Grapple for 1643?

[DC3]

I've got so much dead, fallen, and otherwise damaged trees that I'm going to be chipping soon. I'm going to be ordering my 1643 soon (if I can get any MF dealers to return my calls/emails. Apparently, they're doing so well now, they don't need my business/money. ) and I'll need a grapple to stage and load the trees.

Does anyone know of a good mfr. and model of grappler that would be good for this. I've looked at the thread in the Attachments section, but nothing's jumping out yet.

Thanks!

 

[kennyd]

I've got so much dead, fallen, and otherwise damaged trees that I'm going to be chipping soon. I'm going to be ordering my 1643 soon (if I can get any MF dealers to return my calls/emails. Apparently, they're doing so well now, they don't need my business/money. ) and I'll need a grapple to stage and load the trees.

Does anyone know of a good mfr. and model of grappler that would be good for this. I've looked at the thread in the Attachments section, but nothing's jumping out yet.

Thanks!

Search these terms in the Attachments forum for HOURS of reading:

grapple
markham
wr long
millonzi (now out of business, but there are some great threads about grapples)

 

[dieselfreak]

I've got so much dead, fallen, and otherwise damaged trees that I'm going to be chipping soon. I'm going to be ordering my 1643 soon (if I can get any MF dealers to return my calls/emails. Apparently, they're doing so well now, they don't need my business/money. ) and I'll need a grapple to stage and load the trees.

Does anyone know of a good mfr. and model of grappler that would be good for this. I've looked at the thread in the Attachments section, but nothing's jumping out yet.

Thanks!

You are in Pennsylvania, go see or call Rick Wallace.

http://http://www.wallacetractorandequipment.com/


df.

 

[HCJtractor]

I'll save you lots of time and reading. Get a Markham Welding 48" light duty grapple. I assume your new loader will be skid steer compatible. It will cost less than $1000 and you can get it within a week. Call Melissa at Markham which is in N.C.

Or read hundreds of posts and come to the same conclusion.

 

[jtheise4]

I'm going to be ordering my 1643 soon (if I can get any MF dealers to return my calls/emails. Apparently, they're doing so well now, they don't need my business/money. )

I feel your pain! I just ordered a MF1643 and besides the quality and features of the MF, the main reason I went with that particular tractor was due to the excellent service of the MF dealer. I was looking at JD, NH, and Kubota tractors and only one of the 10 or so dealers I called or visited would give me the time of day. I could not understand that. Guess they were too busy counting their money to take mine!!!!

 

[DC3]

I feel your pain! I just ordered a MF1643 and besides the quality and features of the MF, the main reason I went with that particular tractor was due to the excellent service of the MF dealer. I was looking at JD, NH, and Kubota tractors and only one of the 10 or so dealers I called or visited would give me the time of day. I could not understand that. Guess they were too busy counting their money to take mine!!!!

I just don't get it. I'm TRYING to buy a 1643, but this is like pulling teeth with the MF dealers. Seems many of them don't even want to bother with the effort, unless you go in person. That's hard to do, when you're trying to get quotes from an out-of-state dealer. I guess some think that a phone call or an email to get a price means that you're just a tire-kicker. Sheesh! :confused2:

OTOH, there's a Kubota dealer that's touching base pretty frequently with me, hoping to pull my business away from MF.

 

[DC3]

You are in Pennsylvania, go see or call Rick Wallace.

http://http://www.wallacetractorandequipment.com/


df.

If I were a business and tax exempt on purchases, Rick would probably be my first choice, but since I'm not a business, I'd take a tax hit of over $1,200. We're talking about buying a mighty nice grapple fork with that. So that leaves me no choice, but to buy out of state.

 

[DC3]

Thanks kennyd and HCJtractor. :thumbsup:

I've gone back through some of the Attachment threads. I also touched base with Melissa at Markham (Gator Attachments).

I've also looked at the grapples that EverythingAttachments has. I like the fact that they have vids to see some of the gear in action.

 

[HCJtractor]

I agree, the videos at Everything Attachment are very informative! I never bought anything there, but have lusted after many of their implements.

As far grapples are concerned, realize that what might work great on a skid steer may not be ideal for a smaller tractor. My tractor has a lift capacity of about 2500 lbs. and the one you are looking at probably has less. A really heavy duty grapple built for skid steers may weigh 7 or 800 lbs. so that uses up lots of you capacity. Skid steers are much more powerful than most tractors in lift capacity. Also make sure any FEL you buy has "unversal skid steer" quick connects. New tractors seem to be going to that as universal, but in the past, each company had its own system. I had to buy a $700 adapter because of this. I would not buy a FEL without this feature.

What is the lift capacity of the tractor you are buying? If it is around 2000 lbs., I would go with the 48" light duty or preferably the beefed up version of this made with 1/2 steel and maybe added spacers. This upgrade will cost and extra $400ish. From what I have seen, no one can touch the quality of a Markham at that price.

Then you have to decide how you will control it. The best (and most expensive) is an electric over hydraulic valve (see W. R. Long). The cheapest is running long hydraulic hoses under your tractor from the rear remote and using that to control the top thumb of the grapple. Either work and that is a matter of personal preference.

Without a doubt, my grapple is my most useful implement and the most fun to use. The other day, I was cruising my property on my tractor just killing time and checking things. I came to a place where the trees had pinched down the road. In a few minutes, I pushed them down and uprooted them and carried them off. What fun!! Another spot had a tree down across the road. No problem. Grab it and haul it away. Never got off the tractor and no chain saw necessary!

 

[dieselfreak]

If I were a business and tax exempt on purchases, Rick would probably be my first choice, but since I'm not a business, I'd take a tax hit of over $1,200. We're talking about buying a mighty nice grapple fork with that. So that leaves me no choice, but to buy out of state.

And if you need service, will they pick it up and take it back for you?? Just more things to consider. On the price of the tractor, I would do all I can to buy locally on $30K, what is another $1,200. Have you even contacted Rick? Remember, you are not shopping at Walmart, not all dealers price the same.

df.