ADD-A-Grapple ??????

[Dan Lamb]

Hey Gentlemen ,
Have been looking at the grapples for a year and have made a choice on a Wildcat grapple , but I see the add-a -grapple advertisements from some company痴 products-attachments do any of you guys have one what痴 your pros - cons have not seen any posts on them , Thanks , Dan

 

[oosik]

I'm not familiar with either brand. Checked out the web site for both. Add-a-grapple is a bucket grapple. Wildcat is a standard grapple. Either choice will require added hydraulics. Either a third function system or extension from your rear hydraulics - if your tractor has this.

There are advantages to both. The add-a-grapple uses and keeps the bucket. The Wildcat eliminates the weight of the bucket and gives added lifting ability.

I have a heavy duty grapple( Land Pride SGC 1560 ) and WR Long third function on my M6040. Since I installed the grapple five years ago - I've never changed back to use my bucket.

I have never heard anybody on TBN say that their choice was wrong or didn't work as they expected.

There are really HD grapples, such as the one I have, and there are lighter grapples. They all have their place and function.

A suggestion - whatever you decide - look for a unit that has grease-able joints. Properly maintained they could extend the grapples useful life.

If you go with a standard grapple - look for a unit that will connect easily with whatever connection system is currently on your FEL.

Check carefully on overall grapple weight vs strength. Extra heavy grapples may not necessarily mean extra strong grapples.

Remember - the heavier the unit you choose - the less you will be able to lift. My Kubota M6040 with grapple.

View attachment 635397

 

[oosik]

BTW - whatever you choose - consider the added protection by modifying your OEM grill guard. Sticks, stobs & limbs have a nasty habit of damaging your grill, radiator or battery. This is my modified OEM grill guard.

View attachment 635400

 

[nybirdman]

I added a Green's Machine Thumb and tooth-bar;works well for me.Doesn't open as much as a full grapple but very useful and less expensive.The Thumb is easily removed by four bolts.Most expensive part was the third function.
Adding a grill guard is also advised.

 

[oosik]

Give you some ideas on cost.

Heavy duty Land Pride SGC 1560 grapple( 60" wide ) --- $3175

WR Long third function valving system ------------------- $1195

These are 2014 prices and include the cost of dealer installation.

 

[ptsg]

If this is indeed for the Branson 2400, which is a SCUT, a 60" heavy duty grapple might be a bit too much.

Those WR Long kits seems awful expensive. You can get a 12V solenoid valve and a subplate for about 200$. A couple hoses and fittings, you could do it for 400$ maybe.

I spent about 180€ (200$) for the entire hoses, fittings and QDs for my homemade loader.

 

[slantsix]

I also have the "Thumb" by Greens Machine. Shop Online It works well for me. It's an add on grapple, you bolt/weld a mounting bracket to your bucket, the grapple can be removed from the bucket with a couple of pins leaving only the bracket on your bucket. Cost is around $400-$450 depending on size.

Since you have a smaller machine, pay attention to the weight of whatever attachment you buy, as an attachment that is too heavy will quickly eat into your lifting capacity.

 

[TractorGuy]

Give you some ideas on cost.

Heavy duty Land Pride SGC 1560 grapple( 60" wide ) --- $3175

WR Long third function valving system ------------------- $1195

These are 2014 prices and include the cost of dealer installation.

This is the exception. The other end of the grapple spectrum would be an MTL or similar and home brew diverter or reroute rear remote.

I have less than $1500 in my home brew diverter and MTL grapple. The grapple I bought is too heavy for a lightweight tractor but I don't think you could tear it up with 80 hp.

I think the thumb to add on a bucket can be had for less but it's usefulness will depend on your need. If you don't have a quick connect bucket I see a bucket thumb as the easiest solution.

 

[oldnslo]

on my 2400H I built my own thumb style grapple for approx $350 in parts. Tines are ripper teeth from by box blade. Cylinder is 1 1/2 bore by 6 inch stroke I had the diverter (not shown)so this is not included in that price.

 

[oosik]

No doubt about it. There are ways to go that are DEFINITELY less costly. And, for that matter, an 820# grapple like mine, might set the Branson right on its nose.

My point being - there are unlimited choices. Don't hang your hat on any one brand or model.

I looked at grapples for over a year before making my decision. There WAS a grapple manufacturer just a bit north of me - ANBO. They would make anything you wanted as long as it was engineeringly wise and structurally sound. This company is now closed.

I choose Land Pride because it was sold, serviced and backed by Kubota. I've found that Class 2 implements or equal will last me longer, work better and function perfectly on my Kubota M6040.

