Grapple for DK45SE

markandkristi · Mar 19, 2015

I am looking into getting a grapple for my 2014 DK45SE and have a couple questions. First is since I have the one set of rear remotes from the factory would I need another set or is this sufficient? Also would I need an extra valve for controlling or would I just use the main valve for lifting and tilting and then the secondary for opening and closing? What size grapple is recommended for the tractor I have, I have seen alot of people on the attachment forums running 48"-54" but havent specified tractor size. Im kind of 50/50 on the one lid or two lid as I can see advantages for both. I would like to keep costs down as much as possible but Ill spend whatever I have to to get a reliable grapple and setup. I have looked at Titan, EverythngAttachments and a couple other sites. Thanks for any help.

Mark
HHC Diesel & Machine

k0ua · Mar 19, 2015

The one rear remote is sufficient. I did extend the lever on mine to make it easier to operate joystick and remote lever without as much hand movement . see my threads about doing that and running hoses and putting QDs on the torque tube of the loader.

k0ua · Mar 19, 2015

As to size and type that is up to you. Call everything attachments and ask about their new single lid wider opening line.

markandkristi · Mar 19, 2015

Nice writeup on the lever lengthening. I think thats what Im going to do. Still trying to decide which size and all I want.

markandkristi · Mar 19, 2015

I dont want something too heavy that it hinders use so thats whats got me looking into the smaller, plus someone had mentioned the smaller ones are better at digging like rocks out better than the wider ones. I think the 48-54" range would be just fine. Want opinions on what people have.

kspring61 · Mar 19, 2015

I went thru the same decision process a couple months ago and ended up with a 60" EA grapple after talking to them. It's built well and light for the size. I also ended up adding the 3rd function kit and installed myself. I know some people use the rear remote and use the control for that, but after using the 3rd function switch mounted right to the FEL joystick, I can tell you it's much easier to work the tilt and lid and the same time. I posted a thread with pics on the 3ed function install. It's very easy to do.

Msamt · Mar 19, 2015

I spent weeks figuring out what size to get, and when it came time to go to the auction and a 66" was up,for bid I jumped on it. Really wanted a 50", but so far no complaints, most used tool I own

k0ua · Mar 19, 2015

Msamt said:
I spent weeks figuring out what size to get, and when it came time to go to the auction and a 66" was up,for bid I jumped on it. Really wanted a 50", but so far no complaints, most used tool I own
View attachment 417284

It wouldn't be hard to "whack attack" that 66 inch grapple with a saw and chop out a chunk on each end, bevel, and weld it back together, grind it smooth, and repaint. I think even a "hack" welder like me could do it..:laughing:

8NAcres · Mar 20, 2015

I just went through this as I needed one for weekend brush cleanup and such on my 42 acres and the bucket is horrible for this duty. Settled on a Titan 48" grapple and am in the process of getting the hoses and connectors for the rear remote for it. I am a research kinda guy before I buy anything - the consensus was a smaller light weight grapple is best for anything short of using it for a business. Lighter lets you lift more, smaller lets you get into tighter places. I opted for the single close and I have not used it but I know a guy who has a dual close and he bent one jaw - the single close looks more robust. I am happy with the Titan, it shipped the same day and I got it 3 days later, free shipping to my business, and no tax. It looks beefy, it is heavy (465 lbs. or so) and I can't imagine what I could use it for to tear it up. I must say though I was a little surprised at the cost of hydraulic hoses and fittings - might want to price this out now so you know what everything will cost up front.

Hilbilly · Mar 20, 2015

I too just went through this decision making process for a grapple I built. My original plan was to build a 66" wide one with 2 lids. I was talked out of that by some of the members on this forum and ended up going with a 48" wide on with a single lid. I also installed a diverter valve for the third function. Some of the reasoning for using a narrower grapple was for digging rocks, which I thought I would never do since I have an excavator for that purpose. However after having used the grapple for a couple of weeks, I have indeed used it for digging out rocks and some were very big. It's just easier to use it, than to go and get the excavator and drive it to the location. I was glad to have the narrower grapple for that purpose. I have also used it to grab a few trees by the end and pull them out of the bush. I think it is better to have a single lid when doing this, so that the load is centered on the grapple. With a dual lid you would be grabbing the tree on one side of the grapple and the entire load would be on that side.

On the flip side there have been times where I think a wider one with dual lids may have been better. Like when picking up piles of stuff (other than branches which cling together in a big mass anyways) like small roots that have been raked up with the grapple and pushed into a pile. I end up with a lot of soil mixed in with the roots. This stuff doesn't cling together as well as branches, so a wider grapple with 2 lids could pick up more material.

