Grapple use, or did I need a root rake?

sandman2234 · Jun 23, 2017

Palmetto bushes are very plentiful in Florida, and I just got my first grapple. Thought that since it "looked like a root rake, smelled like a root rake, felt like a root rake" then it must work like a root rake. I guess either I am completely off my rocker about how to go about this, or a grapple is not to be used as a root rake. I was hoping to walk right up to the palmetto bushes, lower the grapple, ease forward and pluck them right out of the ground!
Really didn't happen this way, not even close to what I expected. Hopefully either someone can explain the way to do it, or I can use the grapple to carry the pieces once I get them dug up with a root rake.
Any suggestions on how to use the grapple to uproot palmetto bushes in soft soil?
David from jax

jeff9366 · Jun 23, 2017

Palmettos are often two layers deep, sometimes four layers deep.

I have used a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment but it is only fair at removing Palmettos.

A Bucket Solutions' Bucket Spade works really well and is my primary Palmetto solution.

LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328798-bucket-spade-today-fel-bucket.html?highlight=

Photos: Kubota B3300SU

Xfaxman · Jun 23, 2017

We need a picture of your grapple please.

sandman2234 · Jun 23, 2017

Well, see if this works.
David from jax

sandman2234 · Jun 23, 2017

Jeff9366, I like that, looks interesting! I can see me overloading that in a hurry and bending my bucket!!
Got a question, do you think a set of forks (4K capacity) with the forks slid together and maybe a flat plate added to keep them together all the time, or maybe a pair of tubes welded side by side to keep forks together would work in a similar fashion? I know having the bucket to catch the stuff you dig up would be better, but in my case, the main concern is getting them up out of the ground, and moved about 20 feet. If I can get them dug up, then the grapple will move them, or put the bucket on and move them like that.
David from jax

sandman2234 · Jun 23, 2017

By following your link, you answered my question. Guess I need to find one for a pallet fork!
Thanks, David from jax

Cataclysm · Jun 23, 2017

Or a stump bucket. Built heavy enough to take the leveraging force.

WR Long Tree Spade

sandman2234 · Jun 23, 2017

Cataclysm said:
Or a stump bucket. Built heavy enough to take the leveraging force.

WR Long Tree Spade

Thanks, that also is a good idea!
David from jax

jeff9366 · Jun 24, 2017

sandman2234 said:
Jeff9366, I like that, looks interesting! I can see me overloading that in a hurry and bending my bucket!!

I have removed hundreds and hundreds of Palmettos with the Bucket Spade. First with Bucket Spade mounted on the standard bucket on a Kubota 'B' series tractor-loader, which required prudent operation, now with the Bucket Spade mounted on my Kubota heavy-chassis Grand L with Kubota's optional heavy-duty, round-back bucket, L2296. No problems. Well designed attachment for digging with a FEL bucket.

Bucket Solutions' Bucket Spade come with sockets and bolt locks to attach to pallet forks if you need to dig deeper than 48". I have never needed to reach deeper.

A Bucket Spade will be much more efficient at Palmetto removal than pallet forks alone. It is designed to dig. It is a spade!

Egon · Jun 24, 2017

sandman2234 said:
Jeff9366, I like that, looks interesting! I can see me overloading that in a hurry and bending my bucket!!
Got a question, do you think a set of forks (4K capacity) with the forks slid together and maybe a flat plate added to keep them together all the time, or maybe a pair of tubes welded side by side to keep forks together would work in a similar fashion? I know having the bucket to catch the stuff you dig up would be better, but in my case, the main concern is getting them up out of the ground, and moved about 20 feet. If I can get them dug up, then the grapple will move them, or put the bucket on and move them like that.
David from jax

Get several pieces of square tubing an bolt them to the bucket. Keep them about 18 inches apart for pulling out roots. Bolt them on wider apart to act as forks. You can dig all kinds of stuff with this arrangement. It works really well for bushes and small trees.

Reinforce the bucket bottom with 1/2 in strips of welded on AR plate or cutting edge. Do the same for the side leading edge.

Make sure you have a guard on the top of the bucket so things can't roll into your lap. This is very important.

sandman2234 · Jun 24, 2017

I have a set of pallet forks that attach right on my loader. No need to subject the bucket to the abuse of digging out roots. Palmetto's are a little more of a problem due to their size, but I am beginning to realize that it might be my best option.
A walk path around a large pond on a 20 acre piece of property is the goal, with palmetto's being the major hurdle.
David from jax

jeff9366 · Jun 24, 2017

SSQA pallet forks with Bucket Spade on the end might be excellent. 36" pallet forks might be better than 42" pallet forks, I don't know.

I have suggested to ETA that a SSQA Bucket Spade, eliminating the bucket, which would have greater spade payload and better visibility of the work, might be a profitable impelement to offer. No interest, at this time.

You have read my LINK in Post #2. Bucket Spade is a high value, strong tool for $400 delivered.

Todd727 · Jun 24, 2017

I'd second the stump bucket route. A bit more aggressive with the teeth. Also, you don't have to move it on and off of another attachment. If you have power connect for your loader, you won't even have to leave the seat to switch between the stump bucket and normal bucket.

sandman2234 · Jun 25, 2017

I went back up to the church yesterday and tried a couple more palmetto's, and actually it does work, just have to be a little less aggressive about how far to lower the grapple into the dirt. I was thinking that 65 hp would be enough to just scoop them up, but not so.
Guess this will take longer than I was expecting!
David from jax

Egon · Jun 25, 2017

I must apologise to the OP; it would seem I completely missed the grapple you have.

That is the perfect solution to pulling roots!:thumbsup:

Did you try moving the tractor while pulling up with the grapple?

Also use the curl as the tractor is trying to move. It's probably got the most force of the joystick options.

sandman2234 · Jun 25, 2017

Egon said:
I must apologise to the OP; it would seem I completely missed the grapple you have. Egon, apology not needed, but accepted anyway. We all miss things from time to time, as there is alot of reading to do on these pages and we tend to skip thru the boring parts, lol!!

That is the perfect solution to pulling roots!:thumbsup: Probably not perfect...takes too much time, lol! Good thing is they are not my palmetto bushes, so I only have to do what i "want" to do.

Did you try moving the tractor while pulling up with the grapple? Actually what seemed to work best is to get the right depth and use the tractor's horsepower to ease forward, and then lift while curling. I know I really have to be careful with that, to prevent a tweaked loader!

Also use the curl as the tractor is trying to move. It's probably got the most force of the joystick options.

Understood!

Thank you,
David from jax

sandman2234 · Jul 23, 2017

I was up at the church yesterday, with the bucket on the tractor, and dug out a few palmettos with it. It will do it fine, just a little on the slow side. Me getting used to using the FEL will probably speed things up a little. I haven't had the grapple on the tractor lately so I haven't tried it again, but probably will soon.
David from jax