Grapple Light Duty Grapple

Beaux Duke · Mar 28, 2009

I've read a few posts about the Markham LD grapple.

Anybody got any real life experience as to just how "light duty" or rather what the upper limits of it's capabilities would be?

I've got some rather large trees that have been down for a few years due to hurricanes Katrina and Gustav and more recently the blizzard of 08. (8 inches of snow in SE La)

I'm trying to determine about what length I would need to cut them up in order to not overload the grapple. Or maybe move up to the larger grapple? Is the LD grapple more suitable for brush?

My FEL is rated for 2500lbs

wedge40 · Mar 28, 2009

I'd be more worried about overloading your tractor. I have one of the LD Markham grapples and they are pretty stout. I don't think you should have any problem with moving the trees as long as they are cut to reasonable length. If the weight is too much out of balance you risk the chance of twisting your loader.

Wedge

Gordon Gould · Mar 28, 2009

I have an ATI grapple which isnt as heavy duty as the markham.
I use to load logs in my dump truck.
I cut pine, fir and spruce up to 16" dia. at 10' or 12' long
I cut maple 8' or 10' long.
The biggest problem is balancing the load when the bucket is up.
And any sudden stops when the bucket is coming down can be trouble.

Samandothers · Mar 28, 2009

I agree with Wedge's comments. My loader does not have the power yours does (Kubota LA854 on a L4240) my limit has been my loader capacity. I have moved 36" Gum in about a 8' section that the loader would somewhat drag on the ground. I have moved 4" Oak with root ball that the weight was all the loader wanted to lift. I feel like I reached the limit of the loader component before reaching the grapple limit. Others with more loader power would have to push its limits. Don't think I will.

HCJ · Mar 28, 2009

I have a M6800 also with a 2500 lb. capacity. I had Markham build a custom 48" grapple built with 1/2 steel (instead of 3/8" steel like the light duty version) I also had them add extra "spacers" making the space between "teeth" 4.5" rather than 9". This helps to add strength and keeps smaller objects from falling out. This grapple has one thumb on top rather than 2 like their wider versions do. Works great. I can pick up anything my loader can lift, large tree stumps, logs, brush, rocks, etc. Also excells at pushing over and ripping out trees. Have done trees up to 8" easily. What limits the size is the lift capacity, not the grapple itself. I saw the light duty version side by side with mine. With my heavy tractor, I feel the heavier duty version is more suitable. It's just beefier. Believe me, I have really worked it hard, mainly clearing trees, and it has worked flawlessly with no problems whatsoever. It's an incredible tool.

HCJ · Mar 28, 2009

One more thought. My belief is that the light duty and the regular duty like I have would both be great for carrying debris, moving logs, brush piles etc. I think the difference would be in digging or ripping out roots. With a big tractor, if you sink the blades and drive forward to rip up trees or bushes, or stick the blades under a stump to dislodge it, you could overwhelm the light duty one more easily. If you plan to dig stumps and knock down trees (which is what I do with mine mainly), get the heavier duty one. If you plan to carry away debris or logs already cut, either would work fine.

Beaux Duke · Mar 28, 2009

HCJ, was your custom version priced reasonably?

I'd be interested in seeing some pics if you have any you could post. I don't want a real heavy extreme duty unit. I'm sure the light duty is well built but if I can get a unit like yours for a few hundred more then I'd sure consider it.

To be honest, when Melissa gave me a quote, she told me that for an extra $100 they'd send some replacement spacer tines and that caused me to think about a more substantial unit.

I'm sure her reason was so I'd have some on hand if I did damage it instead of having to wait for some to be delivered.

Beaux Duke · Mar 28, 2009

Samandothers said:
I have moved 36" Gum in about a 8' section

That's about the size I was hoping it would handle. I've got around 18-20 that I need to move. Mostly pine but a few oak.

MikeB64 · Mar 29, 2009

These units look awesome! What prices would I be looking at for the ATI and the Markham. I have a Massey Ferguson 2410 with a 48" bucket.

merlintractor · Mar 29, 2009

Just bought a 48" light duty grapple for an MF 1246 loader for $900 plus shipping...great vendor to deal with! The ATI adapter for my loader looks like about $750

Samandothers · Mar 29, 2009

60" (and 48" too I believe) light duty Markham with one top tine is about $900 or so. You can then add extra spacers in bottom or extra top tine and these would I think add to price. Then tack on shipping. They are pretty flexibile in how it is configured.
I am not sure of price is you go with the heavier unit.

HCJ · Mar 29, 2009

My custom 48" cost somewhere between 1200 and 1400.. I will look that up tomorrow when I am at my office and let you know. The extra spacers and using 1/2" steel accounts for the extra price. You could use 1/2 steel w/o the spacers and it would be cheaper and just as effective. The ATI QA was around $700. Again, I will post the exact price tomorrow. Beaux Duke, there are pictures of mine posted on a thread by "dangerdoc" titled "any thoughts about using a stump bucket grapple instead of a full size grapple" from 2-23-09. I will repost these on this thread tomorrow when I get back to my office. If I were you, I would get a 48" 1/2 steel maybe w/o the spacers, and the cost would be reasonable. Melissa can quote you. They made this and delivered it to me in only 4 days! They made a mistake and sent me a light duty one initially, so I got to see them side by side. The top thumb on mine is a litle heavier duty that the light duty version and the 1/2 steel just makes it more indestructible. Otherwise, the design and shape is exactly the same. How heavy is your tractor and what HP?

medicshawn · Mar 29, 2009

I was all set to buy a Markham graple untill I found a deal on a used grapple I couldn't pass up. In all the reading I have done nobody comes close to their price. They will customize anything. I don't remember anyone mentioning any type of damage. It basically comes down to what configuration works best for your intended use.

