Grapple Bucket on 3720

[Michael_Porter]

Anyone have any experience using a grapple bucket on the 3000 Twenty series tractor? Or with a 4 in 1 bucket? Looks like it would be useful for moving down wood when clearing trails but I wonder if it's practical on something as light as a 3720.

 

[jcmseven]

Michael,

I do not have personal experience with this, but my neighbor just traded a 4410 on which he had a WR Long 4:1 bucket. It did just fine on that tractor and really seemed to add to its versatility. I do not think the 3720 would be too light to consider this option, or a grapple bucket. His mid frame JD logged nearly 3000 hours with that set up and he liked it enough to get another when he recently traded for a 4320.

John M

 

[Michael_Porter]

Another use I am thinking of is using one of these grasping buckets to reach up, grab a dead branch and break it off by backing up the tractor or just by raising or lowering the FEL.

I am planing to use my 3720 cab tractor to make and maintain walking trails through the woods. I'm thinking this may be an down and dirty way to help maintain clearance for the cab. Also, one could pickup and move downed limbs easily.

Any advice about which to get, the grapple or the 4 in 1 bucket?

 

[gates]

It depends on what you are going to use the bucket for. Each one has its highlights. If you are going to do brush clearing, tree work, or demo work the grapple is the way to go. If you are doing dirt work, grading and some misc. clearing get the 4 in 1. It will still grabe a pile of debris, just not as effectively as the grapple on larger stuff.

Do you have the SCV's for the buckets?

Ron

 

[jcmseven]

Michael,

My opinion, if you can get only one, is the 4:1. It would have a lot more general use advantages than would a grapple. Yes, you could do the task you mentioned withthe 4:1. The word on the street is the JD 4:1 is not as heavily made as is the WR Long. The Long bucket is fully compatable and is really nice. I would take a look at it.

John M

 

[Michael_Porter]

Ron,

Yes, I have ordered the extra SCV to go with the hydraulic angling kit for the front-mounted blade for snow removal and a heavy duty regular bucket.

From the pictures, the grapple looks like just the ticket for moving a pile of branches or grabbing a large limb.

 

[Michael_Porter]

John,

But since I'm already getting a regular bucket and a front-end blade, that should take care of the loading, scraping, and blading functions. It would seem that the grapple would have better grabbing capability.

But mind you, I'm just looking at pictures. The grapple looks like it would grab something up high, like a branch, better than the 4 in 1. However, it also looks like it couldn't close as well on a small object as the 4 in 1 could.

I wonder if the 4 in 1 bucket can rotate far enough backwards to use it's clamping action when reaching up?

 

[Michael_Porter]

John,

Thanks for the tip about WR Long. I Googled their web site and am enjoying studying the pictures. Their Root Rake Brush Grapple looks very interesting and it's now made in small sizes for compact tractors.

http://www.wrlonginc.com/rbg.htm

http://www.wrlonginc.com/photogallery/RBG-8.JPG

 

[BloomingtonMike]

Wich model are you looking at for the 3720? Also if you get quotes let us know.

 

[Michael_Porter]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Which model are you looking at for the 3720? Also if you get quotes let us know. )</font>

My guess is the RBG2 - 60. I've e-mailed the company for their recommendation and a local dealer. I'll post their reply and any price quote.