6500 - Need grapple w/QA

[swiftboot]

I have a loaner grapple from my dealer and its due back next week. I am seeking suggestions from those with similar tractors to get the best fit for a grapple. The Markam welding root grapple sounds like the ticket, but there are others out there. Any help with selection and approximate cost would be appreciated. The loaner i have now has a lot of "play" and sometimes comes disconnected if in reverse with a load down low. Is this normal or should the attachment fit tighter in the QA. Thanks, chuck

 

[Maine_Polack]

To unattact is not normal. On an bucket that I added a QA to I had this experience. The bottom of the bolt that latches the implement to the loader was not hitting the piece of metal (around the opening), that is supposed to hold it there. I had made it about 1/2 inch too long. Easy fix.
I have beett the heck out of this bucket, digging, uprooting trees etc., and it has never become unattached.

The attached pic shows two things. One - the type of grapple I have. It is very strong. I can lifted a full load of 16' logs, (softwood), and load them for trucking. I use loaded rear R-1's and the rear gets light, but I am not goin' any distance. I don't raise it high until the last moment.

I purchased this type because I thought it would be the versitale for me. I intend to make a work platform that will fit on the forks. The grapple arms will be strong and stable side rails. Another use I envision is to acquire two more forks, (the salvage yard is on watch for me), and with four forks it will make a good brush/whatever, rake and transport. I use it for brush now and it is amazing the amt. I can get on it. As I load I compress the pile periodicly, with the grapple arms.

I have also used it to add lots of material to a burning pile. Each load was like a commando raid. Had to consider the height and width of the fire burning, wind etc. Then raise high make a run toward it, get over the fire, dump it on, and reverse the heck outa' there before I get caught by the enemy/flames. Kinda makes your heart beat a little faster. It is fun to see how large a load I could dump cleanly and still escape unscathed. It really is fun...I mean it!

The second thing the attached pic shows is how mine did come unattached as I was building a burn pile. The reason it got this way is because the operator forgot to put the bolts down to hold things together. I gave him a pretty good talking to. It's kinda funny, he only shows up when something goes wrong...

 

[Maine_Polack]

This picture shows another use for the forks w grapple. While the grapple arms do not remove easily, they do raise fairly high, and the space between them allows a four foot pallet with ease.

What I did not like about them:

42" tines. I would get the longest I could, 4' or better, even though the grapple arms would not reach to the tips of them. Visibility is the big problem. Unless I have a spotter, chances are 75% that the pallet is going to get chrunched one way or thoher, or I will be diggin' some dirt when trying to get under a log etc. If things were always on level footing, it would be fine. But outside this is somewhat hard to locate.

The hoses were too exposed and there was no "backboard". I soon remedied that. Don't seem to have a pic. Maybe tomorrow, if I can d-ice it.

They are made by Horst welding in Canada. Good place, I think. I a couple of hoses that were tight against rather sharp corners. They sent new ones quickly.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Swiftboot, this http://www.rootgrapple.com/hdgrapple.html is what I have, and it has been very useful. It is reasonable in cost and seems to be quite strong. Good luck in your search, Brian /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[swiftboot]

thnaks for the reply. That is one of the grapples that i had been interested in. Reading the 'fine print' in Markams website makes me think they are referring to this company. I havent priced markam's yet. How does the fit suit you and what kind of tractor do you have it on? thanks, chuck

 

[swiftboot]

Thanks for the reply. Your explanation of the thing coming disconnected is exactly like mine has done. It appears when i do get one i will have to mod it some if it doesnt fit well. I will need something where the lower tines can dig thru the dirt to up root smaller trees as well as grapple. Aalso have many "bull holes" in pasture that i can dig/push dirt into if i can get penetration with the lower tines in addition to the normal pile and grab and carry. Thanks, chuck

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Swiftboot, I have a <font color="blue">7520 </font> <font color="red"> Mahindra </font> . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif My grapple is the 81" heavy duty one. Click on my user name and my profile will show some info about me. Go to the PHOTO section of TBN, search for 7520, a few pictures should come up. 1 of them has the grapple in it.
Let us know what you end up with.
Brian /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Maka]

Hey Brian. Not meaning to hyjack the thread but I saw your website and realized you are in the vacinity of Dudleys Bakery. Beautiful area. I went up that direction all the time.

Julian Apple's, Dudleys etc. I lived in Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch and Poway and do miss the area once in a while. I still would not trade it for No. Idaho however.

Maka

 

[Maka]

Grapples are so varied. We use the Borgford grapple. you can see them at Borgford I like the ones posted already but check out Borgford if you get a chance.

Maka

 

[swiftboot]

Thanks to all who responded. After some more research i believe the loaner i have is a Worksaver with a one piece top grapple. I prefer the longer, beefier lower tines of the Worksaver for soil penetration but when i get mine i will get the two-piece top grapple. thanks chuck

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Swiftboot, just curious, when you run your loaner grapple through the dirt, how deep are the tines into the ground while you run along? When I am clearing smaller bushes with mine, I have the bottom tines at about 10-15 degrees down towards the ground about 6-8 inches under the surface. This allows me to cut off the roots under the ground and with 3' of tine I can do this many times before I need to dump the load. I understand that you may not need to do this at your place, just letting you know one of the ways that I use mine. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Brian

 

[swiftboot]

The depth kinda depends on the ground level when i am attempting to cut the roots under ground. ie one side may be deeper than the other, but the length of the tines (without the flukes) is about 14 - 15 inches before the first crossbrace on the lower rake stop any further penetration. Of course i dont run it that deep, but try to get it down at varying angles as deep as possible depending on the task. It works great for getting under a root system of small trees and then lift. Also use it to loosen up packed soil around bull holes and then flatten the rake and use the first crossover/brace to help push the loosened soil dirt into hole. Actually the bucket will be better to fill and level the hole once the dirt has been loosened and boogered up into the hole. As i earlier mentioned the loaner (worksaver) has a one piece top grapple which according to the website as been discontinued. This one seems that it will fit my needs better than the fluked raked as it appears that the flukes would limit my depth without using an extraordinary amount of power. After moving many limbs and tree trunks, i know the two piece top will be far superior. The worksaver has a "shoe" for the first few inches that is about one and half inches wide, and then narrows to about one inche before finally attaching to the approximately one half inch windth part of the tine. I have found one online for 2850, but add to that shipping, so have no idea of total cost. Thanks, chuck

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Swiftboot, thanks for responding, I like to know how other people use their implements. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Brian