Grapple bucket for SCUT?

[Fiziksgeek]

Not trying to sway you one way or the other OP!
Travis

View attachment 447713

Yeah...sure...not trying to sway me...Those small tractors are still bigger than mine! I've been considering upgrading to a B2601 for a little more ground clearance and a little more grunt. If I ended up going that way, your wicked grapple is on my list...just not sure I am ready to pull that trigger....

 

[IslandTractor]

Small tractors with Wicked Grapples. Just for reference...
Not trying to sway you one way or the other OP!
Travis

View attachment 447713

View attachment 447714

You need some pictures where a grapple is actually doing something useful! Those two examples show pretty new grapples doing something that could just as easily have been done with a standard bucket!!! Indeed, both would have been more appropriately done with a bucket. Carrying small items (chainsaw, gas can, oil) or pavers that clearly were loaded by hand do not show the benefits of a grapple.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

You need some pictures where a grapple is actually doing something useful! Those two examples show pretty new grapples doing something that could just as easily have been done with a standard bucket!!! Indeed, both would have been more appropriately done with a bucket. Carrying small items (chainsaw, gas can, oil) or pavers that clearly were loaded by hand do not show the benefits of a grapple.

I didn't take the pics, but I'm always grateful that people care enough to photograph our grapples and I like to show them off when the opportunity arises!

I have a pretty good collection of Wicked Grapple pics, but those were the most relevant to this thread.

Here's a Wicked Grapple doing work, but where's the grapple?
Travis

 

[IslandTractor]

I didn't take the pics, but I'm always grateful that people care enough to photograph our grapples and I like to show them off when the opportunity arises!

I have a pretty good collection of Wicked Grapple pics, but those were the most relevant to this thread.

Here's a Wicked Grapple doing work, but where's the grapple?
Travis

View attachment 447725

That's more like it!!!! I can see the left bottom corner of what I presume is the 50" compact.

You should start a series of photos "where's the grapple?" just like "Where's Waldo?...

That photo is also a great example of "sticky brush" and why a narrow single lid grapple can do far more work than one might expect.

Here's a similar (non EA) 48" grapple trying to hide:

 

[EverythingAttachments]

That's more like it!!!! I can see the left bottom corner of what I presume is the 50" compact.

I'll keep it's identity as a mystery right now. I got the pic off TBN, so there's a chance that the owner will see it and let us know!
It is a Wicked though!
Travis

 

[4570Man]

The last picture was obviously hand loaded, but it still holds a lot more than the bucket. These pictures were a were small percentage of what I recently did with it. I cut 5 or 6 of those terrible pine trees, a large oak, and a huge maple. I cleaned it all up with the grapple.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Just for comparison



I don't know why you are so against these bucket grapples they are really quite good.

gg

 

[ovrszd]

I prefer a bucket grapple. Gives me both functions without having to switch. The grapple is rarely in the way. I have the factory bare bucket if needed. In 4 years of heavy FEL use my factory bucket barely has paint worn off the cutting edge.

 

[newbury]

I have pallet forks and a real grapple. The pallet forks are a huge improvement over the factory bucket, but the grapple is still vastly superior for moving brush. A set of pallet forks with a thumb would be a good compromise, but still not nearly as good as a real grapple.

My suggestion for pallet forks was because the OP seemed price sensitive and pallet forks can always be handy. Perhaps half of my equipment is stored on pallets. I can roll them around with my standard HF pallet jack or pick them up with my tractor. For a tractor WITHOUT a QA the $150 pallet forks are a great attachment. And they require no hydraulics.

Just for comparison

View attachment 447965

I don't know why you are so against these bucket grapples they are really quite good.

gg

If you read closely most of the posters who seem to be AGAINST a bucket grapple have larger tractors and budgets. Those of us with small tractors, small budgets, and big ambitions have tradeoffs. I'd really like to have an EA $1,600 grapple, either pin on or with a $300 QA for my B7610 but realistically my chain and pallet forks will probably do for now.

 

[IslandTractor]

Just for comparison <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/447965-grapple-bucket-scut-loadoffirewood-jpg"/> I don't know why you are so against these bucket grapples they are really quite good. gg

Who doesn't like bucket grapples? If I didn't have a SSQA, I'd definitely have one. Better than a 4n1 at a quarter the price.

 

[4570Man]

My suggestion for pallet forks was because the OP seemed price sensitive and pallet forks can always be handy. Perhaps half of my equipment is stored on pallets.

Pallet forks are handy. I have a set that doesn't get used very often, but when I need them nothing else will do. Pallet forks without a claw suck for moving brush and logs, but still a huge improvement over the bucket.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Who doesn't like bucket grapples? If I didn't have a SSQA, I'd definitely have one. Better than a 4n1 at a quarter the price.

Definitely not you ! You are one of the very few "real grapple" owners who appreciates the trade offs around a grapple bucket and will actually encourage their use out loud when it is appropriate.

gg

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Thanks guys, I know you all like to show off your machines..but most are not representative of my situation. Not only am I cost conscience, I am weight conscience, I have a little tractor!

I've never seen anyone with a SCUT convert to a SSQA, mainly because of the weight they add. The lightest option I've seen is the tach-n-go from mytractortools, which runs ~$850. Then I need a pin on grapple....and of course the diverter or 3rd function valve. All together, seems like a bunch of money for something I only need a hand full of times per year.

