Grapple width. Same as bucket or narrower?

[screamin400]

I have a grapple ordered from EA. Talked to Travis about width. I ordered a 72" dual lid as that is the width of my loader. We talked about a 66" and I thought I want the same width as my loader. I think I made the right choice but not sure I made the right choice. I have never used one. Weight is not an issue. We are talking 3 inches on each side. I do not want to get into a debate of dual or single lid just wondering if you went narrower than your tractor. I will be hiring out doing storm cleanups. Thanks.

 

[mcfarmall]

I guess it depends on what you are going to use it for the most. I wouldn't go any narrower than your front tire spread for sure. If you are going to be picking up trashcan sized boulders I'd go same as your tire width, if mostly lightweight but bulky brush then I'd go wider.

 

[screamin400]

Tractor is 71 inches wide. I felt I wanted to cover the tracks. I have a hard time bringing myself to not covering the width of the tractor

 

[sweettractors]

I have a grapple ordered from EA. Talked to Travis about width. I ordered a 72" dual lid as that is the width of my loader. We talked about a 66" and I thought I want the same width as my loader. I think I made the right choice but not sure I made the right choice. I have never used one. Weight is not an issue. We are talking 3 inches on each side. I do not want to get into a debate of dual or single lid just wondering if you went narrower than your tractor. I will be hiring out doing storm cleanups. Thanks.

One advantage to a narrower grapple would be to let you access tighter areas. Ken Sweet

 

[swnoel]

Tractor is 71 inches wide. I felt I wanted to cover the tracks. I have a hard time bringing myself to not covering the width of the tractor

Why would you need a grapple to cover your tire width... a grapple is for grabbing something?

 

[Gordon Gould]

To me it depends on how open the area is that you operate in. I am always in the woods. I had a 6' bucket and it takes a lot of room, sweeping wide in turns. I got a narrow grapple - 42". What a huge increase in maneuverability - huge. And the grapple picks up anything just fine. I realize this is a different type work than most do.





gg

 

[screamin400]

Why would you need a grapple to cover your tire width... a grapple is for grabbing something?

Are you running narrower than your tractor? How much?

 

[bdhsfz6]

It depends on what you're doing with the grapple. If you are cutting a path through brush & debris, it can be handy to have one the same width as your bucket. On some grapples, an extra 6" or so in width can make a big difference in weight. Check your specs.

FWIW, the dealer recommended the grapple be the same width as the bucket when I bought mine.

 

[JB13502]

I have a 72" bucket, 66" grapple. Would have liked to gone to 60" grapple, but couldn't find one heavy enough while still being affordable to me.

In my case, width isn't so important for clean up. A 66 inch grapple will grab an 8 foot brush pile as well as a 72 inch grapple. I wanted narrower for getting into tight spots.

Honestly, there's times I wish I had smaller; I've never wished for bigger.

 

[newbury]

To me it depends on how open the area is that you operate in. I am always in the woods. I had a 6' bucket and it takes a lot of room, sweeping wide in turns. I got a narrow grapple - 42". What a huge increase in maneuverability - huge. And the grapple picks up anything just fine. I realize this is a different type work than most do.
<snip>
gg

Definitely

One advantage to a narrower grapple would be to let you access tighter areas. Ken Sweet

Yup

<snip>
FWIW, the dealer recommended the grapple be the same width as the bucket when I bought mine.

That reads like a safe answer.

IF I was operating in open fields grappling cut down mesquite I'd want a wide grapple.
But in the woods

swinging my 6' bucket around is a pain, like Gordon says.