Grapple Grapple on a Kubota B2920

TXwoods · May 1, 2013

I want to get a grapple for my 1.5 year old, 300 hours Kubota B2920. I have made a tentative plan and would like to have it checked. I'm hoping for and am open to all comments, advice, criticisms, alternatives, corrections on any part of the plan big or small. For me, this is a very large expense and I want to spend the money as wisely and effectively as possible.

I apologize for the length of this post. I tried to break it up but found that each aspect interacts with the others, that consideration of one necessitated consideration of all.

I discovered grapples about a year ago on TractorByNet and YouTube while exploring the new-to-me wondrous world of implements. I quickly saw that a grapple was the tool I needed for my work in our woods - clearing trails, digging roots, and moving brush into piles. But was my B2920 big enough to make good use of a grapple? IslandTractor and others have convinced me that it is strong enough for a small grapple and that I didn't really need one bigger than 48" anyway.

What type grapple? For my purposes, it looks like a bucket-style root grapple is the right choice, for example, the WR Long OBG2. I set out to find out what small grapples are available and how they compare on cost and weight. A search turned up the following:

Wildkat 48" Mini Econo Grapple - 420 lbs - $900
Titan 48" LW Root Grapple - 500 lbs - $920
Gator 48" Light Duty Root Grapple - 385 lbs - $???
WR Long OBG2 48" - 357 lbs - $1415
Michigan Iron Hound Dog QAG-48-S 48" - 350 lbs - $1445

I read about people who'd had good luck with each of these and a few who'd had bad luck with some of them. For example, I saw pictures of the Wildcat structural failure from a while ago. Maybe they've fixed that now. With the price going from around $500 to $900, I hope so. I also saw many people say one can't go wrong with a WR Long.

For my plan, I've chosen the WR Long OBG2 48".

Next, I needed to figure out how to attach the grapple to my Kubota LA 364 FEL. First, some tractor and FEL specs.

Tractor: Kubota B2920
HP: 29 hp
FEL: Kubota LA 364
Capacity at pins: 952 lbs
Hydraulic FEL flow: 4.7 gpm
Hydraulic pressure: 2000 psi
Hydraulic type: Open circuit

I think I have three choices - pin-on, Kubota B1658 Quick Coupler, and Skid Steer adaptor. I want to continue to use my bucket and in the future, perhaps get other FEL implements such as forks. I figure I'll be changing between grapple and bucket once or twice a week. So, ease of use, added weight, implement modification, implement potential, and cost all come into play.

To test the pin-on method, I took my bucket off and put it back on. My pins have grease fittings on one end and through bolts to hold them in place on the other end. Off was relatively easy. On was not. Lining up the pin holes and the bolt holes at the same time was a bear.

Though it's the cheapest, lightest, and no implement modification, I'm passing on the pin-on method.

Between the Kubota Quick Coupler and a Skid Steer adaptor, they appear to be about the same on ease of use. The Quick Coupler is much lighter with less increase in distance from pins to implement so will use up less of my lift, requires no modification of my bucket, WR Long will put LA 364 brackets on the grapple, and costs less. A Skid Steer adaptor makes the world of SS implements available. Humm..., that's both a good thing and a bad thing.

It wasn't easy to find small grapples but it was even harder to find Skid Steer adaptors and nearly impossible to tell from web sites if they could have LA 364 brackets. Also, forum posts indicated that some of those I found aren't available any more.

Kubota B1658 Quick Coupler - maybe 40 lbs? - $279

Hayspear QA-8297 - 145 lbs - $525
Skid Steer Solutions UA-30 - 104 lbs - $495
Aldomi QA-8297 Universal Adapter (same as Hayspear?)
ATI Tach-All Quick Attach

SS mount plate - 60 lbs or so - $100-$200

I'm leaning toward the Kubota B1658 Quick Coupler.

Hydraulics, the hardest for me to learn. After many hours of study, I think I have the basic ideas - open and closed circuits, power beyond, spools, valve types, couplers - but I still have a lot to learn. To work the grapple, I believe there are two basic systems, true 3rd function and diverter. A true 3rd function makes grapple opening/closing independent of the other two bucket functions while a diverter system shares one of the bucket functions and the operator chooses with a switch which to use at a given time.

WR Long offers both types and the true 3rd function is only $60 more than the diverter. Also, WR Long has a true 3rd function model for my tractor but not a diverter model. It operates with a 3-way switch that's mounted on the loader handle.

Numerous valve kits - $800-$1000
WR Long Electric over Hydraulic Valve Kit - $645

The WR Long 3rd function looks like a clear choice to me.

Should I get a grapple?
If so, which one? Did I miss some choices?
How should I attach the grapple to my FEL?
What's the best system to control the grapple hydraulics?
I've left out shipping costs. Any suggestions there?

Any and all comments are welcome and appreciated.

Stick895 · May 1, 2013

Sounds like you already know the answers: Grapple - yes; WRLong OB2; Quickconnect and WRLong 3rd function. Dont worry about what you missed.

