Brush Grapple Preferred Width?

[rkaufmann]

I have a Kioti DK45SE gear tractor with KL401 loader and Rimgard in the rear tires ( approx. 6,000# gross). Standard bucket width is 72". I'm getting ready to order a dual lid grapple primarily for brush and log work. For those of you using grapples, what width grapple and why would recommend for my set-up?
Thanks,
Rick

 

[4570Man]

As narrow as possible.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The Bradco Grapple that I have on the Kubota GL3130 is the same width as the dirt bucket, no problems lifting.

David Kb7uns

 

[DT86]

I bought mine based on front wheel track and dirt bucket width. It works but at times I wish I'd went narrower. Not because it is too much added weight to handle but because it puts a lot of twist on things if it hits a stubborn root or whatever on the outside edge when pushing.

 

[oosik]

My bucket is 72" & the grapple is 60". I got the 60" grapple simply because I could see no logical reason for anything wider. Mine is used for brush, logs, large rocks & back dragging to smooth tilled land.

Other reasons - the 60" grapple is a little lighter than the 72" or 84", it was a little less expensive & it fits easily between trees etc where I go.

 

[sea2summit]

I got a 55" for my MX and it's pretty common for the rear tires to get light when I grab a pile of stumps because invariably one of them sticks straight forward out of the grapple putting a lot of weight forward (most of the time my BH is my ballast).

I don't have any reason for a bigger one, would probably go dual lid if I did it over...but I haven't broken anything yet so that may change my mind some day.

 

[SSdoxie]

The bucket that came with the loader is 68" and grapple is 60". When using it for loose brush it will grab enough with branches hanging over the sides to make it interesting weeing where your going heading to the burn pile.


Mine is a modified skidloader bucket with single grapple fork. If I was to buy new it would be as narrow as possible and still have dual lid/clamps.

 

[rd_macgregor]

Is there really that big an advantage to dual lid grapples? My single-lid, 48" Markham/Gator grapple has been very handy and I have never wished I had a wider one.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I believe I now have the best system I've ever used, by far...

It's a set of "adjustable" pallet forks with a single grapple, ALO is the brand that I have, and the grapple is matched to these forks. With forks being thin, you can easily slide them on the ground and drive right under any brush or a pile of limbs, grapple it, and pick the whole pile up,

OR, carefully pick a single log to load or unload from a trailer,

OR unload and move a load of lumber,

I can even move them together and drive them into the ground to clear my fields of big rocks,

And load them,

OR move a box of firewood,

OR a thousand other chores, ALL without changing tools! I've yet to see or use anything better, it's one tool that replaces two!

SR

 

[rkaufmann]

Rob, that is impressive versatility no doubt. To be honest, I am still torn as to whether get a traditional brush type grapple or some form of pallet fork grapple such a cheap set of 48", 3000 or 4000# forks and the adjustable Add-A-Grapple shown in the link below for about the same or possibly less cost than a dedicated grapple and maybe have the best of both worlds. Or am I kidding myself that the pallet grapple compromise wouldn't sacrifice some functionality in certain cases as opposed to the function of dedicated attachments? Two separate units is out of the budget at this time for me and I have immediate need for the grapple function over that of conventional pallet forks. Anyone have any thoughts on the functionality question?

Model 339S27 Adjustable Height Pallet Fork Add-A-Grapple

It appears that the general consensus is to go narrower for the brush grapple. So I will tend that direction if I go with a dedicated unit. I'm currently looking at grapple made by a local Mennonite welding/fabrication shop. Their standard configuration is 72", but they said they could scale it down some by eliminating one or more tines and adjusting tine spacing a bit to either around 63 1/2" or 59-60". The 72" unit is pretty beefy, all 3/8" and some 1/2" material and weighs in around 600#. My loader can handle that weight but I can save some weight going narrower and probably induce less twisting forces on the loader frame. They offer a "killer" price of $1200.00 complete with cylinders (2.5 x 8"), hoses and flat face couplers for the 72" unit. They said they could knock of a little if I decide to go narrower. That sounds like deal too good to turn down so I might just go that route and just wait a year to get separate forks.

Thanks everyone for all your input thus far.
Rick

 

[Snowback]

You have poked a bee's nest here. Lots of opinions on wide vs narrow and single vs dual lid. There are pros and cons to each setup, but any grapple is better than no grapple at all in my opinion.

A big consideration is to get a strong, but light grapple so as to maximize lift capacity. As to width, I have a mid size tractor and chose a 60" as it is my guage for fitting through tight spots in the woods and it provides a stable platform for moving long logs around without them bouncing around on a narrower unit. If my tractor was wider than 60" I would not have gone wider. In fact the 50" EA compact grapple would have worked fine for me and saved another hundred pounds. The really narrow models will let you grub roots and rocks with more force and precision, but so far my 60" has been small enough to get in and under any trees I've needed to remove.

Single lid was fine for me and I have hauled some odd shaped loads, but it has been mostly brush, stump and trees. The single lid is basically half as wide as the bottom of grapple and sits in the middle. Lots of good threads to read debates and pros cons of each width and lid type, so please do a quick search on that. There are also simply bucket bolt on systems, root rake grapples vs L shaped root grapples, varying hydraulic configurations, etc... The one nice thing about the type of grapple pictured here is that you can get the tines into the ground 4-5" and literally rake/grub out roots while the grapple rides on the round tube bars and and helps keep it from diving straight down. That would be a little harder with pallet forks, which do seem to work really well for many types of use as well. (Awesome pics Sawyer Rob!) You really cannot go wrong either way.

