Grapple what size grapple??

[Tailrotor]

Your grapple should be no wider then your front tires. This is good sound advice on compact tractors. Keep it light but strong.

Check out Ambo grapples they are a little more expensive but are the caddy of grapples. Super lite and super strong.

 

[Piston]

The 66" EA Grapple I purchased 05/04 is due in 5/31. I will be using it initially to move rocks, but plan to move logs, brush, dig out stumps, and moving general debris. I am using this on a JD 4700 with a 400CX loader. Will let you know how it performs.

I think that will be an excellent fit for your tractor/loader. :thumbsup:

 

[farmall 55a case]

How wide is the bucket on your tractor swmich?

 

[Rockgod]

The 66" EA Grapple I purchased 05/04 is due in 5/31. I will be using it initially to move rocks, but plan to move logs, brush, dig out stumps, and moving general debris. I am using this on a JD 4700 with a 400CX loader. Will let you know how it performs.

Almost bought that grapple before I picked up the one I have now. It will be a good fit on the 400cx :thumbsup:

 

[qstott]

I also bought a 64" WR Long open bottom grapple. It stays on my tractor all the time. I use it for moving logs, limbs, debris, and digging up small roots and vines. It's not so great at digging up stumps of any larger size. The width works against you in that case. It does work great for pushing over small (6" to 8") trees. After pushing them over, you can dig up the stump and haul the whole mess off. I do like having two arms. Uneven sized objects are easy to grab, and as stated earlier, hauling firewood is a breeze. I use it more than I expected while mowing around fields. If I find a limb or dead tree fallen in the edge of the path or field, I scoop it up and mow right over the spot where it was.

 

[farmall 55a case]

Where are you guys getting these we long grapples at?

 

[farmall 55a case]

Wr. Not we

 

[swmich42]

How wide is the bucket on your tractor swmich?

The bucket I have now is 72", with teeth. Works very well, for what I've have used it for so far.

 

[Piston]

Where are you guys getting these we long grapples at?

From Nelson Long (member on here) at WR LONG INC W.R.Long the 4N1 Bucket People
Telephone (252) 823-4570
FAX (252) 823-4577
Location 1607 Cedar Street, P.O. Box 460 - Tarboro, NC 27886
E-mail "webmaster@wrlonginc.com"

Give them a call or email, he is very good with customer service (especially AFTER you make the purchase) :thumbsup:

I honestly can't recommend them enough.

You can't buy directly through him, as you have to go through the dealer network, however, just about any tractor dealership can be a dealer.

Dealer Locator (dealer locator)

You can also buy from everythingattachments.com they stock them and have them on the webpage, prices included for reference.

 

[swmich42]

Rockgod and Piston, thanks for the encouragement on the grapple I purchased. I know in a few weeks, I will have a better feel for how this new implement performs. I've moved 85 Cu Yards of rock so far with the bucket. Now comes the Boulders. 3-4 of the boulders are very large, so I may end up skidding some in close to where I need them, then giving them a little curl/push with the bucket. Also, with this new equipment, the two piles of logs and brush, that have taken about 1/2 an acre away from my planted field can be moved quickly, after I cut the log sizes down.

I did have my dealer install the 3rd function kit. I just do not have the time, with work, and the projects that need to be finished. It was not cheap, but the work looks very good. (I'll post some pics of their work) Thanks again for you guys on this forum. I originally only had a drawbar and clevis between my 3pt arms, to claim as my implements. This forum helped me correctly choose those implements I now own, which have increased my ability to finish projects faster, correctly, and safer.

 

[Piston]

One thing I want to mention about log handling with the grapple...

Sometimes if the log is too heavy for my FEL to lift, I will drag the log with the grapple, by driving up to the end of it, squeezing down on the log, and backing up to where I want to go. In fact, sometimes I can do two logs at a time with this method.
However, if you do this, be sure to be extra careful when turning, I only back up in a straight line, or a very wide radius turn. If you turn much at all, you are putting tremendous forces on the grapple arms (torquing force) with the long lever arm the log creates, and will bend the grapple arm. I bent part of my grapple arm (the outer tooth on one grapple, and actually it was my dad not me:laughing but it was easily heated and bent back.

Just something to keep in mind.

You will be absolutely amazed at how much work you can do with that setup. I brought my bucket with me when I cleared some land last month, hoping to try out my brand new ratchet rake, but I never once took the grapple off. This is as close to work as the ratchet rake has seen, it made the trip up, and back down, but never got hooked up to the tractor. :laughing: