granite grapple

[Yallwatchthis]

RK55guy, I initially purchased the Granite Grapple with my RK24 & have nothing but good things to report on its use. I, like you, primarily use it for cutting firewood & it has worked perfectly. Hopefully, I can get the image to upload correctly(not the most tech savvy individual here) but the pic shows a 4' section of red oak that's basically 22" in diameter. As I lifted the tree section with the grapple, the RK24 didn't even "grunt." Hope this helps!https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/asset.php?fid=556478&uid=347838&d=1580438402

 

[heavy hammer]

Pic's didn't work. Would love to see your new grapple.

 

[Yallwatchthis]

Hopefully this works!

 

[dbchaplin03]

Id love to hear from someone in the 50-75 hp range to see how its held up. They sure do save you a lot of time and work. Ive had them in the past on 30 hp tractors and 2 skid steers. Wouldnt own a machine without one thats for sure. I just want to make sure i spend my money on the right one is all.

 

[ParisKy]

DBChaplin03, I have a RK55SC with the 72" Granite Grapple. I have only had it for 6 months, and it is my most used Tool. I love this thing, and it has held up very well for me after moving 40 or so downed trees. I have used it to pull many shrubs, wild briar bushes, etc. I don't think you can go wrong with it. I hope this helps.

 

[gunny0628]

I have the 55Hydro Cab and the grapple. It has exceeded my expectations significantly. I will say that the hydraulics are very strong and touchy. Small movements are very jerky. But, that doesn’t matter much to me because the thing is a beast.

 

[markie61]

I have the same as Gunny - the grapple is great. Has picked up and held onto just about everything I've asked of it.
Reached it's "pucker factor" capacity with this oak round 7+ft across.
Sorry for the sideways-ness...

 

[dbchaplin03]

Markie and Gunny,

Do you guys have the 60” or 72”? Also, have you done a whole lot of back raking with the grapple tines? Here in Ohio we have honey suckle that is invasive and grows like 100’ per year i swear. I have to constantly clear it from the fence lines. I have a Titan Tree and Post puller that works phenomenal to pull trees and bushes out of the ground by the roots but for the new growth, pencil sized up to 1” or so it is very tedious. I’m hoping i can use the grapple and back rake it out of the fence lines and then start spraying them.

The 72” would end up being the same price as the EA Wicked 60” grapple and there are hundreds of people out there with them and very few negative comments. The 60” Granite grapple would end up being about $400 cheaper than the EA.

I wish RK had 10% off coupons like Tractor Supply sends me all the time.. I got one i need to use up before the 27th from TSP.

 

[markie61]

Markie...Do you guys have the 60” or 72”?

I have the 72" - it doesn't weigh or cost that much more that the 60", plus I like having my implements as wide as my back tires.

Also, have you done a whole lot of back raking with the grapple tines?

I have tried using the upper/lid tines like "fingers" to pull stuff out with mixed sucess. It really depends on the tangle of what you're pulling; if it's loose, you almost "comb" in out - but if it's all an interwoven mess, it rips it out by the roots fine (assuming the soil is moist). My best technique for vines is to drive forward with the lower teeth slightly below grade to loosen the roots, close the lid, and back out. For some other growth, the rear edge of the grapple's bottom has triangular "rippers" the catch and tear out vines when back-dragging too.

I wish RK had 10% off coupons like Tractor Supply sends me all the time.

I think you can get 5% off everyday if you get an RK credit card...I do not know if there are exceptions for tractors and/or implements though...

 

[dbchaplin03]

One more question, in the YouTube videos I watched, it looks like the grapple is very slow. Have you guys had any complaints on that? I had an EA attachments grapple years ago that I thought the dual lid grapple was really slow on it also. I assume they used restrictor fittings or maybe just small diameter hoses or something. My other 3 grapples have been very fast and i much prefer that. I often feed fresh cleared overgrowth and trees to a constant burning fire and it’s nice to get in there, dump it, and get out quickly.