Grapples for Bx23s, or thumb?

[wyowy]

buying a BX23S for brush work. I have a MF 1740M but it's a little large for the areas I will be working in. I am researching grapples to see what will work best with the BX. I dont have the 3rd function hydraulics yet and I understand they are difficult like everything else. One option I'm looking at is adding a thumb to the bucket? it would have to be stationery at this point. As to grapples I've seen good things about the Precision 322 mini havent tried to source anything yet or check prices. I'd appreciate any comments. Thanks

 

[loggin]

buying a BX23S for brush work. I have a MF 1740M but it's a little large for the areas I will be working in. I am researching grapples to see what will work best with the BX. I dont have the 3rd function hydraulics yet and I understand they are difficult like everything else. One option I'm looking at is adding a thumb to the bucket? it would have to be stationery at this point. As to grapples I've seen good things about the Precision 322 mini havent tried to source anything yet or check prices. I'd appreciate any comments. Thanks

I am not sure that one can substitute the other. Grapples are great at moving brush and all sorts of things. Just be careful that you pay attention to getting some guards for the front end and possibly the underside depending on how aggressive you want to get. Branches are amazingly good at poking through things like grills and radiators and even grabbing onto things like hydraulic lines. Just a word of caution.

Backhoe thumbs are worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. Even if it is a mechanical one. Mechanical thumbs are easy to put on, especially if you already have the mount at the top of the arm. They are also relatively cheap and no need to add hydraulics.

I would suggest if you are going to get the grapple that you also get the mechanical thumb!!

Just my 2 cents.

 

[wyowy]

thanks. can you recommend an after market thumb or company I can contact.

 

[nybirdman]

I have had a Green's Machine Thumb for ten years or so;that with a tooth-bar make a decent "poor man's grapple".Doesn't open as far as a full grapple but weighs less.Best thing I ever purchased for my tractor.Still need the third function(I also use mine for a snow-plow).

 

[JWR]

I am wondering a little about what you are doing... I can understand that the 1740 may be a little too large and unwieldy for whatever you're into but I am skeptical about getting a BX to do the job. Relatively few people have a grapple on a BX. Landpride makes some for the BX but these are NOT using skid-steer-compatible SSA quick connects.
You may well know a LOT about the BX23S and have solid reasons for going that way. You may already have committed to getting one.
I've owned (or bought for family) 4 BX machines and to me they are a little light in the loafers for grapple work of any substantial kind.

Can you describe a bit more about your intended grapple work and limited space, etc. ?

Overstepping my bounds (and certainly with little/no knowledge of your situation) I suggest:
1) Find a subcompact tractor just a tad larger than the BX23S that has 2 things: A common and often found remote hydraulic set / third function. And a SSA quick connect for the grapple and bucket and whatever else you put up there.
2) The BX23S connections for buckets and grapples are proprietary one-brand stuff for Kubota unless you found an exception. While I love Kubota I would not want that circumstance.
3) There are a lot of good little machines (several brands including Kubota) that are just a little bigger, typically available with the SSA loader interface, commonly used with third function goodies on the FEL, etc. To me you are better off that way.

Your MF1740 being a 40 horse and weighing 3400 to 3800 lbs and 71" wheelbase versus a BX23S with a 55" wheelbase, 1600 lbs... just wondering if the 1600lb guy will do what you want done with a grapple. Lift capacity is around 400 to 500 lbs with the BX loader. Not a heck of a lot. OBTW, I use a grapple on a larger MF tractor and find it so useful for so many things ... brush and debris and logs and etc.... you already have a grapple for the MF1740?

End of my wanderings...good luck with your venture.

