Another grapple thread? Dirt Dog Grapple questions...

[mark02tj]

For the last six months or so I've been trying to figure out what will be the perfect grapple for me. I think I want the clamshell style rather than one with longer bottom tines. I came across Dirt Dog grapples on the web and like the looks of them. Dirt Dog has been around a long time, they make some implements for Bush Hog, it's made in the USA and the folks there seem super nice on the phone. They have a dealer that will sell me a 60" with the deere quick attach for a bit over $1400 shipped.

But I can't find very much on the web or TBN about them. Searching on "Dirt Dog Grapple" turns up 1 or 2 threads. Searching on "Dirt Dog" turns up a ton of threads - most of which relate to someone that has a Dirt Dog box blade listed in their signature! :laughing:

I'd love to hear from anyone that actually has/had one to learn your experiences. At this point I'd even like to hear from someone that knows someone that knew someone that had one! :laughing:

THANKS! :thumbsup:

 

[oosik]

You know Mark - I think its kind of yelling into the dark - its pretty darn quiet out here. IMHO-when buying any kind of implement //having a local dealer that will or has done good by you is a very important factor. I looked for Dirt Dog and could find nothing either except for the link in your post. I have the same situation with a rear cutter. I would love to have a Brown Mfg. rear cutter - no dealers in this part of the world - so I will do without.

 

[mark02tj]

oosik - you're right about yelling in the dark! I can't believe that no one on this site has a Dirt Dog Grapple. I did find two guys on a deere specific site that had them. One guy loves his. The other sold his because because he didn't like the "narrow" top jaw. I like the looks of this thing which is very similar to the Frontier grapple for the compact tractors. Plus the price is about 2/3 of the Frontier.

I understand what you mean about dealer support but what I've been finding is that often times the "dealer" doesn't even realize that they're a dealer for some of this stuff. They've sold one or two items many years ago and forgotten about it. I've found that with several of the manufacturers including WR Long. I called their "local dealer" and he'd never heard of it. I'm not too impressed with my local dealer right now anyway. They're only about 1.5 miles from me which is one of the reason that I bought my used tractor from them. The sales guy was pretty good about returning calls back then. Now, if it's for something that they'll only make $250 on, they're not so eager to return calls. I emailed the sales guy on Monday for a quote, got an email back 24 hours later saying "I will look it up and let you know." (yeah, that's the entire email!) and 72+ hours later haven't heard from him. I might stop in tomorrow to see what's going on. I'd almost rather deal direct with the manufacturer, but I understand why they don't sell direct. They don't want to deal with endless phone calls.

Anyway, none of this has any bearing on being able to find anyone with a Dirt Dog grapple. But, THANKS for the reply!! At least I know someone heard my shouts in the dark!!

 

[NH Mike]

Here are couple links.

Grapples & Grapple Buckets

Kubota M5140 with dirt dog grapple - YouTube

Iowa Farm Equipment -- Dirt Dog Front End Loader & Skid Steer Bucket Grapples

Dirt Dog AGGR60 60" Skid Steer Quick Attach Brush Grapple for Compact Tractors | eBay

 

[jeepguy]

Dirt Dog 60 In. Compact Tractor Ag Grapple - McGee Farm Equipment, Inc.

I bought mine at above link. Very solidly built grapple. It is good at ripping up rocks and roots and contouring dirt. It does what it was made for which is pick up logs and large branches. Add some stout wire fence on the lower basket area and it will pick up a 60" wide pile of wood chips, and then you can shake the chips out pretty evenly on a path or seeded area. I also am able to push pine needles and small pieces of brush into a pile and grapple them since I added the fencing to the basket area. It doesn't pick up rocks large or small very well since the grapple tines are wide apart. A rock grapple or bucket is a better choice for that task. Since I added the fencing I am very pleased with the Dirt Dog 60" grapple. As far as the narrowness of the upper grapple, I think they do that to keep it from getting bent when picking up a log that has for instance a root ball on one end and is narrow on the other. This requires a double grapple which would add weight and expense, and since this grapple is made for smaller tractors they kept to a single center grapple. I am using mine on a Kubota B26.

 

[mark02tj]

From one Jeeper to another, THANKS for the reply, Jeepguy!!

For the time being, I bought a Greens Machine "Thumb" to mount on my FEL. Due to life getting in the way lately, it's still sitting in the garage awaiting some welding and hydraulic work.

I think that a grapple is still in my future though.

 

[super55]

How you guys liking your dirt dogs? I just ordered one up. I was just about to pull the trigger on a frontier grapple but I spec'd out the dirt dog and I think it is the same exact grapple. Size, weight dimensions are all the same. The only difference is the DD is about 800 dollars less.

Weight was a huge selling point for me. I like that it's only 385#. I figure 90% of the work it will be doing is going to be grubbing out Autumn Olive brush and hauling it away. I figured since they are most likely making them for Frontier than there should be any issues with fit and finish going onto my JD 4310.

 

[mark02tj]

Post back when you have had a chance to use your Dirt Dog. Pics would be great too!!

I still havent mounted my Thumb but it is getting closer. Eventually I still want to get a real grapple though. Too many other things demanding my hard earned cash right now though.

By the way, Dirt Dog does not make the grapples for Frontier. I do believe that they do make roll over box blades for Bush Hog. However, my memory might not be accurate on that.

 

[super55]

Wow Im surprised that they aren't making them for frontier The look practically identical. It won't arrive until the first week in november and will still have to install the WR Long selective control valve than its off and running.

I'll be sure to get some pics and hopefully some vids of it. Plan is to use to grub up some invasive species on the property and I have a large brush pile to burn when we get a blanket of snow on the ground.

 

[amigauser]

I am looking at that grapple also. Appears to be the best bang for the buck in a root grapple style grapple that is light enough for a compact tractor. Looking forward to your action pics.