IslandTractor · Mar 29, 2009

I agree that today Markham is the way to go for a general purpose light duty grapple. You cannot beat the price at $900 delivered for their standard light duty version and if you want to have it modified they are very willing to comply. I'd opt for the extra spacer tines on the bottom to keep small stuff from falling out but otherwise it is just fine. I have a different make (Millonzi..no longer made) and the Markham is essentially the same thing so I am pretty confident the Markham will make just about anyone happy. HCJ got a somewhat beefier version which is very nice but I have a tractor with similar weight/lifting capacity to his and my light duty grapple has stood up to 3 years of rough work with nothing other than cosmetic damage. For anyone with less than 2000lb lift capacity on their loader I'd say upgrading is just a waste of money and net lift.

Beaux Duke · Mar 30, 2009

HCJ said:
How heavy is your tractor and what HP?

It's 48 HP and with the BH attached is close to 8k lbs.

From what you've said and the other compliments given to Markham, it looks like they're hard to beat.

HCJ · Mar 30, 2009

Looked up the cost of mine. It was $1400 plus shipping. You could probably reduce this a little by getting 1/2 steel but no extra spacers. My tractor is 68 hp and weighs a little more than yours. I would feel a little more comfortable with the heavier model with a tractor as big as yours, especially if you plan to uproot trees (and that's what I like doing the most with my grapple!) This weekend, we cleared and area over 100 yards long to make a new deer stand shooting lane/food plot. We pushed up all of the trees, carried them to a pile, and leveled out the soil, all with the grapple and box blade. It's unbelievable how well it works. I don't think a dozer would have done it as well. We dug out old stumps and pushed over one tree 10" in diameter. The light duty may have held up, but we were really using the entire weight of the tractor to lever out these trees.

Does your loader already have skid steer QA. Unfortunately mine did not, and I had to buy a Tach All QA.

Did you find my pictures? If not let me know. I am a rookie at posting pix. Harold

My advice, get the 1/2", 48" Markham. I promise you, it will become your favorite tractor implement by far. I doubt if my bucket will ever be used.

Beaux Duke · Mar 31, 2009

HCJ said:
Does your loader already have skid steer QA. Unfortunately mine did not, and I had to buy a Tach All QA.

Did you find my pictures? If not let me know. I am a rookie at posting pix. Harold

My advice, get the 1/2", 48" Markham. I promise you, it will become your favorite tractor implement by far. I doubt if my bucket will ever be used.

Mine didn't have the QA either. I had to order it.
Found the pictures, thanks.
Melissa quoted me 1500 plus shipping. Dropping your name didn't seem to help

She wasn't sure if yours had double top tines but Allen won't let her take orders for a 48" double tine any more. I don't need that anyway.

I noticed you use straps instead of chains to tie your tractor to the trailer. How's that working? Any issues/problems? I think I'd prefer the straps. Much lighter.

HCJ · Apr 1, 2009

When I originally was quoted a price, I think it was $1450. (about 6 weeks ago) I decided to order a QA bucket ( I didn't order one on my loader) and also a toothbar. So I think she knocked off some more because of that. I suppose your loader came with the Kubota bucket. Maybe you can sell it rather than modify it. Markham's bucket was much cheaper than any other I priced. Used ones are easy to find also. As far as the binders, I am using straps. There is a rigger's supply near me and they can make anything for a reasonable price. I also bought some from Northern. I kind of new to this, as I have only had my trailer since November. I have transported my tractor only twice, about 20 miles each time. So far, it has worked out well. Never having used chains, I don't have any comparisons. I am careful to watch out for sharp corners that could cause wear. Finding somewhere to hook to the tractor is not easy.

Are you getting a WR Long electric over hydraulic valve? It really works well. Also when you install this, buy some abrasion resistant sleeve to encase the long hydraulic lines from the valve to the grapple quick connects. Those lines really move a lot and rub against the tractor. Catching these line with a stick would be easy, so the sleeve offers some protection. The grapple came with flush face skid steer type quick connects and my valve kit came with the Ag type. So consider that and maybe order either the valve or the grapple with whatever type you choose, rather than having to switch one end out at the installation. It seems that since you are going to a lot of expense to make the FEL skid steer compatible, the hydraulics should also be skid steer type, but I may not ever use any other implement, and most skid steer implements require more hydraulic flow than we have anyway. I switched out the grapple to the Ag type, as they were the only kind my dealer had available. So now I have a $50 pair of skid steer connects that I probably will never use. Save some money and order the right kind to begin with. Hope this helps. Keep us informed on the progress. I love spending somebody else's money! Seriously, I know you will be pleased with how it works.

IslandTractor · Apr 1, 2009

Beaux Duke said:
She wasn't sure if yours had double top tines but Allen won't let her take orders for a 48" double tine any more.

I wonder why they have stopped allowing the intermediate tines? That was a nice option as the 9 or 10 inch gap between tines on the standard grapple makes picking up any rocks smaller than 80-100lbs rather difficult.