Is a grapple worth it?

[sw18x]

Starting a new thread now that I've decided on the B2650 and need to get serious about implements. FEL, BH with thumb, RFM are now set. I dropped the Brushhog since our 1 acre pasture isn't too far gone yet that I can run the RFM through there occasionally and keep things under control, and going with the RFM over the MMM saved me money too. Bottom line, I can get the third function and a grapple for $2300 which puts me right back where my original quote was for the package with the brush hog and MMM.

So I'd like to hear from grapple owners - is it worth the expense? Is it one of those tools you find using more frequently than you expected, or do they end up sitting in a corner? I have two huge brush piles of downed apple trees that the previous owner pulled out, and a good deal of brush around the perimeter of the mowed portion of the property to play in. So in the short term, that grapple will come in **** handy. But once that stuff is cleaned up, I wonder how much I'll use it in the woods. I will be cutting some trails through light brush eventually and do have 30 acres of woods to play in, but what do you think? Do you rate your grapple a necessity or a luxury?

 

[ovrszd]

I made my Grapple by adding claws to a bucket. So my information might be a bit skewed. I rarely take mine off. It's the 2nd most used tractor attachment I have. Only led by the FEL itself.

In my case I keep my property better maintained because I have a Grapple. I never drive by a mess on the ground, brush, etc., without picking it up and hauling it to the pile.

Warning, Grapple will make a lazy man out of you. You'll spend a couple minutes trying to pick up the smallest things with the Grapple rather than getting off the tractor and doing it by hand.

 

[TripleR]

One of those "it depends" type of questions. We got by for years without one as I was able to use a chain saw, had kids who could cut and drag trees. Kids got scarce, so we got by with forks. My brother and I are much older and I swear the tractors are getting taller, so I bought our first grapple two years ago the another one the next year as we have three primary properties with quite a few trees. What once was considered a luxury is now a necessity.

Yes our grapples may sit idle for months, but no one rents them in my area and a good ice storm or summer thunderstorm makes having one handy essential.

It took ovrszd and k0ua a while to convince me, but I'm glad they did.

 

[teg]

In the long run... Yes, it's worth it if you have the acreage and woods. A couple of qualifiers... I bought a used bolt on "grapple" (basically like a "Thumb") and I installed a 3 spool valve (to also run hydraulic Top and Side link) for a LOT less than $2300. I would learn to do it yourself and look for used grapples.

 

[rswyan]

In the long run... Yes, it's worth it if you have the acreage and woods.

Yupper ...

A couple of qualifiers... I bought a used bolt on "grapple" (basically like a "Thumb") and I installed a 3 spool valve (to also run hydraulic Top and Side link) for a LOT less than $2300.

:thumbsup:

$500 will buy ya a lot of rear remote action if ya roll your own.

I would learn to do it yourself and look for used grapples.

... or just build it yourself ...

 

[Tomtint]

Worth every penny to me

 

[EddieWalker]

After the front loader, the grapple is the best attachment out there!!!! Trees die, they lose branches, and sometimes you just need to remove some timber. Having grapple is the only way to do this in a productive manner. Being able to pick up the branches and stack them on a burn pile means cleaner burns,and less dirt to deal with when it's all burned up. Knowing what I know now, I would willingly pay twice what I did for my grapple. It's something I couldn't live without.

 

[mecan]

yes to grapple
and somethings you never thought of.... that was an old lawn tractor.

 

[k0ua]

They are pretty handy, I don't use mine every day either, but when you need one, everything else is a compromise. I stacked little bits of brush in my bucket for years, and later when I got forks, I used them, but a grapple beat the heck out of both for handling brush, and tree limbs and logs. I used the forks today to move several pallets of bricks after stacking them on the pallets.

Nothings beats forks for moving pallets. Nothing beats a grapple for moving brush and limbs. It is hard to say how much you would use it, as everyone's tractor usage is different, but I am glad I have mine.

Richard is right about the lazy man syndrome, I pick up little rocks and twigs all the time with mine. It is convenient and fun.

 

[4570Man]

I wouldn't be without my grapple. It gets used more then any other implement I have.

 

[valkyrie9901]

YES!!!!

 

[Snowback]

YES. Oui. Si. etc... Necessity (IMHO)

At least when it comes to any kind of tract with woods and brush. It is just so handy at our place. I would also recommend a third function kit simply for the ease of use and general simplicity of one handed operation. if you haven't already, please search the forums for the many grappling threads and posts. Really great info out there. You just need to decide on type, size, and number of lids. The pics below are of a 60", single lid, Wicked grapple. Perfect for my needs and stays on the tractor all the time unless I need to move dirt.

Good luck with your new Tractor AND grapple!

 

[nybirdman]

I don't have a "full on" grapple but a thumb and tooth-bar;best thing I ever purchased for the tractor.Sure saves the back;also get the third function.

