Buying Advice Grapple recommendations for NX4510

Inconceivable · Apr 7, 2018

Hello All
Been lurking here for awhile. So I am planning on buying a NX4510 HST in a couple of months. I have 30 acres and will be mowing about 5 of that in addition I plan on clearing about 3 acres of lightly (18" dia or smaller) forested alder in addition to clearing a couple of areas for building. I also have a mile long gravel drive way to maintain, and will be doing some trenching.

So far this is what I have spec'ed to buy.
NX4510 HST with FEL and BH (No Cab)
RC3060 Cutter
BB3072 Box blade
PF4448 Pallet fork
MIE TFK-P Third function kit
MIE BT85-SHPH Hydraulic Thumb

So with that info I need some help figuring out what the best type of grapple I should buy. I would like to use it like a brush rake to clear out salmon berries and use it for moving all the alder I plan on cutting down. I have looked at MIE setup and all the ones on Everything Attachments and am not sure which one would do both jobs for me.

Do I need dual jaws or one big single jaw?
How heavy of a unit should I limit myself to as to not lose lifting capacity?
If I get a light unit will I bend it up when I try and use it as a brush rake.

Any recommendations from members who are happy with there setup?

Thanks

rbtjr · Apr 7, 2018

Welcome. There are many threads about grapples on TBN, so I won't presume to duplicate the great info in those threads. My suggestion is that you call Travis at EA, tell him about your tractor and the tasks you have in mind for your grapple, and get his advice. Travis is very knowledgeable about attachments in general and grapples in particular. Although we don't have an EA grapple (we have two but bought them before we became acquainted with EA), we do have several attachments we bought from EA. We are pleased with our EA attachments, and Travis and the other EA folks are really good to do business with.

K5lwq · Apr 7, 2018

Welcome and +1 on EA! Travis will help steer you in the right direction for your needs. I have several EA attachments and like all of them but the 55" Wicked Root Grapple is my favorite.

Threepoint · Apr 7, 2018

I went through this a couple of years ago with my NX4510HST Cab. Lots of options and views on this as you know. After a fair amount of research, I settled on a 60" dual-lid EA Wicked Root Grapple. Very happy with it, and glad I did not go wider and heavier, as I often need to work in close quarters in the woods.

I operate it with a W.R. Long electric-over-hydraulic 3rd function kit that I had my Kioti dealer install. You can run a grapple from dual remotes, but having the convenience of a thumb-operated rocker-switch right on the FEL lever is mighty nice.

I just notice that you've spec'ed MIE for some of your equipment. MIE is a first-rate vendor. Good folks and products, and a good source of advice, IMO.

oosik · Apr 7, 2018

And like threepoint - I went thru the grapple buying decision four years ago. I decided on a very heavy duty Land Pride SGC 1560 rock & root grapple. Its single lid, weighs 820# and is 60" wide. I operate it with a WR Long third function control unit(electric over hydraulic).

My choice was based upon the fact that I would be handling big rocks and large chunks of my Ponderosa pine about 99.999% of the time. I have NO brush - so to speak - on my property.

The 820# grapple still leaves me with 2500# + that I can lift. I appreciate the fact that this grapple is heavy duty - I just hate replacing wimpy implements.

I also rotate the grapple down and use the top jaw to back drag and level cultivated land. It has performed flawlessly since the day I brought it home.

BTW - welcome to TBN. There is another grapple manufacturer - here in WA. ANBO - up in Colville, WA. They make an excellent product and will make just about anything you want/need.

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N2DFire · Apr 10, 2018

Inconceivable said:
Do I need dual jaws or one big single jaw?
How heavy of a unit should I limit myself to as to not lose lifting capacity?
If I get a light unit will I bend it up when I try and use it as a brush rake.

Dual vs Single is probably argued about as much as Ford vs Chevy - it really comes down to personal preference and the type of material you're planning to move.

How heavy? Lighter is always better provides it's not at the cost of strength. The lighter your grapple, the more material you can move & thus the fewer trips. HOWEVER if you're moving material that's relatively light (like brush) you'll probably never be able to pick up an amount (physically) large enough to max the weight lifting capacity you have. Now if you're moving large stone, trees, etc that would be different.

