Grapple Sway my grapple decision. Homestead/CTA

[CFar45]

Sorry for the long post….

I’ve intended to get a grapple for my Kubota LX3310 since day one, and have searched the options extensively. Only reason I haven’t purchased is “paralysis by analysis”. Just can’t decide.

I know the “rake” style grapples are very popular among CUT owners with generally lighter weight and increased dump clearance. However, I feel that the “scoop” type grapples (with longer, horizontal bottom tines) are better suited to my purpose. Granted, this is the only style of grapple I have experience operating.

90% of usage will be gathering/moving/loading brush piles (tree tops, grape vines, dead fall, etc.), moving logs and firewood. Maybe occasional rock moving. I’m sure I’ll find other uses. I don’t envision much need for digging into the ground to dig out roots, rocks, etc.

I’ve looked at many brands to include EA, precision mfg, vernig, RK, etc. I know the EA wicked rakes are very popular, and I think I understand why, but I just don’t think they best suit my purpose.
If I did end up with a rake style grapple, I think I’d like one with longer, more curved/forward pointing tines to slide along the ground rather than dig into the ground. I seem to have more occasion where I’d like not to disrupt the ground while picking things up. In fact, I’ve been “getting along” pretty well with forks for a year or so, but it’s time to get a proper grapple. (Not interested in adding a grapple to forks)

So, I’ve narrowed down to these two choices:
Homestead implements precision root grapple (55”/302#)
And:
CTA extreme grapple (50”/210#)

At this point I’m leaning toward CTA. Before I pull the trigger…

My questions for the field are:
1. Considering the above, is there anything I’m missing that the “rake” style grapple will do that the “scoop” type won’t??

2. Considering these two choices, is there any major dis/advantages to either one for my purpose that I may have overlooked?

3. To Anyone with experience with these specific grapples: what do you love/wish were different about them?

Talk me into/out of one of these options.

Thanks all. I appreciate your informed opinions.

 

[oosik]

I think your decision on "types" is valid. I choose a rock/root grapple. I have little to no brush. My land is all open stands of Ponderosa pine and fields of bunch grass. Either grapple would function, for you, well.

Consider this - do something like I've done - BEFORE - you add a grapple. Sticks, stobs and limbs have a nasty way of finding your grill, radiator and battery. Expanded metal added to my OEM grill guard.

 

[oosik]

If you keep your load low( knuckle dragging) you can move remarkable objects. The rocks - 2400 to 2600 pounds. The chunk of pine trunk weighed 2400 pounds when I moved it( it was green). Just be VERY CERTAIN of your path and keep it LOW. I have, on occasion, moved both rocks and logs weighing over 3000 pounds.

Just keep any load within the limits set by your FEL weight charts. Load distance forward of the pivot pins and distance off the ground.

 

[CFar45]

I think your decision on "types" is valid. I choose a rock/root grapple. I have little to no brush. My land is all open stands of Ponderosa pine and fields of bunch grass. Either grapple would function, for you, well.

Consider this - do something like I've done - BEFORE - you add a grapple. Sticks, stobs and limbs have a nasty way of finding your grill, radiator and battery. Expanded metal added to my OEM grill guard.
View attachment 738783View attachment 738784

Great point. I have a nice grill guard all lined up.

 

[old and tired]

CFar45 said:
CTA extreme grapple (50”/210#)


The grapple you listed is for John Deere, you don't have a tractor listed in your profile but state you have a Kubota LX3310; that company doesn't make a 50" SSQA.

Did I miss anything?

 

[Smokeydog]

I move lots of trees and brush and prefer the long bottom.
If you carry firewood the long bottom has better place to stack. A grapple full fills my in-house wood rack.
Like how the round cross bar controls the depth of rake to manage ground disturbance. Better landscape maintenance tool.

Can also carry posts, used to carry chainsaw and gas or long tools easier.