So far I've been very happy with the narrow grapple and have found a LOT more uses for it than I thought I would. I also like having the single lid for pulling logs out of the bush. Although a wider one with 2 lids may better for some things I think I will stick with the narrow one and single lid for a while. My single lid is only 24" wide and if I find that I'm doing a lot of work that involves things like the root / soil pick up, I will simply make a much wider single lid that I can mount on the narrow grapple, in place of the 24" lid that is on it now. It would be a simple matter to make the extra mounting brackets and then I would have the option of using the narrower lid or the wider one. I doubt I would make the grapple wider though.

In the end I think it depends on what you plan on using yours for.

Here are some pics of mine. The last pic shows the knob I made with the diverter valve switch in the top of it.

k0ua · Mar 20, 2015

you see, that is the beauty of having a welder and fabrication skills. If you don't like the way something works you can just modify it! And by the way you did one heck of a good job on that push button. You could sell those.

Msamt · Mar 20, 2015

k0ua said:
It wouldn't be hard to "whack attack" that 66 inch grapple with a saw and chop out a chunk on each end, bevel, and weld it back together, grind it smooth, and repaint. I think even a "hack" welder like me could do it..:laughing:

No way, I got used to the width, amazing the stuff ya can grab onto

Msamt · Mar 20, 2015

What James said on the pushbutton, thats fricking awesome!!!!!

murphy1244 · Mar 20, 2015

Msamt said:
No way, I got used to the width, amazing the stuff ya can grab onto
View attachment 417373

You might have a problem rehooking your hydraulic lines back up as it is now under pressure. Unloosen the fitting and let it out.

Hilbilly · Mar 20, 2015

One thing I forgot to mention was that with the narrow grapple on my tractor I cannot see where the tines are relative to the ground unless the FEL is raised and the tines are angled down. With a wider grapple I could look at the outside tines and see where they were. I'm getting used to it though.

Whatever you decide on make sure to post pics here.

Murph that grapple of yours is the exact same one I was originally going to buy. It was on a Craigslist add near me but by the time I decided I wanted it, it was gone. I looked at new ones and they were a lot more so I decided to build one. I'm glad I did too because I really enjoyed the whole build process.

markandkristi · Mar 20, 2015

Hillbilly, I really like that setup of yours. I wonder if just going 54" would kind of be the best of both, still narrow but wide too, and be more visable as opposed to the 48". Did you build yours or if not what brand is it. I really like the diverter valve setup too.

markandkristi · Mar 20, 2015

Hillbilly I misread yours so it is built.

Msamt · Mar 21, 2015

murphy1244 said:
You might have a problem rehooking your hydraulic lines back up as it is now under pressure. Unloosen the fitting and let it out.

Oh I did alright, that photo was taken right after I got the boulder unjammed from the jaws. My first embarrassment of biting off more than I could chew. Shut down, relieve pressure, reconnect, wait for the ground to firm up so I could fill the mucky trenches I made with the tractor. Both my eldest son and wife found me out, but they were gentle on my mistakes...

Hilbilly · Mar 21, 2015

markandkristi said:
Hillbilly, I really like that setup of yours. I wonder if just going 54" would kind of be the best of both, still narrow but wide too, and be more visable as opposed to the 48". Did you build yours or if not what brand is it. I really like the diverter valve setup too.

My tractor is a 47 hp Massey and the 50" grapple is only slightly wider than the FEL arms but narrower than the front tires. If your tractor is a little narrower the smaller grapple may be visible from the seat. I doubt another 4" would make a difference for me. My FEL bucket is 72" and I have no problem seeing that. The build was quite an adventure for me and it was thoroughly enjoyed. Here is a link if you are interested. There were a lot of questions asked and a lot of suggestions offered. So there is a lot of information about choosing a grapple but it is a very long thread. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/330358-grapple-1-lid-2-a.html

markandkristi · Mar 21, 2015

Yeah my bucket is 72" also. I finally got to catch up on that thread that had alot of your build in it. If I was setup I would just make my own but I really dont have time to get one going even if I was setup. I am looking at a torch though, found a couple on amazon, a northern welders medium duty and a campbell hausfeld, both are right at $200. Im gonna need a torch anyway but not for a grapple. Im trying to get a shop built at the moment but if I already had that id be set. Anyway I like the look of the EA 54" single lid but man are they proud of it. I can get the titan 48" for under a grand so Im tossing the almost $700 difference around. Even the 60" EA is just a lil more than the 54". Decisions decisions haha. Price isnt really that big of a concern but Ive spent ALOT lately, mostly on wants and the wife is starting to raise an eyebrow but she really wants a grapple too so just gotta decide which one. The titan and the EA are the ones ive seen or heard most about. I know there are other good ones out there just dont have much info. My kioti has around 2700 lb lift capacity so Im trying to stay around 500 or less on weight. I do have some land to clear but the trees arent very big, just thick so beyond that its just moving some brush piles. Havent stumbled on any buried rocks yet but who knows what all Ill be getting into once I get one.