Grappling fun - A Picture Thread....

[Xfaxman]

X, you kill me with your pics. I know it's you before I check the signature on the post.

Ditto!

...and I am still showing EVERY pic to my SWMBO to try to convince her that we needs one of them telehandlers.

:thumbsup:

Telehandler is too big, needs to be a compact telehandler with SSQA on the boom. :thumbsup:

So you can do this to a 24' tall cedar tree:

 

[tractorshopper]

Had some trees cut at a property I'm working on. Moving the logs and debris. Think I found the limit of my BX 2370 grapple....

 

[IslandTractor]

Had some trees cut at a property I'm working on. Moving the logs and debris. Think I found the limit of my BX 2370 grapple....
View attachment 515051
View attachment 515052

Not bad at all for a might BX!

I have a bigger tractor but if those BXs didn't hold their value so well I would buy a used one to do chores around the yard and just use the bigger tractor in fields. Trouble is the price of a used BX TLB hasn't come down at all in the past 12-13 years. Even high hour BX23s cost 11-12K on CraigsList around here.

 

[tractorshopper]

Yeah, I was impressed. Don't know what that one weighed, but it was a big log. I could have lifted it higher, etc. Loader still had a little more to give, but the load was squatting the front tires as bad as I've ever squatted them and the tractor felt less stable while moving this one around. This with the rear wheels filled and a 5' box blade on the back. I kept the load very low while moving it. Anything bigger than this one, I just pushed out of the way.

 

[PhysAssist]

Sorry, I won't post such links any more. Just found something that seems good for me and posted.

Well given that they're in Lithuania, they wouldn't be much good here in the states anyway.

 

[PhysAssist]

Telehandler is too big, needs to be a compact telehandler with SSQA on the boom. :thumbsup:

So you can do this to a 24' tall cedar tree

You are correct sir, but since she still isn't saying yes any time soon anyway, a guy can dream can't he?

But we are mostly interested in pulling dead stumps, not too many live trees, at least right now anyway.

Thx
T

 

[4570Man]

You are correct sir, but since she still isn't saying yes any time soon anyway, a guy can dream can't he?

But we are mostly interested in pulling dead stumps, not too many live trees, at least right now anyway.

Thx
T

This was a live stump.

 

[Coyote machine]

Just reading through the last few pages of this thread and wanted to say I've had the Igland GR-20 Log Grapple for a number of years, and it's been great. I put expanded metal in the opening where the piston is between the upper and lower jaws so the branches can't get to my tractor grill, as well as I have the same in my Kioti brushbar. Belt and suspenders to protect radiator, trans cooler and Interstate battery. I too have the red extension feet bolted onto the lower two tines of the grapple. Didn't start out with them, not sure they were even available when I first bought the grapple, but they do make getting under a load easier and pickup and carry easier too, IMO.

Don't have a rock plate, but could see where it could be useful, but even a drop in piece of expanded metal might work well so it could be removed when not needed for rock picking.
I can vouch for the pics of large logs one might find hard to believe it can pickup and hold, but one of its advantages is it's only 390#s, so the DK-40 series tractors have the rest of their 2795#s, (or close to that number can't recall exact spec), of #s lift capacity left to do work.

It is a very beefy wall steel, and I've been using it for many years and have never come close to bending anything on it. I've seem the Frostbite brand recently and compared the features of each. I don't see any advantage of one over the other, BUT I've only use the Igland.

My across the road neighbor finally got a Frostbite after I had showed him my Igland years ago. He now says he doesn't know how he ever got by without it...I tried to get him to listen about 4-5 years ago. He has a Kubota too; what can I say...guess he likes throwing his money around.

I also have the Igland model 4001 PTO driven winch and it too is amazing what it can haul, especially when a clamshell snatch block is attached to a nearby tree; it doubles the pulling force to 8,000#s!
I actually broke the stock 3/8" cable hauling a large log that got caught against a stump. I guess I kept reefing on it and cranked up the RPMs until something had to give. Glad I didn't end up wearing the cable around my head or neck like a hat or scarf!:shocked:

Current Igland catalogue, page 64 shows the most recent version of the GR-20 with feet attached. They've changed the color and the upper jaw is now red, instead of black.
And for those interested in winches, page 6 shows my 4001 on the back of some green tractor....full description on page 11.

