Grapple Recommendations for a Compact Tractor 48"-54"

[kb12610]

Looking to those that have and or used grapples on their tractors. Looking for information as to use, limitation etc. Maybe how you would modify what you have for better use.

From what I can tell they look to be in about three main categories. What seems most often called a root/brush grapple that is flatter in profile with ripper teeth, and one that seems to have many names that is more like a bucket in profile that the upper and lower jaws are somewhat ell shaped. and the other is a ad-on bucket grapple.

The flatter profile would seem to give a higher lift when say loading on to a truck or trailer in that the lower jaw wouldn't hang down as much giving a little more clearance (?). Also thinking that if it was shorter on the fixed jaw you would retain lifting power which there is not a lot to spare on a compact to begin with.

I'm looking for something to handle brush, logs, roots, rock and pieces of broken concrete. And anything else that one would use one for.

Something in the 48" - 54" and 200-250 pound range.

Thanks in advance for any advice and experience.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I haven't purchased one...yet, but everything I've read, the best are here, Tractor Grapples, Root Grapples, Root Rake Grapples, Scrap Grapples or Grapple Buckets.

and they have outstanding customer service. backlog as of today appears to be about 5 weeks though. Everyone says it's worth it.

Call them and discuss your needs and I'm sure they will set you up with exactly what you need.

 

[K5lwq]

I have the 55" wicked root grapple from EA. I can say it is well made and I definitely would buy it again.

 

[Myz28u]

I went through the tedious process of trying to decide on a grapple. I finally landed on the Artillian style grapple. I really liked the modular approach. It lets me use a single grapple, just the rakes or any different variety of the combos. I really like using the single grapple section when cleaning debris from my creek. The single grapple lets me play like a claw game to pick up smaller pieces or select things compared to having to use the full width grapple and snagging other vines and such. (We have wild grapes that like the grow there and are easily snagged by the full grapple.
One of the other main uses is using the lower times to back drag debris similar to a ratchet rake. It’s pretty effective to pull it out and then use the grapple to cart it away.

 

[oosik]

I went with a Land Pride SGC 1560 grapple. It's considered to be a rock & root grapple. I seldom have brush to deal with. Mainly large chunks of Ponderosa pine and large rocks. This particular grapple is much larger than you need but the rock/root style appears to be built a bit heavier.

Heavier, shorter tines. I've had and used it for six years. Only "damage" - some of the powder coat paint has chipped of the tine tips.View attachment 663199View attachment 663205. Do something like this to your grill guard. It just might save your radiator, grill or battery from sticks, stobs, limbs, etc.

 

[TomIre]

MTL 48 inch root grapple for me. Based on price $890 delivered. Only had it a sort time zero issues so far. The root grapple design seemed the best all around design. I've been doing things with it I'd never imagined. Today I was picking up my Bush Hog and turning it up on its side to work on. The "teeth" fit under the lip of the deck and I could close the top of the grapple for a good trip.

 

[dusty3030]

Love my 60" EA wicked grapple. I've done things I shouldn't with it and it is still straight as an arrow. I had to wait a little while to get it in but as said in a previous post I would buy it again in a heartbeat. A grapple get's used hard. The achilles heel of a compact or subcompact tractor loader is lift capacity. To be rugged and light enough to be useful is a niche product. There is a good selection of heavy grapples that are great for a skid steer or bigger utility tractor - no so many for a smaller machine. Everything Attachments did a great job in my opinion on being rugged and light enough on the wicked line.

 

[Smokeydog]

EA 54” double lid wicked root rake grapple on Kubota B26 is about perfect for our farm. Handles brush, trees, firewood, rocks and easy to see and use. It has some back brush bars that help contain brush and protect your tractor.
Whatever you choose additional grill protection is a must.

 

[kthompson]

Agree with the grill protector is a MUST.

