Grapple Brush Grapple, Titan, Versatech - What's Good?

TomSeller · Mar 7, 2014

http://www.therakeshop.com/

http://faverinc.com/SS_grapple_rakes.htm

Just type "Faver grapple" into eBay, you will find many.

Don McConnell · Mar 7, 2014

I don't disagree with you guys and I'm starting to feel uneasy because I can't find out any info on the Versatech including who their dealers are. What was driving me is that I like the looks of what I've seen on the Versatech. I am a little concerned about the opening width on the 66" or 72" Wicked Root Grapple (WRG) which is 30". Most of the major grapples I've looked at have openings of 38"- 50". I make up that 30" is going to be too restrictive in regards to what you can pickup. Also, a major auction company in my area is getting ready to sell some brand new Versatech's that I suspect I can buy for as little as $!000-$1200. That is a substantial savings over the WRGs. But of course price is not the only consideration if I can't determine who sells and supports the Versatech, that is an issue. Also another question for you guys. I'm uncertain about the type of grapple that works best such as a Versatech/WRG compared to what is called a rake type grapple that opens very wide but doesn't have the extending bottom tines like the WRG. Any experience with that? My use would be clearing logs and brush piles on my property.

EverythingAttachments · Mar 7, 2014

Don McConnell said:
I don't disagree with you guys and I'm starting to feel uneasy because I can't find out any info on the Versatech including who their dealers are. What was driving me is that I like the looks of what I've seen on the Versatech. I am a little concerned about the opening width on the 66" or 72" Wicked Root Grapple (WRG) which is 30". Most of the major grapples I've looked at have openings of 38"- 50". I make up that 30" is going to be too restrictive in regards to what you can pickup. Also, a major auction company in my area is getting ready to sell some brand new Versatech's that I suspect I can buy for as little as $!000-$1200. That is a substantial savings over the WRGs. But of course price is not the only consideration if I can't determine who sells and supports the Versatech, that is an issue. Also another question for you guys. I'm uncertain about the type of grapple that works best such as a Versatech/WRG compared to what is called a rake type grapple that opens very wide but doesn't have the extending bottom tines like the WRG. Any experience with that? My use would be clearing logs and brush piles on my property.

Our bottom tines do not stick out as far as some, which is really better for compact tractors because it keeps the load closer to the tractor. If the bottom tines were longer, it would result in longer lids and a wider opening, but we haven't found the 30" opening to be restrictive at all, in our testing or from customer feedback. There are several TBN members that have them and not one has ever mentioned it.

Also, before developing our Wicked Grapple, our top selling compact tractor grapple was the CA Root Grapple......hundreds and hundreds of them with no sign of an unhappy user.
Travis

EverythingAttachments · Mar 7, 2014

Don McConnell said:
I'm uncertain about the type of grapple that works best such as a Versatech/WRG compared to what is called a rake type grapple that opens very wide but doesn't have the extending bottom tines like the WRG. Any experience with that?

People do have different opinions concerning the different styles, which can, and has been debated for days, weeks, months....
The root rake style grapple has geometry like a dozer blade and teeth similar to the ripper shanks on a boxblade, so it is better for pushing and digging roots. This grapple is fully opened at 36".
Travis

GManBart · Mar 7, 2014

Don McConnell said:
There are lots of places that sell Versatech even places like ebay, Amazon, equipment auctions but when you try to find specs, I simply can't find any. I called the manufacturer "DH Machine" and they said that the exclusive arrangement they have with their client prohibits them from giving out that info. So I ask the guy for his client's name so I could get the specs from them and he said their arrangement precludes him from telling me that.

There are a couple of people selling them on Craigslst around here, but I haven't looked at one in person. The lack of specs really turned me off, and I like the fact that if I buy an EA Wicked grappe I know I'm getting a made in the U.S. product, with U.S. components.

