Grapple Opinions Again

[AllDodge]

M9540 with skid steer attach

Looking at several and like the clam shell style. Many list as root rake but I'm not going to try and bend the FEL arms trying to do something like that. Skid Steer Attachment Depot has a 72 inch which looks like what I'm thinking about. just as a pic only of style. Do plan to call and ask some questions about their product

Skid Steer Tractor Loader Attachment - 72" Root Rake Clam Grapple - Ship $199 | eBay

Its a clam shell and is 600 pounds. Can get the extreme which weight is 900 or so pounds, but that also reduces the amount it can pick up.

The thing I'm looking for is the style. Want something to pick up brush, trees and some rocks, but no need for digging in the dirt, have other stuff to do that

 

[Rmart30]

Ive use both styles and went with the opposite style with the longer tines when I bought one for my own. I like it because it cradles the brush pile etc rather than having to crush it to hold it. Just slide up under it and drop the lids down tilt back and go. With the clam shell type if it was brush that was starting to get rotten when you went to hold it tight it left a lot of debris behind.

2�19 MTL Attachments HD 72 Skid Steer Root Grapple Twin Cylinder-Universal fit | eBay

 

[Xfaxman]

I also have owned both styles and for brush, trees and rocks, I recommend the dual lid, L bottom style, this one is called a rock bucket:

 

[jblac197]

Ive use both styles and went with the opposite style with the longer tines when I bought one for my own. I like it because it cradles the brush pile etc rather than having to crush it to hold it. Just slide up under it and drop the lids down tilt back and go. With the clam shell type if it was brush that was starting to get rotten when you went to hold it tight it left a lot of debris behind.

2�19 MTL Attachments HD 72 Skid Steer Root Grapple Twin Cylinder-Universal fit | eBay

I got the same one just smaller and single lid. I love it, they are built pretty stout and do a great job on brush clean up and log hauling.

 

[AllDodge]

Looks like most like the dual independent grabbers over the single clam dual cylinder, along with flat bottom. Another mentioned that using independent arms allows for a uneven load pick up better, but with the larger opening when closed, need to get a full bucket more so I guess

 

[Hozzie]

I have a smaller MX5800 and have the EA 55" dual lid wicked root grapple. It's really all personal preference of root vs long tines.

For your tractor, I would go with this. You can watch the video's at the bottom to see how he tests it.
Wicked Root Grapple For Large Utility Tractors

 

[Saitcho]

For log handling and brush hauling for me nothing beat a log grapple on a set of forks. I can pick up bigger bunch of brush than any grapple I have seen seen. I can go into a log pile sneak the forks in and grab the log I want, I have a longer reach to drop a log further away. I can move pallet around the place.It weight less than a full grapple, cost less. Sure I cant go into a debris pile and take big bite. You need to figure out how often you do specific job. You will haul way more log and brush than remove debris piles so look at all the job you have to do and the frequency of each one then pick the right tool.
Cotech

 

[AllDodge]

Both good points, and have not thought about a add on pallet folk. The one in my link has a solid plate across it, and having used one without a cover is more chance to get brush into the grill. Using one similar before without a plate made it a real concern. Do agree the thought of how often will it be used

 

[EddieWalker]

Mine has two lids that work great at uneven loads, stumps, and sometimes, just picking up something small that I'm too lazy to get off of the tractor to do by hand. Any grapple is better then no grapple. I've never had a single lid grapple, so I can't speak on how good or bad they are, but after having mine for ten years, there is no way that I would want one with a single lid.

If I ever buy another one, it will be with a solid bottom so I can move a little dirt without having to take off the grapple and put on my bucket. I take out a lot of trees on my land and the hole remaining always needs more dirt to fill it up. To me, this would be the ultimate grapple design. I'm not saying that I would buy this one, but this type of grapple is what I wish that I had bought.

Skid Steer Attachment 72" Dual Cylinder Solid Bottom Bucket Grapple - Free Ship! | eBay

 

[AllDodge]

Mine has two lids that work great at uneven loads, stumps, and sometimes, just picking up something small that I'm too lazy to get off of the tractor to do by hand. Any grapple is better then no grapple. I've never had a single lid grapple, so I can't speak on how good or bad they are, but after having mine for ten years, there is no way that I would want one with a single lid.

If I ever buy another one, it will be with a solid bottom so I can move a little dirt without having to take off the grapple and put on my bucket. I take out a lot of trees on my land and the hole remaining always needs more dirt to fill it up. To me, this would be the ultimate grapple design. I'm not saying that I would buy this one, but this type of grapple is what I wish that I had bought.

Skid Steer Attachment 72" Dual Cylinder Solid Bottom Bucket Grapple - Free Ship! | eBay

I kind of like that one also, need to look some more