Any grapple is better than no grapple.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Another consideration for the more 'hybrid' type is the Granite Grapple (pdf) sold at RK. I bought the 60" one last year and so far its held up great clearing, piling and back dragging.

https://imgur.com/AkC2Ecj

https://www.ruralking.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=granite+grapple

 

[CFar45]

CFar45 said:
CTA extreme grapple (50”/210#)


The grapple you listed is for John Deere, you don't have a tractor listed in your profile but state you have a Kubota LX3310; that company doesn't make a 50" SSQA.

Did I miss anything?

They do make a SSQA 50” grapple. It’s listed on their site and I’ve been in contact with them about it. But…The 50” SSQA link on their web page brings you to their JD 50” info. Sorry for the confusion.
CTA Grapples

 

[CFar45]

Another consideration for the more 'hybrid' type is the Granite Grapple (pdf) sold at RK. I bought the 60" one last year and so far its held up great clearing, piling and back dragging.

https://imgur.com/AkC2Ecj

https://www.ruralking.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=granite+grapple

Great call Midniteoyl. I actually really like the design of the RK 60” grapple and it was my top choice at one point, but the weight scared me away. With a small tractor (LX3310) I’m really trying to be weight conscious.

Can I ask what you run yours on and how you’ve found the weight to be?

I considered the RK 54” as a lighter optionbut really much preferred the design of the 60”. I contacted the manufacturer who sent some additional specs and diagrams of 54” vs 60”, which only confirmed that I wasn’t so interested in the 54, but still liked the 60.

 

[CFar45]

Another consideration for the more 'hybrid' type is the Granite Grapple (pdf) sold at RK. I bought the 60" one last year and so far its held up great clearing, piling and back dragging.

https://imgur.com/AkC2Ecj

https://www.ruralking.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=granite+grapple

Great call Midniteoyl. I actually really like the design of the RK 60” grapple and it was my top choice at one point, but the weight scared me away. With a small tractor (LX3310) I’m really trying to be weight conscious.

Can I ask what you run yours on and how you’ve found the weight to be?

I considered the RK 54” as a lighter optionbut really much preferred the design of the 60”. I contacted the manufacturer who sent some additional specs and diagrams of 54” vs 60”, which only confirmed that I wasn’t so interested in the 54, but still liked the 60.

Darn it!! Now I’m reconsidering the RK 54”…. This is my problem….

 

[Smokeydog]

54” EA wicked. Perfect for this size tractor. This is how we carry firewood to woodshed, then wood shed to house.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Great call Midniteoyl. I actually really like the design of the RK 60” grapple and it was my top choice at one point, but the weight scared me away. With a small tractor (LX3310) I’m really trying to be weight conscious.

Can I ask what you run yours on and how you’ve found the weight to be?

I considered the RK 54” as a lighter optionbut really much preferred the design of the 60”. I contacted the manufacturer who sent some additional specs and diagrams of 54” vs 60”, which only confirmed that I wasn’t so interested in the 54, but still liked the 60.

Mines on a Kioti CK3510 with ~1800lbs lift capacity, so a little more than yours, but the grapple itself is only ~400lbs @60" and my tractor doesnt seem to notice. Its made from AR400 or AR450. You are not gonna find many 60" grapples that weigh any less enough to make a difference and still be strong (*).

(*) There's at least one vid on youtube showing an early adopter of the Homestead grapple lid bending (while pulling on a stump) and Homestead refusing to help him out. Right afterwards the warning against using it to pull appeared on their site. Take that for what you will.

 

[pgrimes]

Your scenario is exactly the same as mine. I wanted a light wt. but strong grapple to suit all my all-needs. I bought the EA with standard straight-out bars with a single top hold-down lid.

