, :hatsoff: <-- it even kinda looks like a fedora.:fing32:
 
Discussion starter · #79 ·
tahoe, we actually did not build the grapple for ourselves. it was the capstone of our two years of mechanical engineering education. at the beginning of the last semester, we get a list of projects that local farms, businesses, and faculty members need. we choose from that list and group up the way we want, and we build the product for the client, who then pays for it and receives the the product. in our case the client was our teacher, who has a firewood and lumber operation at home (and most of these other machines were senior projects too!)

tmm
 
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marlboro180
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