Yes, Class 2 implements will cost more. But sometimes you will actually get what you pay for.

 

[ericm979]

It seems like the bucket sides would limit the ability to pick up stuff longer than the bucket width. I use often my grapple for logs. I only put the bucket on when I need to move dirt.

Everything Attachments makes some nice grapples in different sizes. They're not cheap but they're not $3k, and they are well made. I'm happy with mine. I'm running it off a rear remote with the valve on the fender next to the loader joystick. When I get around to it I'll make my own 3rd function.

 

[LouNY]

My grapple is on a rock bucket, while it is handy and usefull it is not one that I would recommend,
I believe the root rake or brush style would be a better choice.
When I am picking up logs or large rocks I have to run the curl function most of the way down and actually get the tines rolled back past vertical for the grapple teeth to get to grade level and curl under whatever I am lifting.

 

[TractorGuy]

on my 2400H I built my own thumb style grapple for approx $350 in parts. Tines are ripper teeth from by box blade. Cylinder is 1 1/2 bore by 6 inch stroke I had the diverter (not shown)so this is not included in that price.

I need to copy this idea on my backhoe. Nice job!

 

[Dan Lamb]

Thanks Gentlemen for the feed back - appreciate it,
Yes my 2400h is a smaller tractor. 24hp , I have been looking for over a year because weight and load lift is my main concern , the 48” Wildcat is at 300lbs , not my absolute choice just yet but it has the longer tines at the bottom for brush and debris,do like the EA 50” also at around 300 lbs with removable tines which puts it at 275lbs probably better quality than the Wildcat but 600$ more , and I do know “ya get what ya pay for” so what’s a guy to do , thanks guys for your replies always interesting, Nor Cal Dan - Oh ,BTW go 9ers , that’ll open a can

 

[oosik]

Dan - one thing that has always weighed on many of my final decisions. Who is going to instal this do-hickey and where will I get service. Yes, I have purchased a few implements from afar - tooth bar for my bucket, etc. But this I installed myself and I really doubt the tooth bar will ever need service.

The local Kubota dealer gave me a fair price on the Land Pride grapple, WR Long third function & installation. By looking at my post #5 you would not guess that. However - his final package price saved me over $1000. Mostly on the cost of installation.

I do not know the intricacies of hydraulics and realize that I probably could have never installed a grapple & third function myself.

"A man has got to know his limitations" - - Dirty Harry.

I know you have an excellent field to choose from. "Choose wisely, grasshopper......" - - Kung Fu Master, Po

 

[Xfaxman]

on my 2400H I built my own thumb style grapple for approx $350 in parts. Tines are ripper teeth from by box blade. Cylinder is 1 1/2 bore by 6 inch stroke I had the diverter (not shown)so this is not included in that price.

I need to copy this idea on my backhoe. Nice job!

Back many years ago when I had a backhoe, I used two ripper teeth clamped to the boom, for a fixed thumb:

Only had to drill one hole in each ripper.

 

[dirtfergy]

Give you some ideas on cost.

Heavy duty Land Pride SGC 1560 grapple( 60" wide ) --- $3175

WR Long third function valving system ------------------- $1195

These are 2014 prices and include the cost of dealer installation.

December 2019 price for my Armstrong Ag Mini 60"grapple and Branson 3rd function was 1000.00 dollars. Dealer installed
I wanted to get an EA grapple but money was a problem. So I took a chance on this one and its been great! Hasn't bent, broke or deformed.
I have dug up and pulled stumps, moved 24" cir logs, and cleared brush for parking areas. Its been a good tool for the money and I have no regrets.

 

[goeduck]

December 2019 price for my Armstrong Ag Mini 60"grapple and Branson 3rd function was 1000.00 dollars. Dealer installed
I wanted to get an EA grapple but money was a problem. So I took a chance on this one and its been great! Hasn't bent, broke or deformed.
I have dug up and pulled stumps, moved 24" cir logs, and cleared brush for parking areas. Its been a good tool for the money and I have no regrets.

Thanks a good price and you saved a mint over EA pricing. :thumbsup:

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Wow. I would expect the Branson 3rd function alone to be more than $1K.

 

[Branson Bob]

I'd love to hear everyone's (particularly those who have a grapple) opinion about bang for the buck.

I would have to buy the third function and the grapple and I've gotten very good at picking up brush piles and logs with my pallet forks. Besides brush piles, logs, and rocks, what else do you use the grapple for? Do you guys think a grapple is a good value?