Grapple heavier grapple or not

[jake98]

I'd buy the very same size grapple again. Many of the same players...same views....with most going for the 48" size grapple. :thumbsup: (I think the same arguments are made over and over :laughing

That would be a good decision for a guy like you that doesn't use it..

 

[G man466]

That would be a good decision for a guy like you that doesn't use it..

hey guys thanks...i didn't mean to start a debate... i'll search previous threads and send pics after purchase.

 

[jake98]

we love grapple arguements. you're only on post # 7, just wait till you ask about tires..

 

[dex3361]

we love grapple arguements. you're only on post # 7, just wait till you ask about tires..

Or hydro vs gear transmissions. That is always good for about 10 pages of posts.:laughing:
I have a Anbo Grapple rake and it is a 66" wide. Sometimes I like the width and sometimes I dont. The narrow grapple will allow you to focus the forces on a smaller area. Your machine is bigger and heavier and would have a good bit more power that the CUT size tractor most of us have.

 

[foggy1111]

That would be a good decision for a guy like you that doesn't use it..

You just bring those matchbox toys of yours around and try to keep up with me sometime.....sonny. :laughing:

 

[Mike058]

hey guys thanks...i didn't mean to start a debate... i'll search previous threads and send pics after purchase.

Looking up old threads is really the best way to get information here. By the time you get done reading, you'll really have a good idea of what you need for your job.

 

[93Mustang]

Bought a Gator light duty (after reading the various opinions) and have found it to be a good fit for my loader and tractor. I am reasonably well balasted (Rimguard in rear tires and boxblade on rear) and have been able to move rocks that make the back end very light... Been a great tool for woods clearing and rock removal.
BTW I started what I though was a simple thread on diesel additives a while back this is still going strong...little did i know there was that much passion around that subject!

 

[IslandTractor]

There really is a lot already written about this issue.

The Kubota M series is pretty heavy and so I'd want to know how the user intended to use the grapple before making a recommendation. If it is just to pick up debris laying around or lifting felled trees then the basic light duty Markham/Gator etc would do fine IMO. If on the other hand the grapple will be used to root rake or dig out trees then I'd opt for the heavier duty steel in the 48 inch version to give it more rigidity as the momentum with a M would be quite a bit and striking an unseen stump or immovable rock/object assymmetrically would put quite a bit of twist on the grapple.

I know Jake and others are happy with their wider heavier grapples but I've still in five years never seen anyone with a bigger grapple post a photo or describe something they were able to do that our little bitty 48 inch grapples cannot do just as well. The concerns about hitting an unseen object with the edge of the grapple are multiplied when using a grapple that is wider than the FEL arms too. The notion that you cannot drive into brush with a narrow 48 inch grapple are bogus. I do it all the time and come out with huge loads.

Here is my latest capture with my 48 inch Millonzi (weight 280lbs). I could only lift the stump this high and as my loader is rated for 2700lbs to full height at pivot pins, I'm guessing this stump weighed something close to 3000lbs. If my grapple weighed 500+lbs, I probably would not have been able to lift it and move it.

 

[jake98]

there he goes.. showing off again.. ;-)
wait till I post a pic of a load of firewood all stacked on mine.

 

[dstig1]

The advantage in the Gator is that there are almost none in that small size/weight (48" & ~400 lbs), so if you need small they are about the only game in town at the moment. There are disadvantages to dealing with Gator which include some questions on recent quality and responsiveness. In my case, my new gator grapple popped off my quick attach in use. It came down to loose tolerances on the QA mounts on the grapple (my tractor's QA has no problem holding onto other attachments). They eventually sort of fixed it (sent parts, I welded them on) but I was not terribly pleased with the whole experience. Since then it has performed well. This is all over the past 2-3 months.

