Grapple width. Same as bucket or narrower?

[swnoel]

Are you running narrower than your tractor? How much?

I've been investigating purchasing a grapple and have come to the conclusion that most people buy grapples way too big! Who really needs a 60+" grapple to pick up rocks or logs? If you only need it to pick up brush piles my question is how many brush piles are you picking up? Maybe it would make more sense to have bought a chipper. Where are the 24" to 48" grapple manufactures? Stump grapples come close but most are way too long for my application, but I understand they are designed for stumps. Instead of reducing the weight of 55 to 60" grapples maybe they should manufacture narrower grapples that would work great with sub and compact tractors. Maybe some of the manufacturers can pipe in and explain why they don't offer narrower grapples.

 

[screamin400]

Maybe I should back off to a 66". I am only looking to do storm cleanups and not sure what I will run into. I am sure there will be an occasional run into the woods to clear them also.

 

[Peter 315]

I would get the 66'' Its not like a dirt bucket ,Your picking up brush and trees ,You dont want to be running over the brush anyways, 66'' will work fine:thumbsup:

 

[Sysop]

My tractor has a 72" bucket, but I went with a 54" grapple. Extra manuverability in the woods is nice, but not my primary reason for going narrow. The primary reason I purchased my grapple was to grub out some of the larger stones that are poking up in my fields. If I went digging around with a 72" grapple, I'd be tearing up lots of extra ground. 54" is pretty much ideal.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Any grapple beats no grapple.
Do you need the narrow grapple for maneuvering in tight spaces and how often are you in such spaces.
Are you trying to clean up wide areas and do not want your tractor running over brush, thorns, trash, etc. then a wide grapple works well.
Since weight is not a issue. If your not working a lot in tight spaces then it would seem a wide grapple would be more versatile.
If after using it a while you find that you made a horrible mistake in getting a wide grapple, keep in mind its not usually that difficult or expensive to make them more narrow. Snip snip and your done. Making it wider is a lot more difficult.

 

[darmstrong2319]

When I get chance that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to cut my 66” grapple down to 48”. To many times I need narrow and never had a need for wider. I do some storm clearing and work in the woods also doing clearing. Everyone has different needs and need different size grapple that’s why so many choices but any grapple is better than no grapple.

 

[Igizzzmo1]

i love my grapple. I use it almost every day my job allows me to be home to be on my tractor.

 

[swnoel]

When I get chance that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to cut my 66” grapple down to 48”. To many times I need narrow and never had a need for wider. I do some storm clearing and work in the woods also doing clearing. Everyone has different needs and need different size grapple that’s why so many choices but any grapple is better than no grapple.

That's my point... why don't the companies building them make them narrower! I hope some of the ones lurking around here come up with something that is more suitable than a skeletonized unit! Decreasing the size of a stump grapple would also be nice!

 

[screamin400]

I am thinking maybe I will back it down to a 66. 3" on each side does not sound like much but with the length of tractor with grapple and rear weight it could make a difference in getting around I guess.

 

[RichM752]

My bucket is 72". I bought a 72" grapple to "cover tire width". The only problem I had with it was transporting to job sites. I sold the 72", bought a 60" and the 60 fits inside bucket for said transporting. Also, I believe the 60 provides more torque when digging rocks/roots out. Not to mention less strain on loader arms. As far as amount of material in each bite, I see no difference. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.