I'll let you all know what I decide to do...

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks guys, I know you all like to show off your machines..but most are not representative of my situation. Not only am I cost conscience, I am weight conscience, I have a little tractor!

I've never seen anyone with a SCUT convert to a SSQA, mainly because of the weight they add. The lightest option I've seen is the tach-n-go from mytractortools, which runs ~$850. Then I need a pin on grapple....and of course the diverter or 3rd function valve. All together, seems like a bunch of money for something I only need a hand full of times per year.

I'll let you all know what I decide to do...

I totally understand your situation. Very hard to justify a Grapple on a SCUT. I think everyone is trying to offer options. None of us are worried about what your final decision is. Just giving suggestions and personal preferences. You are free to do whatever you decide. That's what is so good about this website. No pressure.

As to use, you'll just have to trust us on this one, if you have a Grapple you will quickly wonder how you got along without one.

 

[4570Man]

Little tractor means little grapple. Big tractor means big grapple. A properly sized grapple doesn't severely compromise lift strength. You are going to need hydraulics for any setup with a clamp, so that price doesn't matter. The grapple bucket isn't free, so there is not a huge difference in price.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I happened to come across this and wonder if you have seen it ? It says 80 lb grapple for BX

American Solutions LLC

gg

 

[IslandTractor]

I happened to come across this and wonder if you have seen it ? It says 80 lb grapple for BX

American Solutions LLC

gg

That is basically a kit to convert the standard bucket into a grapple bucket. Should work just fine but is barely cheaper than a light duty 50" grapple from EA. I would imagine that the weight of kit plus standard bucket is pretty close to the 250lbs of the EA grapple too. So, it seems a perfectly reasonable option and has the advantage that you A) don't need to mount/dismount and B) you have both the bucket as well as a pretty good grapple all the time. Flip side is that a true grapple can handle bulkier loads a bit more easily and can dig out roots etc. Also, switching a pin mounted grapple that weighs only 250lbs isn't hard to do so long as you have a nice flat surface and crowbar to maneuver the thing with.

Remember that you still need to deal with the hydraulics question but that would be identical for either the kit or a true grapple.

If I had a BX I'd be inclined to do the kit myself. And I would LOVE to have a BX TLB in addition to my current tractor.

 

[ovrszd]

Flip side is that a true grapple can handle bulkier loads a bit more easily and can dig out roots etc.

Yep, when compared to the factory bucket. I'm not sure I'd like an add on Grapple on a short aproned bucket like the factory ones. But if there's a considerable cost savings over buying a Grapple then it would be considered.

I built my Grapple on a Bobcat Low-Pro bucket which has a very long apron and toothed edge. It easily "grabs" bulky brush and by standing it on edge and pushing, "sweeps" up the small stuff into a pile for grabbing. And still offers the use of the bucket to carry loose material.

 

[IslandTractor]

Yep, when compared to the factory bucket. I'm not sure I'd like an add on Grapple on a short aproned bucket like the factory ones. But if there's a considerable cost savings over buying a Grapple then it would be considered.

I built my Grapple on a Bobcat Low-Pro bucket which has a very long apron and toothed edge. It easily "grabs" bulky brush and by standing it on edge and pushing, "sweeps" up the small stuff into a pile for grabbing. And still offers the use of the bucket to carry loose material.

The price of that Add A Grapple kit is pretty high considering that a basic thumb with cylinder can be purchased on eBay for less than four hundred bucks. At $1600 the EA grapple is probably a better bang for the buck than a $1200 add a grapple kit but both would be a clear enhancement over just a bucket. (Edit: I just saw that the Add A Grapple kit says it includes a "hydraulic valve". It doesn't say anything about that valve ??third function or diverter but if it includes the valve then the price is more reasonable as that is worth $600++ depending on what exactly is provided).

The only real advantage of the kit is that someone else has done all the measuring and fabrication of the mount. For someone with basic metalworking and welding (or bolting) skills, fabricating a mount wouldn't be hard.

New Bucket Thumb Grapple for Skid Steer Loader Tractor Small | eBay

 

[ovrszd]

The price of that Add A Grapple kit is pretty high considering that a basic thumb with cylinder can be purchased on eBay for less than four hundred bucks. At $1600 the EA grapple is probably a better bang for the buck than a $1200 add a grapple kit but both would be a clear enhancement over just a bucket. (Edit: I just saw that the Add A Grapple kit says it includes a "hydraulic valve". It doesn't say anything about that valve ??third function or diverter but if it includes the valve then the price is more reasonable as that is worth $600++ depending on what exactly is provided).

The only real advantage of the kit is that someone else has done all the measuring and fabrication of the mount. For someone with basic metalworking and welding (or bolting) skills, fabricating a mount wouldn't be hard.

New Bucket Thumb Grapple for Skid Steer Loader Tractor Small | eBay

Yeah, I don't consider myself talented at all, but I built my Grapple. I do have a shop with the necessary tools. Can't remember what I had in material cost. Without valving I'd say $450. That's for a double cylinder, double clawed Grapple.

Something for the OP to consider. If you have a Welding Shop near you, stop in and talk to them. My local shop builds individual Grapples to fit customer needs.