I have the Everything Attachment, their Wicked 60 grapple for my L6060. Have maybe 40 hours on it and very pleased. I did some looking at others on line and LP in person. If possible would suggest you see the grapple in person or video of the grapple. EA has a lot of videos on most of their products and if you search youtube probably will find many brands. Some have the lid and bottom tines that line up with each other so they can "pinch" a small limb or such but to me that prevents them closing on a small load, my EA tines by pass each other. You can still pinch a single small limb or board if need be and also a small load of limbs or such.

 

[biodegraded]

I have an EA 54" single lid. I've had it 5 years now. It is on the loader, like, 90% of the time. Forks are on most of the other times - poor bucket feels neglected. It is heavier than your weight requirement - a bit over 300 lbs. My tractor could handle a larger grapple, but the 54" is perfectly suited for my needs. It feels "nimble" for lack of a better word and I do relatively little brush work with it where a bigger 2 lid would shine. I would buy another without thinking once if I needed a replacement.

 

[cglaser104]

Precision manufacturing now also makes a grapple called the mini 322. That and the wicked 55" are the only 2 that weight 250lbs or so...the rest are 400lbs and up that I've seen.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a MTL 54". I've only had it about a month but it seems solid and does what I need it to do. It weighs around 400 lbs though, which is about 1/3 of the lifting capacity of your T233- a concern which you've already mentioned.
Somebody mentioned the artillian model;
Sectional Grapple - Artillian
They are priced comparable to mine, and are a lot lighter; the grapple is only 90 lbs, if I read the specs right. The single grapple doesn't look as wide as you'd like though. You could also just buy the top grapple and mount it on your bucket or pallet forks.

One downside to mine which may be normal or could be specific to the MTL, is that it won't close down very tightly on small trees. I plan to make an adapter from a couple of old ATV tires which I salvaged from my trash.

 

[i7win7]

Land Pride makes a BX performance matched grapple

https://cdn-assets.greatplainsmfg.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/380-138s.pdf

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^
One downside to the LandPride though is the price... twice what you will pay for some of the others. For the average user like me, it's hard to justify that extra expense.

 

[cglaser104]

I wonder if the artillian rake/grapple would fit a non-artillian frame.

 

[DavidD]

I have a MTL 54". I've only had it about a month but it seems solid and does what I need it to do. It weighs around 400 lbs though, which is about 1/3 of the lifting capacity of your T233- a concern which you've already mentioned.
Somebody mentioned the artillian model;
Sectional Grapple

One downside to mine which may be normal or could be specific to the MTL, is that it won't close down very tightly on small trees. I plan to make an adapter from a couple of old ATV tires which I salvaged from my trash.

I have the mtl 48 and it has been great.
I will try to post a picture of one solution to improve the bite on small trees that逞ｴ worked for me.
I guess I can稚 add pictures from my phone, I welded a piece of 3/8 plate between center bottom teeth with v notch to fit top center tooth. Will even grip vines now

 

[DavidD]

I have the mtl 48 and it has been great.
I will try to post a picture of one solution to improve the bite on small trees that逞ｴ worked for me.
I guess I can稚 add pictures from my phone, I welded a piece of 3/8 plate between center bottom teeth with v notch to fit top center tooth. Will even grip vines now

Saplings are fun now

 

[TractorGuy]

I have the mtl 48 and it has been great.
I will try to post a picture of one solution to improve the bite on small trees that逞ｴ worked for me.
I guess I can稚 add pictures from my phone, I welded a piece of 3/8 plate between center bottom teeth with v notch to fit top center tooth. Will even grip vines now

The MTL is well built for the money. Their website says the 48" weights 360 lbs.

I would like to see your modifications.

Here is the sticky on photo posting.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/107314-photo-posting-how.html

 

[DavidD]

Thanks for the help with pictures, I’ll get a better one to show the modification

 

[Myz28u]

I wonder if the artillian rake/grapple would fit a non-artillian frame.

They do not according to Artillian.