Grapple Bucket Grapple Decision

[GregJ]

It's been a long time since I have posted here, but I have benefited from the collective knowledge of this group many times in the past. I have a Kubota B7500 with FEL and BH that I bought new in 2002. It has paid for itself at least 3 times over in the 8 years I have owned it. I have yet to have a problem with it and it has done WAY more than I ever thought it could.

OK.... Enough bragging about my orange paint..... Right now we are in the process of having our forested land thinned at the back of our property. We are removing close to 100 trees. A majority of these trees are alder. They all have to come down because they are 60-80 years old and starting to rot. Commercial value for veneer logs is around 1200mbf and 600mbf for saw logs. So, we will be putting some cash in the bank on this deal. Unfortunately the CFO of the household has all the cash earmarked for an asphalt driveway into our property. For some reason she doesn't like mud on her beloved 20 year old BMW.....

However, I am attempting to dip into those pre-allocated funds to ad a hydraulic grapple to my tractor. The thought of manually cleaning up all that debris makes this 58 year old body cringe?

I have been doing a lot of research and would really appreciate some feedback. I really want to keep the cost as low as possible on this. I have found 4 units to evaluate. All prices include shipping:

1. Wikco Add-a-Grapple $695
2. Green Machines "The Thumb" $419
3. Tatro Grapple $395
4. Extreme Metal Products (Complete Turn-key Unit) $1,099

For the first three I would need a diverter valve and hoses. I have found the following:

1. Basic manual diverter valve (Wikco) $140
2. Electric diverter valve (Wikco) $390

I estimate that I would need around $250 for hoses. So, the complete price for all of these items with an electric diverter valve ranges from $1,035 (Tatro) to $1,335 (Wikco)

So, I would like to ask:
Can anybody share some experiences any of these units?
Can anybody suggest other low cost alternatives?
I would like this grapple to be easily removable. Any thoughts?
I have hooks welded onto the top of my bucket and would like to mount this above the hooks so I don't have to lose them.
I do not weld, so this would have to be a bolt on unit.
Hydraulic flow is 7gpm.

Any and all feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[foggy1111]

I wanted a grapple on my old 790 too....but lacked the hydraulics and a few other things to keep me happy. So....I traded tractors first then added a root grapple from Markham/gator.

Here are things to consider:

1. QC Bucket? IF so, then a dedicated root grapple could be an affordable option.
2. Tractor QC connectors? Front Hoses? If not, then diverter valve may be best option. (but adding remotes may be a good alternative too?)
3. Hydraulic and welding skills? As you noted.
4. Dirt bucket or snow bucket needs alternately? (removing may be a hastle)
5. Cost. Hydraulic costs are the same with either a bucket grapple or a dedicated root grapple.
6. Long-term added value. To me a dedicated root grapple always has value seperate from the tractor.
7. And....probably the most important feature to compare: Operation. I think the dedicated grapple is a better performer for my needs.

I considered adding a diverter valve on my tractor, but had the 3rd SVC valve and lines to the front already, so was not required. I did look at these valves at the Surplus Center (TBN Advertiser) and would have purchased my valve from them had I gone that route. (Do a search on diverter valves for hours of reading.)

FWIW....I like having a dedicated root grapple and keeping my bucket ready for dirt work....at a moments notice via the QC feature. Costs about $1100 shipped to MN.....your shipping may be more.

 

[Willl]

I'd stay away from that Extreme Metal Products grapple. Watching their video it seems to have next to 0 crushing pressure. Does little more than just lay the grapple on the load.

Approx where in WA are ya ?

 

[GregJ]

Foggy1111,
Thanks for pointing me in the direction lf a quick attach system. That would add functionality and save on some hydraulic costs. My assumption was that it would be cost prohibitive. What brand root grapple do you have? Now I just need about another 20 hours of google time.....

Willl,
I have read that about the Extreme Metal Products grapple. The convenience of a turnkey system was the only tempting factor. It does look a bit light duty.

