Grapple for 5240 Kubota

[Buppies]

I am considering purchasing a grapple to aid in clean up but do not know what size or type to get. One can read about them forever but first has knowledge is best. So I'm asking what do I need and how would you spend my money?

 

[Degolyerent]

Loflin Fabraction in North Carolina, they are very well built and designed for commercial use.

 

[murphy1244]

What do you plan to do with it? Clean brush? Dig up roots?

 

[EverythingAttachments]

This recent thread shows my grapple pick, and the tractor is pretty similar to your's. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/320982-new-ea-grapple-my-l5740.html
Travis

 

[oosik]

I have a Land Pride grapple - SGC 1560, its 5' wide - bought thru my Kubota dealer. They installed the joystick hydraulics also. I guess its considered a rock grapple - I use it for moving rock, moving large trees, brush and rough grading/smoothing of areas in my pastures. It wasn't cheap - grapple, $3175 & purchase and installation of the WR Long third function valve was $1200.

After I pulled the shanks on my roll-over box blade thru a particularly rough area in one of my pastures I used the grapple to back drag thru this area and gather all the sod & grass. I raise the collected material and can shake almost all the dirt out of it before removing it to a pile. Saves a LOT of time and back breaking work.

The overall width of the grapple is 63.5 inches - the width of the tractor front tires is 67 inches. I decided I did not need a grapple to be wider that the front tires and so far its been a correct decision. I don't grapple along side fences, buildings etc where a wider grapple might work better.

I'm still learning to use it "gently" - I didn't really understand the crushing power the grapple had at first. I haven't damaged anything yet but the ability to do so is sure there.

The things I took into consideration were: curved teeth on the bottom or flat bottom, spacing between the teeth, width, single top or split top, local purchase or purchase from a distant dealer, heavy duty grapple or light weight grapple. I chose the rock grapple with the curved bottom teeth because that's what Land Pride makes and I've found that this unit picks up brush just fine. I went with the 6" spacing on the bottom teeth so it will pick smaller rocks but still let the dirt fall thru. Again LP only makes single top and I wanted local dealer service to be available. I got the heavier grapple - I don't want the thing bending & twisting as I use it. Some of the rocks & chunks of tree I pick & move are right at the upper limit of the overall units ability.

 

[Buppies]

What do you plan to do with it? Clean brush? Dig up roots?

Just brush mainly but could get into roots rocks later

 

[94BULLITT]

I recommend a 6' EA wicked root grapple. If you click the link to my youtube in mysignature I have some videos of mine in action.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

A second on the EA Wicked Root Grapple. The price is right and I haven't bent or broken it.

I've sure put mine to use both as a "scoop" and precision tweezers.

 

[Buppies]

Thanks to those who responded . Will check this out in more detail

 

[94BULLITT]

I probably should add that I like my Wicked grapple because it is lightweight so you can lift more and it is heavy duty. I like that is has 2 lids for clamping uneven loads. The grapple is definitely in my top 3 attachments that I use the most, I may use it the most.

 

[TractorLegend]

Have you considered the Rake Shop in Florida? No crossbar can be helpful up front if you want to rip things out of the ground.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

With no crossbar serving as a depth gauge, wouldn't the grapple dig too deep and stop a compact tractor in it's tracks?
Travis

 

[davrow]

With no crossbar serving as a depth gauge, wouldn't the grapple dig too deep and stop a compact tractor in it's tracks?

Travis, I don't think that would be a problem in soft soil, you can hold the bucket at the level you want.

The bigger problem is that the Rake Shop grapple is really heavy. Wonderful if your tractor can lift it... but too much weight for mine. Otherwise I really like the design.

Not that I'm saying a cross-member is bad, I'll probably end up with an EA. Just that lack of one is not bad, either.

 

[smitesmash]

You adjust the depth by adjusting the angle of the teeth, shallow angle == shallow depth. Steep angle == deep depth.

 

[94BULLITT]

I would be more concerned about bending the tines if they did not have a crossbar.

 

[TomSeller]

I like the deep penetration style with no crossbar. The grapple needs to be designed for it with proper gusseting and sized for the tractor to prevent bending. As far as digging in, yes they can do that when not intended but a little practice prevents that. If it happens, you just back up and go at the load with less angle. My grapple with a cross bar has bent teeth and my deep penetration one does not.

 

[JimP]

I have a Kubota 5240 cab and 66 inch Versatec style (flat bottom, single ram top) grapple. I've used the grapple extensively for the last couple of years clearing land, much more than the bucket. I ripped the cylinder mount off the frame, its pictured in an old thread. My feeling is this high stress area needs to be 1/4 inch. No bent tines. A single clamp has never given me a problem. If I could change anything I would pick a narrower grapple, maybe 48 inch. In our uneven ground one side always seems to hit bottom before the other side can pick up. Be careful of scooping brush with a grapple. I have had narrow branches and trunks go through the grapple toward the radiator. I haven't had a problem yet but adding some screening to the front guard is on the project list. Good luck. Jim

 

[JRL305]

I'm shopping for a grapple for my B3200. I have a LA504 loader with the "pin style" quick attach adapter. I'm looking for something small that will fit between the dense forest that I am working in and need something a little smaller that my 60" bucket. Everything I see is skid steer type attachment and I don't need another "adapter". Has anyone found a decent brush grapple that will attach via "pin type" mounts?

John
KD4FTA

 

[k0ua]

I'm shopping for a grapple for my B3200. I have a LA504 loader with the "pin style" quick attach adapter. I'm looking for something small that will fit between the dense forest that I am working in and need something a little smaller that my 60" bucket. Everything I see is skid steer type attachment and I don't need another "adapter". Has anyone found a decent brush grapple that will attach via "pin type" mounts?

John
KD4FTA

John, I am not saying it does not exist, but you are going to find it hard to find a pin on grapple. You could probably modify a SSQA grapple to pin on,.. But lets talk seriously here. Pin on is a Pain in the keister, and I mean a big one. Have you practiced taking on and off your bucket a couple of times?.. It sucks in my opinion. And then finding a grapple made to those spec's will be difficult. Not that there aren't places that will make it for you, or you can do it yourself, but do you have the time and patience to hook and unhook it, possibly several times a day as you need grapple and bucket both at times for some jobs.

When I had my Kubota L3400, that came with pin on, I converted it to SSQA, and that was the smartest thing I ever did with it.

Of course, these are just my opinions so take them for what they are worth.

73

 

[94BULLITT]

I'm shopping for a grapple for my B3200. I have a LA504 loader with the "pin style" quick attach adapter. I'm looking for something small that will fit between the dense forest that I am working in and need something a little smaller that my 60" bucket. Everything I see is skid steer type attachment and I don't need another "adapter". Has anyone found a decent brush grapple that will attach via "pin type" mounts?

John
KD4FTA

I would convert the tractor to SSQA then get a 50" wicked grapple for it.