Grapple Another Grapple Thread

[Underdog57]

These look nice, and they bolt on!!



Thumb grapple 36"

 

[k0ua]

George don't be afraid of running hoses from rear to front, they mostly run along the FEL arms anyway, of course you have about 6 foot to thread thru, but they will be over the rear axle and under the floor pan, and will be run more or less permanently and tied up. You will need more quick connectors on the area of the FEL uprights so you can disconnect them when you remove the loader just like the 4 you do now. The price is not too bad, I had about $150 total in my install including all the connectors and hoses and everything.

But of course if the rear remote lever is unhandy, you will want do do the diverter install by installing a diverter valve and using the existing FEL curl/dump joystick control to control your grapple while depressing a button on your FEL control knob. It is a pretty easy install.

My rear remote lever was in a handy spot and I extended it about 4 inches higher to make it even easier to reach without my hand leaving the FEL joystick. Here you see the joystick and the rear remote lever, and the extra quick connects under the floor pan and the quick connects on the front torque tube where the grapple lines hook up.

 

[TomSeller]

I have a Kubota L4400 4wd with the Kubota LA 703 loader on it. I have 1 set of rear remotes. The bucket on the LA 703 attached directly to the loader arms and cylinders with large pins. Not sure how to remove it but it can't be that hard.
.

See page 14, ATI makes a unit to fit your LA703. I believe WR Long does as well. Both are available from EverythingAttachments.com

http://www.preseeder.com/PDF/AttachProductList2010.pdf

 

[N80]

Dave, I may look into that but I came across a thread on another web site that said there was a difference between the LA703 and the LA703A and that Kubota's QA does not fit the plain LA703. The thread was answered by a dealer who said the bucket stops on the plain LA703 arms had to be ground off to make it fit. I'll do some more research.

James, I think for as little actual grapple work that I'll be doing I can start with just using the remote lever on the side. If I find myself doing a lot more then I could re-plumb it later with a diverter.

Edit: James, your hose set up looks great. I think I can do something like that to keep things tidy.

Tom, thanks for the link. I had seen those at Everything Attachments but was not sure if it would have the same issues as the Kubota model. I think I will contact them and see what they have to say. Wonder how much those cost. Sure would be nice.

Brian, I will certainly contact Fit Rite when the time comes.

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll keep you posted. I'd like to do this as I think a real grapple (vs a bucket grapple) would make this cleanup job (logging decks and roads) a lot easier. I can do it with just the plain bucket but it takes a long time and you pretty much just have to shove stuff around where ever it will go not exactly where you want it. I cleaned up a 5 acre thinning job this way a few years ago.

 

[k0ua]

James, I think for as little actual grapple work that I'll be doing I can start with just using the remote lever on the side. If I find myself doing a lot more then I could re-plumb it later with a diverter.

George you can probably develop a "rhythm" whereby you let go of the steering wheel just as you approach the object to be grappled, and drop your left hand to the Rear remote, while your right hand operates the fine final control of the lift/curl to get the grapple placed and then the left hand snaps the lid of the grapple shut and then goes back to the steering wheel.. You may find it works very well once you get used to it.:thumbsup:

 

[nybirdman]

Or to save some money by not going to a SSQA you can go with a bolt on thumb and tooth bar.I have a similar sized tractor ,L4240 and this has been my best addition.Tooth-bar and thumb are easily remove.
I would put the money saved by adding a third function to your FEL.

 

[lutt]

Or to save some money by not going to a SSQA you can go with a bolt on thumb and tooth bar.I have a similar sized tractor ,L4240 and this has been my best addition.Tooth-bar and thumb are easily remove.
I would put the money saved by adding a third function to your FEL.

I thinki this is a excellant idea, I am in the process of gathering up the materials for this, ordered my valve for the 3rd function from Surplus center, I am looking at tooth bars and add on buckit grapples now. A good friend of mine has had both and he thinks the add on grapple is more versitle. I will see i guess. It will make may 4200 with woods backhowe and thumb a lot handier in the woods! what kind is yours? LUTT

 

[nybirdman]

My thumb was purchased from" Greensmachine Thumb",tooth bar from Markum Welding(I don't think they are still in business.)Tooth-bars are easy to find.I had to weld an angle to the top of bucket to get it to fully close the thumb.

 

[mark02tj]

My thumb was purchased from" Greensmachine Thumb",tooth bar from Markum Welding(I don't think they are still in business.)Tooth-bars are easy to find.I had to weld an angle to the top of bucket to get it to fully close the thumb.

I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures of your thumb. Don't you have the one shown in post #11? It's directly from Greens-Machine. I hope they're not out of business - I just bought mine back in June or July. I still haven't had a chance to install it.

 

[lutt]

My thumb was purchased from" Greensmachine Thumb",tooth bar from Markum Welding(I don't think they are still in business.)Tooth-bars are easy to find.I had to weld an angle to the top of bucket to get it to fully close the thumb.

thanks pretty sure this is gonna be my route, I'm thinking the tooth bar would be better for grubbing out roots, rocks and small stumps. I'm sure not having trouble finding toothbars at all, probly gonna get one local. I've been looking online at Idaho equipment and Wr long. Good friend of mine at the local new holland dealership can get me on about the same price. LUTT