I am in North Kitsap.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[wedge40]

There are alot of people on here who have been please with one of these.
Gator Attachments Light Duty Grapple Rake.
I have one on an old 50HP Ford and love the thing. It's on more then the bucket is.

Wedge

 

[nybirdman]

I added a Green's Machine Thumb&Markham tooth-bar.Happy with it,doesn't add a lot of weight to the bucket,easily removed(both bolted on).What ever you do the hydraulics will be the same cost.I had to weld an angle on the top of my bucket to get the proper close.About $900.00 two years ago,I already had the third function installed for my snow plow.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have an ATI grapple that I am quite happy with. No one seems to mention these and I don't know why. I have had it for quite a few years.

 

[jpm]

i have the ATI grapple also .it works great :thumbsup:

 

[CurlyDave]

I have a root grapple from these folks: Skid Steer loader attachments and am very satisfied with it.

 

[jgrreed]

There are alot of people on here who have been please with one of these.
Gator Attachments Light Duty Grapple Rake.
I have one on an old 50HP Ford and love the thing. It's on more then the bucket is.

Wedge

I'm willing to bet you have a Markham grapple, not a gator.

I'm sure you've been told, and you may think, that they're the same thing. They're not. Trust me.

-Jer.

 

[Willl]

I do not weld

Don't let that hold you back on some of your choices.

A half rack will get my shop doors open no problem. :thumbsup:

Bit of a drive though, I'm out in Spanaway.

 

[93Mustang]

I have a Gator 48" Light Duty grapple (interested to hear how it differs from the markham grapple). I also spluged for a WR Long electric diverter. I did have it installed (which really increased the price) due to my complete lack of mechanical skills but based on the prices I read for a build your own setup on TBN and the acumen required, I didn't think it was that much more expenseive to buy a turnkey setup, particulary if you need to reorder a part or two-I learned this lesson when trying to install a simple hydraulic top link...) and you can install it yourself. I absolutely love this setup and even the CFO of the house has been impressed with what I have gotten done with it.:thumbsup: I also looked at the ATI grapple as well but decided I would rather have a separate grapple and it wasn't any more expensive. I had it made with the JDQA so it is really quick to switch back to the bucket. Not sure you can go wrong either way as this thing has been great for log and brush removal and I have found many other uses as it is handy for moving all kinds of stuff and it works really well for moving rocks as well (with a lot of ballast as heavy items can be pretty far away from the tractor when held by the grapple). Just my thoughts - Dana

 

[jgrreed]

I have a Gator 48" Light Duty grapple (interested to hear how it differs from the markham grapple). I also spluged for a WR Long electric diverter. I did have it installed (which really increased the price) due to my complete lack of mechanical skills but based on the prices I read for a build your own setup on TBN and the acumen required, I didn't think it was that much more expenseive to buy a turnkey setup, particulary if you need to reorder a part or two-I learned this lesson when trying to install a simple hydraulic top link...) and you can install it yourself. I absolutely love this setup and even the CFO of the house has been impressed with what I have gotten done with it.:thumbsup: I also looked at the ATI grapple as well but decided I would rather have a separate grapple and it wasn't any more expensive. I had it made with the JDQA so it is really quick to switch back to the bucket. Not sure you can go wrong either way as this thing has been great for log and brush removal and I have found many other uses as it is handy for moving all kinds of stuff and it works really well for moving rocks as well (with a lot of ballast as heavy items can be pretty far away from the tractor when held by the grapple). Just my thoughts - Dana

Was your grapple built pre-Markham departure or post?? If it was built before sept 2010, it's a Markham with a gator sticker on it. After sept 2010, it's a croc, oh, sorry, a gator.

-Jer.

