Like a couple of the other guys responding, I have both a
grapple and a 4n1. I do use the 4n1 but I much prefer the
grapple and plain bucket combo if I had to choose. The 4n1 is a Swiss Army knife implement, it does lots of things but none of them as well as a dedicated tool. It is a lousy
grapple compared to a real one (the clam shell bottom grappling means you can only pick up one log at a time and even that is dicey at times). It has generally less volume capacity than a standard bucket and is much much heavier which limits your net lift capacity for whatever material you put in the bucket. It is a "bull dozer" that is mounted on two relatively vulnerable FEL arms so really cannot be used for much more than pushing surface debris around (which can also be done by a standard bucket). This is important as you have a lot of power and weight in a tractor pushing with relatively flimsy FEL arms that are designed to lift, not push. Look at a bulldozers "FEL" arms...they are short and stumpy and much fatter. You can damage both the 4n1 and the FEL by using the dozer function and it only takes hitting a single boulder off center to do that. A very expensive mistake. The last functioin of the 4n1 that doesn't get talked about too much is that it can cut going backwards. This is a unique function that is related somewhat to a boxblade or rake but this is generally the least commonly used function on these 4n1 buckets. To top it all off, the 4n1 buckets are wildly expensive and heavy compared to the other implements. A standard bucket costs no more than about $500, a very good
grapple can be had for a tad more than a grand as can a good box blade. That totals $2500 which is about what a 4n1 costs. 4n1 buckets weigh at least 300-400lbs more than a standard bucket or
grapple and that weight penalty comes directly off your lift capacity.
On the other side of the argument, there is no doubt that when the 4n1 is on the tractor you have a versatile "Swiss Army Knife" at your disposal right now. A
grapple is ten times as efficient in moving brush and logs but if it is in the barn while you are in the field it ain't doing you much good. I like to use my 4n1 when I have the backhoe mounted and am digging stumps. As I only need to lift one stump at a time there is little or no downside compared to a
grapple. The 4n1 is much better than the
grapple at filling in the stump holes however as it can be configured easily as both a bucket and a dozer blade to push and smooth dirt. On the other hand, I'd never mount the 4n1 if I was purposely doing brush clearing. That is a very frustrating experience for someone who is used to working with a
grapple and is akin to using that Swiss Army knife instead of an 18v drill driver to screw in sheet rock screws.
My bottom line advice is that it depends on what you intend to do with the 4n1. If you are running a construction business and need a single versatile tool around it makes a lot of sense. For the average home/ranch user however, if you are investing your only $2500 into that single tool I'd say it is a mistake. Get the standard bucket and either a true
grapple or a
grapple attachment for the bucket and then get a box blade or rake and you will have a more flexible group of implements. Add the 4n1 when you win the lottery (or as I did when you find it on eBay for a song).
I've put in some photos of my 4n1 used as a dozer and lifting a single log. I've put in for comparison a few photos of what the
grapple can do that the 4n1 could never touch.
