Benefit of 72” (vs 60” or 66”) root/rake grapple?

[Maplechuck]

I’m in the market for a grapple for the Kubota M7060 I’m purchasing (its in queue to get in the shop to get the transmission and valves I want installed .. should have the keys in two or three weeks!).

With a 16.2 gpm implement pump (steering pump is separate) and weight around 8,000lbs once everything’s on it should be able to handle a fairly hefty grapple. Which is good as I’m eyeing som pretty rugged rocks and roots and stumps that'll need to be cleaned up.

I decided against the Landpride model that would’ve otherwise been rolled into the tractor. I didn’t really like it, it wouldnt come til June (so I’d have to pick it up in my truck) and I didn’t like the price they quoted at around $4,300. If I’m willing to wait, I’d rather spend $500 less and get a much higher quality EA grapple.

This led me to look at the more discount online brands like Titan, and specifically their 60” ss root grapple (Titan 60" Extreme Skid Steer Root Grapple Rake Attachment). More than $1k less than the competition, but still gets good reviews.

If I want to stay in the ~800lb range, what is wrong going heavy duty, but 60” instead of 72”? I want to have something beefy that can handle rocks and abuse and will maximize my hydraulics and lift capacity. And is there any issues with Titan generally? The one complaint I see is they lack good customer service, lol sorry, but how do you think they can charge half of what the other guys do and maintain the same level of customer service? You get what you pay for. If customer service is the only thing that’s compromised that’s OK with me.

 

[goeduck]

I have a couple of Titan products, they are decent. I have bought a few things from EA as well. Service to me was about the same. A few years back Titan's fit to the SSQA was not the best but I have never had an issue with that nor have I had a failure. A smaller (meaning lighter) grapple will lift more of course as it itself does not use up lift capacity. EA uses a better metal but unless you really abuse yours there will not be an issue. I think EA is over rated and too expensive myself but they do have many satisfied customers so they are doing something right. They are probably a better product but you pay for that as well. To me a grapple in any form is a fairly crude and basic piece of metal with a few hinges and cylinders. Not worth breaking into the piggy bank over. Just my 2 cents. Good luck and please post pictures.

 

[mikester]

I prefer implements that are at least the same width as the tractor. Better for visibility and clearing obstacles.

Look for the lightest grapple made of high strength steel like AR300/400. The heavier the grapple the less carrying capacity you have. Make sure all your pins have pin bosses, are greasable, and have bolts/locknuts and no hairpin retaining clips anywhere.

I have a root grapple and wish I bought the L-shaped style grapple with two independent clams. Better for brush and logs with more carrying capacity.

 

[fried1765]

I prefer implements that are at least the same width as the tractor. Better for visibility and clearing obstacles.

Look for the lightest grapple made of high strength steel like AR300/400. The heavier the grapple the less carrying capacity you have. Make sure all your pins have pin bosses, are greasable, and have bolts/locknuts and no hairpin retaining clips anywhere.

I have a root grapple and wish I bought the L-shaped style grapple with two independent clams. Better for brush and logs with more carrying capacity.

Yup!
Same width as the tractor, and EA for certain.
If you are going to be messing with rocks, you DO need the EA Hardox quality!

 

[LD1]

Its like asking if a 5' bucket is better than a 6' bucket.

But it all depends on what you plan on doing with said grapple. IF its just gonna be lifting/loading rocks and logs, I doubt you will see a difference, and both sizes will do that.

But if you are using it to bush around brush, rip up ground and roots, you certainly have enough tractor to use the bigger one and cover more area faster. And if you get the L style....it has more volume to lift/push more

 

[Rustyiron]

I'd go with the 6' but be more concerned about the loader handling the tough stuff that you're talking about taking on. I'm fortunate to have other equipment and treat my tractor loader as I believe it was designed for, that is loading loose materials, carrying and light grading and digging, Essentially chores.
Forgive me if your talking about small rocks and stumps, I've just seen too many guys twist up, bend and break their tractor loader thinking that they have an industrial earth mover.

 

[Maplechuck]

Thanks everyone for the input. I greatly appreciate it. Rustyiron brings up a great point that I'm definitely keeping in mind. Tractors are not dozers and loaders are designed to lift, not push.

I do have some stumps, but my plans is to hire an excavator to pop them out, then I'll lift them with the grapple and put them where I want (I've spoken to two, but since it's been radio silence--I think anyone in that line of work, even at small-scale, is insanely busy these days with the real estate/housing and construction boom). Other uses are large-ish rocks (maybe up to 1,000lbs? I really have no idea how much a small boulder weighs), but not "digging" the rocks, only lifting them and placing them else where if they're in the way. I imagine using the grapple with rocks and stumps at most 5-10% of the time. Most of the work I envision will be lifting and moving logs (up to 16' saw logs, but most 8-10' firewood logs), and moving some brush piles around (but not pushing brush/roots around).

As far as the 72" vs 60" I guess what I like about the 60" is I can get a much heavier duty grapple but still keep it in the 800lb range. There's nothing special about 800lbs, but those heavier duty 72" grapples start running 1,000lbs+ which I fear starts limiting lift capacity and making the tractor front-heavy.

I don't really like the L-shaped/bucket grapples. They seem great at scooping large piles of brush and they're a bit lighter (due to lighter steel I imagine) but from my standpoint the clamshell-style looks to be a better fit.

 

[jjp8182]

Unless you need the width to cover the tires (e.g. debris clean up that you don't want to drive over) narrower can be helpful. In fact a log grapple (like Sundown GR-40) may even be suitable.

Just as a note: weight isn't always a good indicator of quality as a high-strength steel vs a low-strength steel can make a difference in both weight ...and price. Though unfortunately not everyone shares what it is they are actually using to make their implements - whether it be regular structural steel or one of the abrasion resistant (AR) varieties (or any of the other numerous alloys of steel). So it's hard to know without actually getting and using it .....and sometimes (depending on the usage/user it may not even make a difference anyway).

 

[Rustyiron]

Maple throwing out weight considerations and discounting the fact that I've not used a "clamshell" type grapple... but in the 18 or so years that I've had my "L" type grapple I've never wished it was the other. Thinking about this, my first thoughts would be that I'd miss having a "floor" for most all of my past use. I have thought that the clamshell would be a little better raking as your boom position would be lower and in my case on a SS, possibly against the boom stops to take the shock loads when hitting something big below the surface.
I'd think there carrying design is highly limited and the "roll back" is still not going to give you much "floor" when carrying low. Your load is entirely dependent on the clamps to make it to your dump/burn area.

 

[goeduck]

I have both L bottom and Clamshell. I use the L bottom more and the clamshell for fine cleanup and back raking.

However to be fair, my clamshell does not have as long of teeth as was posted. Those lower teeth would help grip material