 

[93Mustang]

I actually ordered it in September. I think they built it then so it is probably a gator. Are you implying that it is of lesser quality or poor design? I have now way to compare but besides some hassle getting the correct grapple setup, it has done everything I can ask. It seems to fit my tractor capabilities well and seems only to be limited by my loader limits. Moved a rock that took me 20 minutes to lift about an inch, had to slowly work it closer and closer to the pivot pins. Back end was very light (with Rimguard in rear tires and iMatch and box blade attached) and I moved sloooowly but the grapple appeared no worse for wear. Works wonders for moving logs etc. My only design thought is that I think the grapple would work better if the "fangs" lined up directly with the teeth at the bottom - sometimes it is difficult to grab smaller things as they can slip between the closed grapple and the bottom teeth. For someone who is doing a lot of work in the woods, the grapple has expanded the utility of the tractor by a significant amount. What I used to do with the bucket and or pallat forks, now takes half the time and is a lot easier (and a lot more fun but I don't mention that to the CFO).

 

[jgrreed]

I actually ordered it in September. I think they built it then so it is probably a gator. Are you implying that it is of lesser quality or poor design? I have now way to compare but besides some hassle getting the correct grapple setup, it has done everything I can ask. It seems to fit my tractor capabilities well and seems only to be limited by my loader limits. Moved a rock that took me 20 minutes to lift about an inch, had to slowly work it closer and closer to the pivot pins. Back end was very light (with Rimguard in rear tires and iMatch and box blade attached) and I moved sloooowly but the grapple appeared no worse for wear. Works wonders for moving logs etc. My only design thought is that I think the grapple would work better if the "fangs" lined up directly with the teeth at the bottom - sometimes it is difficult to grab smaller things as they can slip between the closed grapple and the bottom teeth. For someone who is doing a lot of work in the woods, the grapple has expanded the utility of the tractor by a significant amount. What I used to do with the bucket and or pallat forks, now takes half the time and is a lot easier (and a lot more fun but I don't mention that to the CFO).

Oh no, I'm not implying anything. As far as I know design is the same as Markham's.

The only comparison I have to the gator parts I've purchased, and gator service I received, is the tremendous admiration and compliments constantly paid to Melissa and Alan Markham here on TBN.

I'm glad that it's working well for you. You're lucky.

-Jer.

ps - http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-buying-pricing/188566-jd-grapple-bucket-prices-4.html

 

[Johnjudge007]

I have a grapple, with skidsteer connect and ran the lines from the rear remotes. Works well,but a little messy,starting to think about other options

 

[jgrreed]

I have a grapple, with skidsteer connect and ran the lines from the rear remotes. Works well,but a little messy,starting to think about other options

Lots of advice on here to run front lines. Glad to help if you need.

-Jer.

 

[GregJ]

As I said in the original post.... there is a wealth of information on this site and I REALLY appreciate all the comments and feedback. I have learned more in the last 24 hours about this project than in the month of googling prior to posting here. Here is where I am at right now.

The QA idea is great, but to switch over, the QA adapters would make it cost prohibitive. So right now I am leaning towards a removable unit like the Thumb, ATI or Tatro.

I am still a little unclear as to the direction I should go with a diverter valve. The advantages of electric vs. manual and where to find a good selection of these products is still a question for me.

Last night I ran across this thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/158654-re-usable-hydraulic-hose-fitting.html This seems almost too simple as a low cost solution for hoses. I can see not taking a risk with this approach on aircraft hydraulics.... but we are talking a simple grapple here. Is there any reason not to take this approach?

Once again, thank you all for your help with this. Oh.... and Willl.... Thank you for the offer. The bigger problem with going down to Spanaway with a loader bucket and a half rack is that I would have to help you with the half rack while you welded. Now... that would be a LONG drive home. Actually, I have some welding friends around here that can help me out. Thanks for the offer though....

Greg

 

[jgrreed]

I am still a little unclear as to the direction I should go with a diverter valve. The advantages of electric vs. manual and where to find a good selection of these products is still a question for me.


Greg

I can't remember if I posted to you re: this or not, but seriously look at a separate solenoid valve controlled by a thumb rocker rather than a diverter. You have to plumb new hoses and run new wires either way, so why not have dedicated control of the grapple/thumb??

-Jer.

 

[GregJ]

Jer,
By any chance do you have a link to one you would recommend? I'm a little slow on this and it helps to have pictures.... I can't help it.... I'm Swedish......

Greg