 

[wyowy]

You have provided lots of great info here. I have been wanting the BX for several years for cleaning out some ditches, miscellaneous small space jobs. I do not have the BX yet but have purchased it. I've had the MF for about a year and half and have been very happy up until had some kind of filter issue that was covered 100% warranty. It was away (waiting for parts) for 5.5 months. the snowblower was major but also, moving dirt rocks etc. Its a little big and heavy to get into the area where I want to clean ditches. the area is next to a pond very rocky with lots of dead cottonwood trees. The BX seems like it will be easier for smaller jobs but mostly the small backhoe...ditches, planting trees, digging holes etc.

I have 17 acres, 8 of those hay field which I get someone else to put up. I thought the BX was a good option for small house jobs and also desirable enough that I could sell if didnt work. I have been looking for a grapple for the MF and havent pulled the trigger. the grapple for the BX was just a thought...an since I havent received it yet, im exploring options.

The MF was my first tractor and im an old dog learning new tricks so not very aggressive in my projects.

Anything you can add please let me know. I appreciate experience of others. any recommendations on implements as well.

 

[dougtrr2]

I have a BX24 and it is ideal for me. Just remember to look at the weight of your chosen grapple. If it is being added on to the bucket, then you are reducing your lifting capability by that amount. If it is a quick attach, compare the weight of the bucket versus the grapple to see what lifting capability is lost.

Doug in SW IA

 

[2manyrocks]

The specs I saw were that the QA loader lift capacity is 613 lbs. A very light grapple is going to be 150-200 lbs, and I don't even know if any of them actually fit the BX23s.

Need to be extremely careful messing with ditches because of the potential for a rollover.

 

[wyowy]

The specs I saw were that the QA loader lift capacity is 613 lbs. A very light grapple is going to be 150-200 lbs, and I don't even know if any of them actually fit the BX23s.

Need to be extremely careful messing with ditches because of the potential for a rollover.

yes. thanks for that. I've been studying the area. it's not a huge ditch but is a little marshy. relatively level so will figure out how to straddle. it's more of a trench. I have the 12" bucket and wish it was the smaller version. thanks.

 

[wyowy]

I have a BX24 and it is ideal for me. Just remember to look at the weight of your chosen grapple. If it is being added on to the bucket, then you are reducing your lifting capability by that amount. If it is a quick attach, compare the weight of the bucket versus the grapple to see what lifting capability is lost.

Doug in SW IA

im getting much good feedback and seems like people agree the BX is a little light for much of a grapple. we still have snow and wind here so it's going to be awhile before I can see what the winter has left. thanks

 

[loggin]

thanks. can you recommend an after market thumb or company I can contact.

Doing a quick google search yielded a number of thumbs out there and you would need to find one the right size. You could maybe even have one custom made for not too much I would think. They are not very complicated. You do need to change the pivot pin of the bucket to a longer one to accommodate the thumb hinge point. And I would stay away from the clamp on type of thumbs since they can sometimes create damage.

I would not go too much smaller than a 12 inch bucket. Depending on soil type you may find that a smaller bucket just gets plugged up and then you have to use a spade to clear out the bucket every time. Kind of defeats the purpose.

I hope this helps!!

Here is a link you can check out.

Factory Mount Barracuda BH Thumb

www.bxpanded.com

 

[JWR]

You have provided lots of great info here. I have been wanting the BX for several years for cleaning out some ditches, miscellaneous small space jobs. I do not have the BX yet but have purchased it. I've had the MF for about a year and half and have been very happy up until had some kind of filter issue that was covered 100% warranty. It was away (waiting for parts) for 5.5 months. the snowblower was major but also, moving dirt rocks etc. Its a little big and heavy to get into the area where I want to clean ditches. the area is next to a pond very rocky with lots of dead cottonwood trees. The BX seems like it will be easier for smaller jobs but mostly the small backhoe...ditches, planting trees, digging holes etc.

I have 17 acres, 8 of those hay field which I get someone else to put up. I thought the BX was a good option for small house jobs and also desirable enough that I could sell if didnt work. I have been looking for a grapple for the MF and havent pulled the trigger. the grapple for the BX was just a thought...an since I havent received it yet, im exploring options.