Will you bend a lighter unit? In short it depends on what it's made of.
Grapples (well all implements actually) are made stronger in one of two basic ways.
1) You use thicker metal
2) You use stronger metal

Thicker lower quality metal is cheaper (and also heavier), stronger metal means you get by with thinner / lighter pieces but it cost more (the basic quality over quantity argument).

And using it as a brush rake.

Bear in mind that there are two basic grapple shapes / designs. The L Bottom & the Clam Shell

The EA "Root Grapple" lines are L Bottom and come in Single & Dual Lid designs
Single Lid Wicked Root Grapple Lightweight Strong Large opening
Compact Tractor Dual Lid Wicked Root Grapple from Everything Attachments

and the "Root Rake Grapple" are clam shell
Best Rated 60 Inch Wicked Root Rake Grapple from Everything Attachments

I am a fan of the EA grapples, I have an EA grapple (50" Wicket Root Grapple) and, while I'm probably not quite as rough as Ted is, I do tend to beat it up a little and it's still holding up fine. EA had not yet made the "Root Rake" clam shell design when I purchased otherwise I may have bought the 55" Root Rake Grapple model instead (and not a day goes by that I don't toy with the idea of talking to Travis about an exchange program LOL).

I like the L bottom style because when I go to move brush, dead logs, old fence posts, etc I can get a lot more stacked on the flat bottom. I also like the fact that I can set stuff in it just to carry around like I would in the regular bucket - can't do that with the clam shell style (and I pretty much leave the grapple on all the time unless I just need the bucket)

Another primary job I use the grapple for is getting up the remains of round hay bales out of the field. Here the smaller opening range of the L shape makes me work a little harder trying to roll / lift piles up to where I can squish them into the grapple opening and get a bigger load per bite. I *think* the clam shell with the wider opening would get more per bite or at least be less work per bite to do.

My one other reason that I have "grapple envy" on the clam shell design is that it looks more "dozer-ish" than the L bottom style and to really get in and dig for roots & rocks I have to roll the L bottom style to get the teeth in to cut and I'm afraid I'll end up bending/breaking something (on the loader not the grapple). The clam shell design looks like it will dig pretty good with the loader rolled all the way back & thus in a stronger position.

Again - these are my thoughts with no scientific basis whatsoever.

My best advice will echo what others have said. Watch the videos on YouTube of both styles in action & then call Travis and tell him what you want to do and he will point you in the right direction.

Inconceivable · Apr 10, 2018

Thanks for the replys all. I am leaning towards the new EA root rake grapple with the clam shell design, as I suspect I will be using it a lot like a dozer when I am clearing out brush and down limbs. I know I will have to make more trips with cut up logs as you will not be able to stack as many in the grapple with this design. It's a tough call for sure...

cutthroat · Apr 12, 2018

I went with the Titan root/rake grapple and have found it to be of very good quality. thick steel and good welds. can't beat the price. Is heavier than EA grapples, but for just the brush I am mainly using it for, the lost lift capacity because of its weight isn't a big deal.

Inconceivable · May 11, 2018

Well I ordered my NX4510 HST No Cab FEL and BH Ind tires filled this week with a June 26 delivery date. I am having a hydraulic thumb for the BH installed along with third function for FEL installed. I also ordered the EA 60 Inch Wicked Root Rake Grapple (ETA-60-WRRG) which has a 7 weeks estimated build time. So its a hurry up and wait situation. Will post review when I get everything together and tested.

N2DFire · May 11, 2018

Inconceivable said:
Well I ordered my NX4510 HST No Cab FEL and BH Ind tires filled this week with a June 26 delivery date. I am having a hydraulic thumb for the BH installed along with third function for FEL installed. I also ordered the EA 60 Inch Wicked Root Rake Grapple (ETA-60-WRRG) which has a 7 weeks estimated build time. So its a hurry up and wait situation. Will post review when I get everything together and tested.

Can't go wrong with an EA grapple - they are some tough little boogers.

I have the 50" Compact Root Grapple (The L shape bottom style) - they weren't making the new clam shell rake style when I bought mine so I have some serious flip flopping grapple envy over the 55" model.

Be sure to post pictures when you get it all together.

Enjoy & welcome to the pack.