Grappling fork attachment system

A grappling fork attachment system, comprising:

• a tractor including a bucket unit and a pair of loader arms, wherein said pair of loader arms move said bucket unit;
• a support frame attached to said tractor, wherein said support frame includes a tube member;
• a cross member extending through said tube member, wherein said cross member is adapted to rotate within said tube member;
• an extension frame attached to said cross member, wherein said extension frame includes a first extension arm and a second extension arm;
• a drive assembly mounted proximate said first extension arm for pivoting said extension frame about said support frame;
• a grappling structure pivotally attached to said extension frame for grabbing and securing a load within said bucket unit;
• a first linkage assembly mounted proximate said first extension arm for pivoting said grappling structure about said extension frame;
• a second linkage assembly mounted proximate said second extension arm for pivoting said grappling structure about said extension frame;
• wherein said support frame is pivotally attached to said tractor between said pair of loader arms and said bucket unit;
• and
• at least one locking element pivotally connected to said support frame to alternately secure said support frame to one of said bucket unit and said pair of loader arms.

A grappling fork attachment system, comprising:

• a tractor including a bucket unit and a pair of loader arms, wherein said pair of loader arms move said bucket unit;
• a support frame attached to said tractor, wherein said support frame includes a tube member;
• an extension frame pivotally attached to said support frame, wherein said extension frame includes a first extension arm and a second extension arm;
• a drive assembly mounted proximate said first extension arm for pivoting said extension frame about said support frame, wherein said drive assembly is comprised of a pair of sprockets, a chain, a chain guide and an actuator;
• a grappling structure pivotally attached to said extension frame for grabbing and securing a load within said bucket unit;
• a first linkage assembly mounted proximate said first extension arm for pivoting said grappling structure about said extension frame, wherein said first linkage assembly is comprised of an actuator, a plurality of link members and a mount member, wherein said mount member is attached to a first end of said grappling structure;
• a second linkage assembly mounted proximate said second extension arm for pivoting said grappling structure about said extension frame, wherein said second linkage assembly is comprised of an actuator, a plurality of link members and a mount member, wherein said mount member is attached to a second end of said grappling structure;
• wherein said support frame is pivotally attached to said tractor between said pair of loader arms and said bucket unit;
• and
• at least one locking element pivotally connected to said support frame to alternately secure said support frame to one of said bucket unit and said pair of loader arms.