 

[totouchantler]

I just purchased a new L3901 this past week. A grapple is on my envy list.... I too wonder if I'd use it enough..... Heres my thinking: Get one! Who says you have to be married to it. I see used grapples from time to time on Craigslist.... I'm sure it wouldn't las long if you put it on there. I think I'm going to buy one (used).... I know I could work a root grapple a week our two straight clearing rose spirea , and bush honeysuckle on my 35 acre property. If I find Its not very useful after that I'll sell it. Look at it like this.....If you rented one there is no way you could only use it a weekend (normal rental) and do everything you wanted with it. Chances are you would want it again for at least another weekend. What would a two weekend rental cost? My guess is no less than 400 dollars? If you own it.... you can use it whenever you want.....If you finally feel like you've used it up as much as your going to need it.... then sell it in your yard. My question (a dumb one), do grapples advertised as 'skid steer' grapples fit kubota quick attach buckets? Thanks in advance for a reply.

 

[lostcreekranch]

There's only one thing better than a grapple;



And that's two grapples;





Then you'll want a tree / post puller;

 

[k0ua]

I just purchased a new L3901 this past week. A grapple is on my envy list.... I too wonder if I'd use it enough..... Heres my thinking: Get one! Who says you have to be married to it. I see used grapples from time to time on Craigslist.... I'm sure it wouldn't las long if you put it on there. I think I'm going to buy one (used).... I know I could work a root grapple a week our two straight clearing rose spirea , and bush honeysuckle on my 35 acre property. If I find Its not very useful after that I'll sell it. Look at it like this.....If you rented one there is no way you could only use it a weekend (normal rental) and do everything you wanted with it. Chances are you would want it again for at least another weekend. What would a two weekend rental cost? My guess is no less than 400 dollars? If you own it.... you can use it whenever you want.....If you finally feel like you've used it up as much as your going to need it.... then sell it in your yard. My question (a dumb one), do grapples advertised as 'skid steer' grapples fit kubota quick attach buckets? Thanks in advance for a reply.

Yes the SSQA grapple should fit your L3901 if it has the SSQA quick attach (two gray handles). BUT be careful, as many grapples designed for skid steers are very heavy and will "eat up" all of your lift capability of your tractor. Remember you only have somewhere around 1100 lbs of lift and that is at the pins, not out there 24 inches. If you get a 700 lb grapple, that is about all you are going to lift, just the grapple. I have the Everything Attachments 50 inch single lid because my total lift is only 1430 lbs and this grapple only weighs 274 lbs but is made of high tensile steel. 80,000 psi instead of 36,000 psi which is the standard A36 mild steel. Since your tractor has less lift than mine you need to be even more conscious of the size of the grapple you buy. If you could wind up with at least 700 lbs of load capacity after subtracting the weight of the grapple, that would be great.


Everything Attachments Compact Wicked Root Grapple 50"

 

[ovrszd]

I just purchased a new L3901 this past week. A grapple is on my envy list.... I too wonder if I'd use it enough..... Heres my thinking: Get one! Who says you have to be married to it. I see used grapples from time to time on Craigslist.... I'm sure it wouldn't las long if you put it on there. I think I'm going to buy one (used).... I know I could work a root grapple a week our two straight clearing rose spirea , and bush honeysuckle on my 35 acre property. If I find Its not very useful after that I'll sell it. Look at it like this.....If you rented one there is no way you could only use it a weekend (normal rental) and do everything you wanted with it. Chances are you would want it again for at least another weekend. What would a two weekend rental cost? My guess is no less than 400 dollars? If you own it.... you can use it whenever you want.....If you finally feel like you've used it up as much as your going to need it.... then sell it in your yard. My question (a dumb one), do grapples advertised as 'skid steer' grapples fit kubota quick attach buckets? Thanks in advance for a reply.

What they mean by Skid Steer grapple is that they fit SS (Skid Steer) compatable Quick Attach plates. That is what your Kubota has if it's a Quick Attach bucket.

Your bucket is removeable by releasing two levers right?

 

[totouchantler]

That EA 50 inch graple looks like a good match for my L3901.... My bucket weighs 270 lbs aprox. It certainly could handle the rose spirea and bush honey suckle that I have already uprooted using my conventional bucket. Great.... Can you guys let my wife know!

 

[k0ua]

That EA 50 inch graple looks like a good match for my L3901.... My bucket weighs 270 lbs aprox. It certainly could handle the rose spirea and bush honey suckle that I have already uprooted using my conventional bucket. Great.... Can you guys let my wife know!

No problem, we have your back, go ahead and order it.

 

[Snowback]

No problem, we have your back, go ahead and order it.

Or - just give k0ua or me your shipping location and we'll have Travis at EA ship it COD. That way there'll be no turning back and you'll have someone else to blame!