Burtonbr · May 1, 2013

Before finding TBN I didn't know there was such a think as a grapple and after reading about grapples here on TBN I knew I wanted one too. For me in was a luxury option, I haven't found many thing I could have done without one but it sure does make getting things done easier not having to get on and off to chain logs and things to the bucket to carry and load, the best use and what i really wanted one for is cleaning up brush and it makes that job quick and easy.
I was very surprised at how much I can actually lift and haul with the grapple, Huge piles of brush, which don't weigh much but much more volume than without it, and I've picked up logs larger than I thought it would be able to lift or felt comfortable with moving as a whole tree, these little machines can do a lot more than I thought mine would at first.
Keeping it light is important I think, so I chose to add one to my bucket, I liked the way the W.R. long add on grapple mounted so I did mine very similar so that if I need to do something different later on I can remove it if I need to but I doubt I ever will after having it for a couple months now. I hope to do what your thinking also and have one of the quick attach adapters and be able to mount my THUMB grapple to a set of lightweight forks and switch back and forth when needed. The Pin on adapter will be the easiest and cheapest but haven't ordered it yet.
one option you didn't mention is the Thumb from Greens-Machine, they are about $400 but you have to adapt a way to attach to your bucket, this is how I did mine. I run the hydraulics from my rear remotes but plan on switching it to a diverter soon to free up the rear remotes.

I think you'll love having the grapple no matter which one you choose. I sure do !!

You could save a little on the third function with one of these diverters and plumbing and wiring it yourself
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?Item=9-7852

http://baileynet.com/hydraulics/sol...age=ProductDetails&line=SVCC&baileyno=220-934

TXwoods · May 1, 2013

Stick895, thank you for the encouragement.

Dingo Man · May 1, 2013

TXwoods you obviously did some intense research. You ended up choosing the OBG2 which are well made but high in price. You mentioned this would be a big purchase for you, so you would want to get the best bang for your buck. I would suggest looking at the cheaper ones. The design of a grapple can only be tweaked so much. There probably is not much difference between the $1500 grapple and the $1000 grapple so why not go with the cheaper one.

Also if cost is really important as well as weight I agree in looking at the bolt on thumbs as mentioned above. If you want another grapple option also look at North American Implement s. I just ordered their 48" LD grapple. They will also make to order, they added two additional bottom tines for me since their stock 48" only comes with 5. Good luck. You mentioned reading Island Tractor's posts, just keep that up and you will be steered in the right direction.

cal2620 · May 1, 2013

Txwoods I put the W.R.Long obg2 48" grapple on my b2620tlb with the Kubota quick attach and the W.R.Long true third function valve kit. I use my grapple for moving brush and logs most of the time. W.R.Long is a great company to work with and is willing help you in any way they can. Here is some pic of my grapple in uses.cal2620.

94BULLITT · May 2, 2013

For hooking up to the grapple a pin on set up would be a pain. You should go with some type of quick coupler. SSQA would really open up some options for you for future attachments but it may be to heavy for your tractor.

A 3rd function is the best way to operate a grapple. You did not ask it but I like flush face connector on the hoses because they don't make much of a mess when you unhook them.

Another option on the grapple is the EA Wicked Grapple. It is very heavy duty but yet light weight.

Everything Attachments Wicked Root Grapple for Compact Tractors

TXwoods · May 2, 2013

Burtonbr, wow, that's a mean looking attachment - just what a grapple should look like. That's quite a sight on the familiar-to-me, otherwise innocent looking LA 364 with bucket. I can see that it would do the job of moving brush. Currently, I snake a chain or 2 under the brush pile and hook them to my bucket. I get what I think are huge piles and it's a tremendous improvement over picking up brush by hand and loading into a wagon. However, your Thumb would be a big improvement over my chain method. Crawling around on the ground working chains with snakes, scorpions, giant centipedes, and fire ants is not fun.

How did you decide on the Greens-Machine grapple over the WR Long or any other?

For quick attachment, are you thinking of getting the Kubota B1658 Quick Coupler?

Please tell my about your rear remotes. I'm just now learning hydraulics and am anxious to know what I can do on in that arena on my Kubota B20 series. Are your rear remotes what one would use for 3 point hitch top and tilt (hydraulic 3PT adjustment)?

I'm with you - amazed at what a tractor can do. I had zero experience with tractors till I got mine a year and a half ago. I use it most every day and still marvel at the end of each session at what it did.

It was great to see someone with a tractor the same as mine having good luck with a grapple. Thanks for the suggestions.

TXwoods · May 2, 2013

Dingo Man, I definitely am conflicted on grapple price vs confidence. I'd like to get a $1000 grapple but don't want a broken top bar like I saw in pictures of some Wildkats on TBN. I'm leaning toward WR Long because of reputation.

Since seeing Burtonbr's pictures and comments on the bolt on thumb type grapple, I'm now studying those. Looks like they'll do the brush moving job but not the root digging. I wonder if a bucket with a tooth bar can dig roots like a root grapple can.

I did look at North American Implements - the Gator 48" Light Duty Root Grapple is a product of theirs. Is that the one you just ordered? Did you order directly from NAI? What was their price? How much for shipping? Maine looks about the same distance from NC as Texas.

Thanks for your ideas.

TXwoods · May 2, 2013

cal2620, another tractor like mine successfully using a grapple and it's the OBG2 as well! And the Kubota Quick Coupler and the WR Long 3rd function kit. I'm now totally encouraged about the practicality of a grapple on my tractor. I already knew it could do work I needed done if only it would work on my B2920 and now I know it will. Plus, you have verified my entire plan. Thanks so much.

To all readers, despite what I just said, I'm still fully open to all comments. I have not made up my mind on which brands or types to buy. I've only made up my mind that I'm going to do it.