grapple or 4 in 1 bucket

tanker8 · Mar 15, 2014

I am looking at getting a root grapple or a 4 in 1 bucket. Any suggestions on which way to go. I will be clearing brush and back grading. I am leaning toward the 4 in 1bucket at the moment.

MtnViewRanch · Mar 15, 2014

I think that you will find that a grapple will work much better for your brush work. Most people don't think about it, but you can use a root grapple to grade with. Been there, done that.

Good luck with your decision.

Degolyerent · Mar 16, 2014

I also use a root grapple to grade or backfill with. As you can see in the link it mentions it. http://www.loflinfabrication.com/products.htm#rootgrapple
This is the type I have and am very happy with it.
John

EddieWalker · Mar 16, 2014

Do you already have a bucket on your tractor? The 4 in 1 bucket will hold less material because of all the additional steel it takes to make, which makes it quite a bit heavier. If you are ordering the tractor and don't have it yet, then the 4 in 1 is a very good option, but it isn't anywhere in the same league as a grapple. My neighbor has a tractor very similar to mine with a 4 in 1 bucket and he has bent his bucket several times picking up logs with it. We're talking full sized loader backhoes. He gets the job done, but a good sized log that moves will bend the metal. I never have anything move when I pick it up with the grapple. I have two arms that lower that hold any sized load securely. My neighbor is seriously considering getting a grapple for his tractor, but seems to be hesitating because of the work involved in converting it to a quick attach or other system to easily remove his bucket and install a grapple.

I also have used my grapple to fill in holes from stumps. It's slower then the bucket, but still faster then taking it off and putting the bucket back on.

Nobody regrets owning a grapple. My tractor spends more time with the grapple on it then anything else!!!

Eddie

hhsco · Mar 16, 2014

tanker8 said:
I am looking at getting a root grapple or a 4 in 1 bucket. Any suggestions on which way to go. I will be clearing brush and back grading. I am leaning toward the 4 in 1bucket at the moment.

I've gotten quite a bit of seat time with a 4in1 bucket on a Case Backhoe. On that big ole machine the "dozer blade" part of the 4 in 1 is really hand for grading and whatnot and I've picked up plenty of trees and fence posts with the pinching hydraulics....that said I'd rather have a grapple on my own tractors 90% of the time, especially for clearing brush. Way easier to grab what you're trying to grab and can be used for all sorts of things, as the previous folks have pointed out. I'm not sure exactly what the weight difference is between 4-1 and grapple...but those 4-1 are HEAVY!

Either way you'll get by, but my vote is the grapple.

k0ua · Mar 16, 2014

You already have SSQA right? so it takes you a couple of minutes to put on the grapple or take it off. The bucket you already own is better than the 4n1 bucket. The grapple is way better than the pinch ability of the 4n1 for moving brush and logs. I vote grapple.

greg_g · Mar 16, 2014

The 4-in-1 obviously has inherent but limited grapple capability, and isn't much use in a root rake situation. I enhanced my Frontier 4-in-1 with a HD toothbar (removable) on the leading edge. That makes the whole thing a pretty fair compromise between a materials bucket, a grapple, a bi-directional scraper, and a root rake.

//greg//

engine29 · Mar 16, 2014

Grapple for sure. They are two different attachments for different purposes. You have a bucket already,
So get the grapple. Try Everything attachments.

NHbotanut · Mar 17, 2014

I would say it really depends on how much you will be doing. More brush clearing or backgrading. I have both attachments and I generally leave the 4N1 on for the summer, but when I have a lot of brush to move or logs to stack, the grapple is the way to go....really cuts down the time. For the spring (if it ever gets here!) and summer, I tend to use the bucket for more chores and projects.

When I start dealing with logging and clearing, I switch over to the grapple. I don't have the SSQA system, but with the 4 pins it generally take 10-15 minutes to switch over.

tanker8 · Mar 19, 2014

Most of the work would be with the bucket. I only have a 74" heavy duty bucket now and I am wanting to go to an 84" bucket. That was why I was thinking about going to a 4 in 1 bucket. I would use a grapple when I am clearing around the edges of my food plots.

94BULLITT · Mar 20, 2014

I vote for a grapple too.

7879fordman · Mar 20, 2014

Grapple for grapple'n

Or if ya got the coin get both can never have to may attachments .

Sent from my iPhone 5 using TractorByNet

TomSeller · Mar 20, 2014

94BULLITT said:
I vote for a grapple too.

http://s278.photobucket.com/user/NHRAx1320/media/tractor/20140301_154235_zpsycqrmppa.jpg.html

Wow, nice load !

94BULLITT · Mar 20, 2014

7879fordman said:
Grapple for grapple'n

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=366229"/>

Or if ya got the coin get both can never have to may attachments .

Sent from my iPhone 5 using TractorByNet

Or he could get a grapple and a dozer blade since he wants to grade with it, if he wants to get 2 attachments.

TomSeller said:
Wow, nice load !

Thanks, I think it weighed between 1700-1800lbs. This one was way heavier even though it was rotten about 5' up. I have some more logs/ trees I'll be moving soon. I'll post them somewhere.

TomSeller · Mar 20, 2014

That Stihl would be flattened into the ground if I had been driving your tractor. I always set mine next to a tree or something, otherwise I would run over them. So far, so good

k0ua · Mar 20, 2014

TomSeller said:
That Stihl would be flattened into the ground if I had been driving your tractor. I always set mine next to a tree or something, otherwise I would run over them. So far, so good

An even better place to put it is in the chainsaw scabbard on your tractor:shocked:

TomSeller · Mar 20, 2014

k0ua said:
An even better place to put it is in the chainsaw scabbard on your tractor:shocked:

Ya, I need to add one of those.

94BULLITT · Mar 20, 2014

k0ua said:
An even better place to put it is in the chainsaw scabbard on your tractor:shocked:

I am working on a carry all now and it will have scabbards for the chain saws.

TomSeller said:
That Stihl would be flattened into the ground if I had been driving your tractor. I always set mine next to a tree or something, otherwise I would run over them. So far, so good

It was sitting close to the stump, the stump just did not make the picture. I try to keep them close to a tree or well out of harms way.

tanker8 · Mar 26, 2014

Well I pulled the trigger today and bought a new Prowler 78" heavy duty root grapple. I think I got a good deal on it.

TomSeller · Mar 26, 2014

tanker8 said:
Well I pulled the trigger today and bought a new Prowler 78" heavy duty root grapple. I think I got a good deal on it.

I see those on eBay, including lighter duty versions which are good for some members. Free shipping to the US and Canada (whatever State that is in). They look nice