Link: http://www.igland-as.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/igland-49eng.pdf

Found another link which shows the GR-20 AND has a video showing a 'grab plate' with teeth on it which bolts between the lower legs:Igland GR 2 Grapple • Peak Equipment
Vid link, also on page link above: Igland GR2 Grapple - YouTube

 

[Gordon Gould]

Good report Coyote. Question for you: Do you happen to know if the extension teeth for the Igland GR-20 will fit the Frost Bite and give it the same advantages or are there some differences in the hole spacing/size and or tine shape ?? Thanks

gg

 

[Coyote machine]

Good report Coyote. Question for you: Do you happen to know if the extension teeth for the Igland GR-20 will fit the Frost Bite and give it the same advantages or are there some differences in the hole spacing/size and or tine shape ?? Thanks

gg

Thanks! I don't know if the Frost Bite even has the holes in the lower jaws arms for the 5" extension 'feet', but I could ask my neighbor if you'd like and we might be able to match them up, if they do exist as to location/etc.? Let me know if you'd like me to inquire of him....

Here's a vid of a GR-20 owner's use, showing the red extension feet at the bottom of the lower arms being used when grabbing brush pile...

Another happy client just trying the... - Peak Equipment NZ


I did happen to catch in the video, (in my earlier post above from yesterday), of the GR-20 Igland grapple that there is a toothed grab plate that looks pretty beefy thickness of steel that would help a LOT IMHO to grab things like rocks and anything else that might fall between the lower jaw arms when trying to lift the load, for instance a rock that is too small to be caught by both lower arms.

I believe it was the poster with 2 Kiotis and 2 grapples, XCGreene, that might have said his came with the grab plate, or a similar jaws 'cover' plate? It could have been you too, I just don't recall who said they had one but wasn't using it or didn't bolt it on. I'd like to get more of a description of that piece to see if it is the same item as what is shown in the vid as the grab plate?


BTW, I can't find a GR-40 Igland grapple anywhere. To XCGreene, can you detail for us what the dimensions are, weight, etc. of the GR-40 you have?
I can't see how it is different from the pics in this thread from the GR-20, which weighs (approximately)320#s and has a jaw opening of +/- 40".

When I did find a 'Sundown branded product' it's first pic was of an Igland grapple, the other pics were of it's own brand, Sundown?!
To my knowledge Igland and this Sundown product are NOT made by the same company; but I could be wrong, if things have changed somehow as to who is making what for whomever....

I'm trying to determine who is making these look a like, almost identical to Igland products. I suspect maybe the Frostbite or the Sundown 'brand' is a Chinese or somewhere else's copy of Igland's original design but I can't be sure. NOT knocking any products here; just trying to figure out what is going on with these almost identical items and where they're coming from/ what the pricing is, etc.
Any insight would be helpful...


TIA,

CM

 

[Gordon Gould]

I would like to know if they would fit. I would have to get them from Middlebury I think. Almost a 3 hr ride each way to see. If I knew they would fit I could have them shipped. I would not have asked about the dimensions but you said it was just across the road. If it is any problem at all don't worry about it I will find another way.

The Frost Bite is manufactured in Europe. One of those small, little heard from countries. I forget which one but it starts with L. Eastern Europe I think. There is a tag on it stating the country. If it weren't down in the woods I would go look. I will tomorrow if it stops raining.

gg

 

[Coyote machine]

GG, and crew at TBN,

Here's hopefully a pic of a Frostbite grapple - it looks from what I can see, once I posted the link below, and checked to make sure it was working; that there are front arm holes drilled to fit extension feet, like Igland provides on the GR-20. Whether the hole spacing and contour of the lower arms are the same as Igland's, and whether Frostbite can or does supply these optional parts I have no idea. I suppose one could buy the extension feet from an Igland US reseller and bolt them up to the Frostbite, BUT I'd want to know the'd fit before laying out $150 or more clams....

http://nebula.wsimg.com/e7a72d5ae91...15FC011954CB889C8&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

I can't find but one 'manufacturer'/distributor(?) of the Frostbite branded grapples, in ND, and their site says 'sale price' all the time, from what I've seen, of $1595 for the last year or more....

Hope this helps.....