Here is a starter thread with a ton of discussion - http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/267492-wicked-root-debris-grapple-11.html

The pics below are a 60" Single Lid EA Wicked Grapple using an EA third function kit. (WR Long sourced) The Tractor is a Mahindra 2538 with 66" standard bucket and 60" width of tractor. I could not do without this implement. You have more weight and lift capacity, and would be happy with this type of setup I believe. If you do have it built locally, just watch the weight. This one is about 380 pounds and is engineered to be bullet proof with weight shaved in proper places. I have seen similar looking units that weigh 700 pounds +. Good luck! You'll love your grapple.

 

[k0ua]

I think snowback said it all. I really don't have anything to add.

 

[carmedic310]

My bucket is also 72.I tried a 72 in grapple on mine I thought it felt a little heavy once loaded so I ended up buying a 60inch works great

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Rob, that is impressive versatility no doubt. To be honest, I am still torn as to whether get a traditional brush type grapple or some form of pallet fork grapple such a cheap set of 48", 3000 or 4000# forks and the adjustable Add-A-Grapple shown in the link below for about the same or possibly less cost than a dedicated grapple and maybe have the best of both worlds. Or am I kidding myself that the pallet grapple compromise wouldn't sacrifice some functionality in certain cases as opposed to the function of dedicated attachments?
Thanks everyone for all your input thus far.
Rick

I can't see where a dedicated grapple will do anything that my set up won't do, (maybe in an individual specialized circumstance you could find something ?) but I see LOT'S of "every day" things, that my set up WILL do that a grapple won't...

I think it's important to buy a grapple made to go with the pallet forks, or you will give something up!

I know guys want the "meanest looking" grapple and others on this site ooow and aaaw over it, but looks doesn't make it work better, and I'm ALL ABOUT how it works and last, I don't care if some one else's look meaner! I'm just not trying to keep up with any yuppie neighbors! lol

SR

 

[rkaufmann]

I can't see where a dedicated grapple will do anything that my set up won't do, (maybe in an individual specialized circumstance you could find something ?) but I see LOT'S of "every day" things, that my set up WILL do that a grapple won't...

I think it's important to buy a grapple made to go with the pallet forks, or you will give something up!

I know guys want the "meanest looking" grapple and others on this site ooow and aaaw over it, but looks doesn't make it work better, and I'm ALL ABOUT how it works and last, I don't care if some one else's look meaner! I'm just not trying to keep up with any yuppie neighbors! lol

SR

I can see this is going to be a tough decision for me. Rob, can you elaborate on some things your pallet fork grapple will do that a regular grapple won't? I'm too all about best function, but must consider cost so I guess I'm looking for the best function overall for the price. Maybe I'm over thinking this whole thing, but it represents a major purchase for me. The meanest looking grapple is the farthest thing from my mind as well.
Rick

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I can see this is going to be a tough decision for me. Rob, can you elaborate on some things your pallet fork grapple will do that a regular grapple won't?Rick

Think about it... You can do EVERYTHING you can do with pallet forks, and pretty much EVERY THING you can do with a dedicated grapple...

Can a dedicated grapple do everything you can do with "pallet forks"??

SR

 

[rkaufmann]

Think about it... You can do EVERYTHING you can do with pallet forks, and pretty much EVERY THING you can do with a dedicated grapple...

Can a dedicated grapple do everything you can do with "pallet forks"??

SR

Well Rob I guess I can't argue with that logic. I will ponder this a little more and will post some pictures of what I'm getting when I make my final decision. Thanks everyone for all your input.
Rick

 

[KenB2920]

I have a 72" dual lid grapple. I like it and it works great. I would buy it again.

As for budget, I like the idea of the pallet fork grapple. Great concept that appears to work great. I already have forks but wanted / needed a grapple.

The only couple things I can think of that a grapple will do that a fork grapple won't are:

1) more breakout force with the grapple as the tips are closer to the machine and not 48" out. But then have a stronger machine than mine could negate this totally.

2) Having several ribs at the bottom keeps shorter / smaller sticks held in the grip as appose to falling through with only 2 forks.

3) the front of my "tines" stick out about 6" with a bar between them preventing digging deep into the earth. This is good for a couple reasons. A) it can break several roots at a time (as there are multiple tines) B) it works like a rake in forward and reverse leaving dirt behind and grabbing roots putting them in a nice pile for easy pickup.

4) I can't really put down pressure on my forks. (Some others can but mine and some others I've seen don't like down force)

If budget was an issue though, these pallet grapple would probably be my purchase. They look fantastic and would get most necessary work done.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Wider isn't better as far as I am concerned.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I got this one, simply because it became available, cheap! And I love it, except recently noticed that although I can pick up brush and stones, it won't pick up a pile of logs. Drives me nuts! They just get squeezed out til I only have one or two.

I also have the pallet fork with a grapple, but use it more for carrying hand-bombed brush.

My biggest frustration by far though, is trying to clean up the many slash piles in a harvested pine forest. I can't get my load out between the trees! A clam on a boom might work better.