I have the same R4047 you do, and plan to get either the 66" or 72" Wicked Grapple this year....I've spent many hours reading grapple reviews, and the only question left is the slight size difference (I'm leaning towards 66" now).

Don McConnell · Mar 7, 2014

OK, I thought I would pass on to everyone for what it is worth the details on Versatech Grapples. The Versatech name and distribution rights are owned by a company called ATCO Equipment out of Knoxville TN. DH Machine makes the grapples for ATCO. ATCO does not have a dealer network nor do they sell the grapples to individuals direct. They told me that they only sell the grapples through some of the major auction sites such as Ritchie Bros., Richason Auctions, etc. Based on what I've seen I believe it to be a pretty good grapple at a very decent price. The distribution channel seems a bit screwy.....

7879fordman · Mar 7, 2014

I went with a WildKat and love it .

It took me a year to decide on style and brand . I'm 100% happy with the design and brand .

Sent from my iPhone 5 using TractorByNet

Steppenwolfe · Mar 7, 2014

Dude, atleast check out the E T wicked grapple. This thing is rock solid, and amazing. I love mine.

View attachment 364305

Poopdeck Pappy · Mar 7, 2014

7879fordman said:
I went with a WildKat and love it .

It took me a year to decide on style and brand . I'm 100% happy with the design and brand .

View attachment 364302

View attachment 364303

I've got a Wildkat Stump Grapple and it is well made. My only complaint, which I would also have with your grapple, is that the solid backing plate blocks visibility to the grapple. The EA WRG does not have that, so you would be better able to see what the grapple is doing, especially if you're trying to do any finesse work with it. The lack of visibility caused by the solid backing plate could be easily solved, however, by cutting out a couple of sections of it and welding some expanded metal in place.

The weakness of the EA WRG, in my opinion, is that the backing plate is so open that sticks and branches can poke out the back of the grapple and go through the tractor's grill. That could be easily solved by welding some expanded metal on the back.

TomSeller · Mar 7, 2014

Don McConnell said:
I don't disagree with you guys and I'm starting to feel uneasy because I can't find out any info on the Versatech including who their dealers are. What was driving me is that I like the looks of what I've seen on the Versatech. I am a little concerned about the opening width on the 66" or 72" Wicked Root Grapple (WRG) which is 30". Most of the major grapples I've looked at have openings of 38"- 50". I make up that 30" is going to be too restrictive in regards to what you can pickup. Also, a major auction company in my area is getting ready to sell some brand new Versatech's that I suspect I can buy for as little as $!000-$1200. That is a substantial savings over the WRGs. But of course price is not the only consideration if I can't determine who sells and supports the Versatech, that is an issue. Also another question for you guys. I'm uncertain about the type of grapple that works best such as a Versatech/WRG compared to what is called a rake type grapple that opens very wide but doesn't have the extending bottom tines like the WRG. Any experience with that? My use would be clearing logs and brush piles on my property.

The big advantages of the rake grapple are forward raking of shallow roots with the lower tines buried slightly into the soil and back raking with the top lid while having your grapple completely uncurled and in the FEL boom in float. Back raking is usually for cleanup, pulling brush away from walls, creeks, etc. Short lower tines on rake grapples limit the load carrying capacity severely. Longer lower tines help the load carrying capacity but limit the ability for back raking if they are so long that uncurling does not allow the top lid to touch the ground first.

L Bottom grapples excel for load carrying. Wide L bottoms carry loose debris well but dig poorly since so many tines have to dig into the ground. They do not carry heavy loads well if your FEL has limited lift (capacity used up by the weight of the grapple). Narrow, light grapples lift the most weight assuming you don't overload them. They also dig the best.

I don't think there is a single best grapple so I have multiple. As far as the vertical opening goes, I can't imagine having anything that opens less than 40". The EA grapples are fine for smaller tractors since that is what they are designed for. But if you have some serious lift available and large to normal loads to carry, you will likely not be happy with an EA grapple.