Phase 2 (Grapple) root buket\brush forks

Phase 1 of this project was done last winter.


For phase 2 I would like to add a grapple.

Here is the product of phase 1:





This is what I'm thinking for the grapple side ( you might have to use your imagination with these drawings) :

A one piece grapple( This view is suppose to show the tines coming straight out then curving down)



Here is how it would line up with the existing piece (one dimensional representation ). The Black is the existing bucket\fork and the Red is the grapple.



I would like some feedback on the following questions:

1) One piece grapple good idea, or should I go for a two piece(cylinder) grapple? I think the one piece keeps the complexity and weight down, but I could see a two piece being more versatile.

2) All Grapple tines would be made out of the same material as the skinny tines on the fork. The back perpendicular part would be the square tubing as seen in the middle and end tines of the fork. I though about making the middle tines out the square tubing as well since this is the area the cylinder would be attaching. I haven't seen any weakness in the existing skinny tines on the fork yet.

3) Grapple Tine length. Should the grapple tines be long enough that when closed they go to the outside of the fork tines cross supports, or should they go behind the forks cross supports? Outside would allow for maximum capacity, but inside would let you close down on smaller objects like a log.