You have a much bigger tractor than most folks posting on this thread. MUCH bigger. It is capable of handling most regular skid steer size grapples. Something 60-66" should be easy to find, and from a number of suppliers ranging from cheap to high-end. As long as you don't go too crazy on the weight you should be in a very good position. Perhaps check with local dealers and you can find something nearby. And without the recent Gator drama or shipping hassles. That would be where I would look in your shoes. My $0.02...

-Dave

 

[IslandTractor]

there he goes.. showing off again.. ;-)
wait till I post a pic of a load of firewood all stacked on mine.

We always have our standard buckets for girly tasks like moving firewood!

 

[BarryinMN]

I have a larger 55 pto 10K lb tractor with a 66" grapple. It only covers the inside of the front wheel spacing. I prefer this as I can stick it between things & chomp down. A wider grapple is easier to get the load off balance bend & torque the loader arms. Mine is 3/8" and has not bent in 6 years of boulder, brush, etc. picking. The type of steel it's made of makes a difference.

 

[crazyal]

Looking up old threads is really the best way to get information here. By the time you get done reading, you'll really have a good idea of what you need for your job.

The only problem with reading past posts is when they turn into a "mine's better" type of thread. Since I'm going to make my own grapple this spring I have been reading lots of posts about them to understand what size would be about right. once people start debating each other about things like grapple width, tire type, etc and forget about saying why one size is better than the other it's easy to not read every post and miss some useful information.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I guess it inevitable that each poster will endorse what he/she has. After all, how many of us have more than one grapple rake to compare?
I happen to have the 48" Gator with extra spacers and 1/2" outer tines and it has worked great on my Kioti DK45 for moving trees, brush and trail clearing in my woods.
Most of my implements are 72", but I haven't missed the extra width with the grapple rake...if anything, it makes me more maneuverable in the woods to have the slightly narrower unit sticking 'way out there in front as I wend my way through the trees!
Either way, wider or narrower, you'll be happy just to have that nifty tool.
BOB

 

[IslandTractor]

The only problem with reading past posts is when they turn into a "mine's better" type of thread. Since I'm going to make my own grapple this spring I have been reading lots of posts about them to understand what size would be about right. once people start debating each other about things like grapple width, tire type, etc and forget about saying why one size is better than the other it's easy to not read every post and miss some useful information.

Yes, you do need to read through a lot of general "mine's better" stuff but most of the threads do bring up the important points about grapple style, size, weight etc.

Nobody complains about their grapple. That is one thing we all seem to agree on. And, nobody seems to upgrade the way we frequently upgrade other implements or tractors. Of course those of us who have smaller lighter cheaper grapples will point to this as strong evidence that smaller cheaper lighter is better too .

 

[foggy1111]

I guess it inevitable that each poster will endorse what he/she has. After all, how many of us have more than one grapple rake to compare?
I happen to have the 48" Gator with extra spacers and 1/2" outer tines and it has worked great on my Kioti DK45 for moving trees, brush and trail clearing in my woods.
Most of my implements are 72", but I haven't missed the extra width with the grapple rake...if anything, it makes me more maneuverable in the woods to have the slightly narrower unit sticking 'way out there in front as I wend my way through the trees!
Either way, wider or narrower, you'll be happy just to have that nifty tool.
BOB

Well Stated!:thumbsup:

 

[universalgirl]

We use a root grapple w/removable teeth. 66" and weighs 675lbs. It's 39" deep, 20" tall, 2 x 10 cylinders, has 5/8 tongs, 3/8 middle, and came 9 1/2 spacings bottom tine. We added tines and it wasn't but $75 to $100 more. We just cleared more pasture and it really came in handy.:thumbsup:

 

[IslandTractor]

We use a root grapple w/removable teeth.

I've never heard of removable teeth on a grapple. Can you post a photo or two? Who made the grapple?

 

[jake98]

I posted a pic on facebook of my tractor backing away from the loader and grapple, and one of my buddies commented, 'oh, so like you, it's teeth come out?' They had fun with that one..

 

[universalgirl]

I posted a picture under photo gallery. I've been trying to include it in reply but I'm thinking my fist was gonna get there faster.