Hey, GG, I just saw and read your post above. Here's a link to the ND site that sells the Frostbite. It includes their contact info/email etc. so they might be able to tell you if the feet are available for it. If not I can still contact my across the road neighbor to see what I can see. We're sorta rivals; him some tractor that's orange, but not a Kioti like mine- ya know what I mean?!:laughing:
I'm guessing you might do better finding out if the feet would fit via the distributor(s), 'cause the fitment is pretty specific and if there are variations in the metal's cut, etc. I'd hate to tell you yes they'd fit without knowing for sure - but if you can't find out from the links I've provided I'll go recon for ya!:thumbsup:

Contact Us

BTW, I bought my Igland GR-20 from Hendy, now Mtn. Valley Equipment in Rutland, and I see now they too are selling the Frostbite; they may have dropped Igland line, I don't know. Their main branch IS in Middlebury.

The country you're looking for is Lithuania, I believe?!
Stops raining- HA! That's funny!:laughing:

 

[Coyote machine]

UPDATE:

Here's what I found out today as to the history of the GR-20 and similar log grapples.
Originally Franz Guard, (sp?) of Lithuania, made the GR-series of Grapples for Igland. Then Frost Bite came along, made in Astonia.
According to my source, the Frostbite have a few improvements, like 10 bronze bushings where the Igland has none. And, the Frostbite beefed up the Tee area where the cylinder attaches at the backside of the unit. And the QA plate is 8 mm vs. Igland's 6mm, which equates to a 50% increase in resistance to bending things like the QA plate.

Now don't get me wrong, the guy who told me the above also said my GR-20 made for/by Igland a number of years ago would probably last me a lifetime; and I keep it greased, and run it on my 40 HP Kioti Diesel, not a 100 HP monster 'real farm' tractor.

And as far as running the extension feet on either brand WITH a grab plate across the lower arms, it COULD be done, but it was pointed out to me that doing so would restrict the upper jaw from being able to clamp down on the log/rock, etc. one would want to hold securely in the jaws, UNLESS the log were large enough in diameter that the grab plate wouldn't be an issue as to getting a good clamp on the log in question.

So there it is, both brands are excellent, and Igland grapples are no longer available in the US at this time; so Frostbite is what you will find if looking for a 320# log grapple that has a opening height of 40-42 inches for around $1,500 ballpark.

Hope you find the above useful! :thumbsup:

 

[John_Mc]

... I also have the Igland model 4001 PTO driven winch and it too is amazing what it can haul, especially when a clamshell snatch block is attached to a nearby tree; it doubles the pulling force to 8,000#s!

A snatchblock attached to tree won't double your pulling force. You need to attach it to the load, run the cable through and attach the hook end back to your tractor or to a nearby tree.

 

[saxnbees]

I just received a Sundown GR40 grapple and I think I can add a little information here. The Sundown GR40 has a faceplate that states made in Lithuania by Igland. My guess is the GR40 is a re-branded Igland GR20.

For those interested, I measured the bolts that attach the foot extensions. I measured that the extensions add just over 5" in length. The bolts appear to be 5/8" bolts spaced apart 2.75" center to center.

I am waiting for my rock plate to come in but I have the extensions. I imagine both the extensions and rock plate could be mounted at the same time with longer bolts but I will not know if that makes sense until I have both and try things out. As far as the rock plate restricting the closing of the thumb on a log, I don't think that is going to be an issue. I don't know for sure, but if you examine videos of the grapple in use, it appears that the thumb is designed in such a way that it closes just inside the rock plate allowing for full movement of the thumb. But if you have a rock on the plate, the thumb will probably catch it and squeeze it between the thumb and plate.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Thank you both for the dimensions, Luke...... and sax........

Seemed like the Inland/Sundown extension teeth would fit my Frost Bite grapple so I mail ordered a set. The holes lined up good as expected but I had to do some very minor grinding to relieve some interference with the side piece of the Frost Bite jaw. The bolts they sent were also a tad short. Maybe the Frost Bite jaw is a little heavier - don't know.





gg

 

[Mikejeakins]

Hey Gordon can you do a video of your tractor using your grapple?

 

[Gordon Gould]

Hey Gordon can you do a video of your tractor using your grapple?

Sure I can do that. Just give me a couple days. What in particular do you want to see ???

gg

 

[Mikejeakins]

You working in the woods with it. Moving logs etc.

 

[saxnbees]

Here's a rock I picked up using my new Sundown GR40 grapple. I didn't even know the rock was there because it was covered with dirt but I went too deep trying to pull up a ground juniper. Next thing I knew, I had a big rock partially out of the ground and had to finish the job so I wouldn't have a rock sticking up. Now I have to get some fill to put in the hole!