 

[pgrimes]

Buy the EA compact wicked grapple and get to work. Review the videos that Ted has done on this grapple. He tries to tear everything up. In an older video he looks at the exact grapple he used in this video and he had only bent one of the back guards that are not the structural parts of the grapple.
I bought a 60in grapple similar to this one and have always regretted the extra expense I went to rather than buying this one. 50in will do everything that a 60in will do. Mine is 5 years old and has been put to the test. I love it, and I could not do the things I need to do without it! My wife agrees with that statement.
I posted a comment on the EA website but it may not be use today.
There are many manufacturers out there, bu

 

[CFar45]

Mines on a Kioti CK3510 with ~1800lbs lift capacity, so a little more than yours, but the grapple itself is only ~400lbs @60" and my tractor doesnt seem to notice. Its made from AR400 or AR450. You are not gonna find many 60" grapples that weigh any less enough to make a difference and still be strong (*).

(*) There's at least one vid on youtube showing an early adopter of the Homestead grapple lid bending (while pulling on a stump) and Homestead refusing to help him out. Right afterwards the warning against using it to pull appeared on their site. Take that for what you will.

Thank you for the heads up. I agree… the 400# range seemed to be the number where things got more rugged, fewer compromises. When I asked about the RK 60” on another site, many discouraged that kind of weight for my tractor, so I went shopping for lighter….

 

[CFar45]

View attachment 738826

54” EA wicked. Perfect for this size tractor. This is how we carry firewood to woodshed, then wood shed to house.

Thanks for the reply. Initially, I thought dual lid was the way to go, but again, got scared away by weight. I think my FEL capacity is close to yours. I assume you’re moving logs with it too. No problems with that weight? Might need to reconsider… oh man… here we go…

 

[CFar45]

Maybe my first question should’ve been: Is a 400# grapple too much for my LX3310?
These are the loader specs. I have it very well ballasted.

I really appreciate everyone’s input… but it’s going to send me shopping again.

 

[Midniteoyl]

The number you're gonna want to go wit is the @19.7" forward spec since all your loads are actually forward of the pins (most use 24" forward, so even less capacity). I agree with the others here and think a good 48"-55" light weight grapple is more in line with what you need. My 2 top choices would be the 54" Granite Grapple or the 55" EA Wicked Root Grapple, personally. Both are light @ ~240lbs but tough. Stronger than your tractor can dish out, anyways, and you don't have much lifting capacity to waste on a bigger heavier unit. All it really means is maybe having to cut a log in 3 instead of 2.

I think the Granite Grapple will run $100-$200 or so more after shipping, but that shipping is right to your door instead of the local terminal (which is over an hour away for me). You do need to use your tractor and forks to get it off the truck though, no lift gate service. I actually just backed the truck up and 'tipped' the grapple into the back as I didn't have the tractor yet, since the grapple showed up in 3 days instead of the 4-6 weeks quoted.

But either grapple will do you good and give you a long service life. No worries.

 

[JCoastie]

I have a 2020 60" Homestead Pinnacle Root grapple, the only weak spot I see is the lid, though I have not bent mine. I actually knocked my loader askew using the grapple and nothing happened to the grapple. Homestead realized the lid was a weak spot though and made it stronger in 2021, so I have no problem recommending it, in fact I was using it for about 5 hours today cleaning up moving trees and brush on my property.

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[CFar45]

The number you're gonna want to go wit is the @19.7" forward spec since all your loads are actually forward of the pins (most use 24" forward, so even less capacity). I agree with the others here and think a good 48"-55" light weight grapple is more in line with what you need. My 2 top choices would be the 54" Granite Grapple or the 55" EA Wicked Root Grapple, personally. Both are light @ ~240lbs but tough. Stronger than your tractor can dish out, anyways, and you don't have much lifting capacity to waste on a bigger heavier unit. All it really means is maybe having to cut a log in 3 instead of 2.

Right… so circling back to light weight being high priority and my original options… What do people think of the CTA? For the SSQA It’s only 210# (274/255# for EA), grade 80 steel (same as EA 50”) and about $400 cheaper than EA (shipping incl.) Not that the $400 makes a huge difference… I don’t mind paying more to get more.