The MF was my first tractor and im an old dog learning new tricks so not very aggressive in my projects.

Anything you can add please let me know. I appreciate experience of others. any recommendations on implements as well.

Good clarification -- understand the desire for the BX with the backhoe and it will be a great tool for you I expect. I would still think you are better off with the grapple on the MF1740 rather than the BX. Better capacity, not having to do relatively rare and somewhat expensive things to the BX, etc. By the way, I have found that a grapple need not be all that wide. One much narrower than your wheel spacing tends to be more maneuverable and does every bit as much work. There are a lot of good grapples on the market. Do you have the SSA interface on your MF1740 loader? Not sure about your part of Wyo but I was able to find a source for a good grapple in driving distance from me here in the East where I could just pick it up in my pickup truck, avoid shipping, get a good price, etc.

 

[bcp]

Rake on loader, or long reach rear rake for cleaning ditches.

Landscape Rake on my FEL

I need to do some regrading close to our foundation before I dig some new drainage trenches, including ones to dump the downspouts into. The mucky clay fill is kind of a pain to back drag with the FEL bucket, being so damp with all the rain we've been getting. I have to get this project done...

www.tractorbynet.com

and

Bruce

 

[w900b]

The

SGC05 48 inch grapple is made for and works perfect on bx tractors. I have had one on my bx2360 for two years and works awesome. The third function valve is an easy install to do it yourself with a bit of mechanical knowledge​

Seach youtube for bx with grapple

 

[2manyrocks]

Rake on loader, or long reach rear rake for cleaning ditches.

Landscape Rake on my FEL

I need to do some regrading close to our foundation before I dig some new drainage trenches, including ones to dump the downspouts into. The mucky clay fill is kind of a pain to back drag with the FEL bucket, being so damp with all the rain we've been getting. I have to get this project done...

www.tractorbynet.com

and

Bruce

That's a pretty good sized tractor operating on flat land.

Rather than straddle his ditch, the OP might consider renting an excavator that could be run parallel with the ditch and not have to try to straddle anything.

 

[JWR]

The

SGC05 48 inch grapple is made for and works perfect on bx tractors. I have had one on my bx2360 for two years and works awesome. The third function valve is an easy install to do it yourself with a bit of mechanical knowledge​

Seach youtube for bx with grapple

Generally a helpful and interesting Youtube video. The one mistake in it is that the speaker is NOT knowledgeable about metals and equipment. He refers to "snapping off" the tines multiple times. No such thing is possible. All such implements are made from mild steel and NOT from material that would ever 'snap.' Bend YES, snap, NO.

 

[w900b]

It is made of AR400 Not mild steel.

ar400 will resist bending to the point that no shops local to me will do it. its also brittle and would likley break

 

[civilian]

Look at mytractortools.com for a small grapple for your BX. Contact info for Jery Dunn is on the website. His website is outdated. He would rather work up items instead of a better website. I have his Tach-N-Go along with the old style fixed forks on my BX2230. They work great. He knows the limits of the SCUT loaders and builds items accordingly. He shows a few different arrangements for grapples. Others on TBN have his stuff also. Jon

 

[HP942]

Look at mytractortools.com for a small grapple for your BX. Contact info for Jery Dunn is on the website. His website is outdated. He would rather work up items instead of a better website. I have his Tach-N-Go along with the old style fixed forks on my BX2230. They work great. He knows the limits of the SCUT loaders and builds items accordingly. He shows a few different arrangements for grapples. Others on TBN have his stuff also. Jon

Checked out his site, yes it’s a bit lacking….but the grapple looks great. Doe anyone have one?

 

[civilian]

Checked out his site, yes it’s a bit lacking….but the grapple looks great. Doe anyone have one?

You want to call Jery Dunn (site owner) and ask him for references. I think he does well via word of mouth. Jon