Buying Advice JD AR10 Rock Bucket with Grapple

[dlauffenburger]

I am thinking about buying a Rock Grapple for clearing the fields of rocks after plowing and dragging as well as moving brush etc. I called the local JD dealer but he did not sound like he has ever seen one, I had to tell him what the model number was so he could look it up in the system, so I don't have a warm fuzzy on his recommendation. He hasn't called me back with a price or availability as of yet. Does anyone have a AR10 Rock Bucket with the grapple, If so can you give me your opinion on it's operation? Any other recommendations and experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
David

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Bradco makes the rock buckets for JD. We have sold many over the years and quality is top notch.
You'll find them on our website here: Skid Steer Loader Rock Buckets, Bradco Universal Skid Steer Quick Attach Rock Buckets for Skidsteer or Tractor Loader
Here is a video:

 

[EverythingAttachments]

The Construction Attachments Rock Bucket with Grapple is a little more reasonable.
They will put the JD hitch on it for $125.

 

[MattLynch]

I bought a rock bucket last year after I ploughed a really rocky field. I found it was good for picking up rocks that were too heavy to lift and good to pick up an occasional rock when discing, but not for picking up a lot of rocks. I actually found it way faster to just throw rocks in the regular bucket by hand then it was to use the rock bucket. A rock rake would have been nice too...

 

[dlauffenburger]

I bought a rock bucket last year after I ploughed a really rocky field. I found it was good for picking up rocks that were too heavy to lift and good to pick up an occasional rock when discing, but not for picking up a lot of rocks. I actually found it way faster to just throw rocks in the regular bucket by hand then it was to use the rock bucket. A rock rake would have been nice too...

Matt,

Thanks for the reply. What bucket did you purchase? Can you explain why it is slower than picking them up individually? I have seen a couple of YouTube vids on rock rakes and agree that they would probably be ideal for my situation but have not found anyone that rents them or ever sells them, and after windrowing all the rocks you would probably still want a rock bucket to pick them all up.

Thanks, Dave

 

[MattLynch]

I bought a Horst 84" model, looks the same as the Deere model, very heavy. You need to drop the bucket pick up the rock, then shake out the dirt. If the soil is damp it clumps and won't fall out. If it is a ploughed grass field you will get some sod and it won't fall out. A couple of my neighbours use them in corn fields and they work great in those conditions- only a few rocks and nice loose dryer soil with no sod.

 

[dlauffenburger]

I bought a Horst 84" model, looks the same as the Deere model, very heavy. You need to drop the bucket pick up the rock, then shake out the dirt. If the soil is damp it clumps and won't fall out. If it is a ploughed grass field you will get some sod and it won't fall out. A couple of my neighbours use them in corn fields and they work great in those conditions- only a few rocks and nice loose dryer soil with no sod.

Matt,

Thanks for the info. Your experience is what I was afraid of, we mostly plough sod fields on a rotational basis so the sod clumps are a concern. I would like to be able to find a rock rake to try or rent but I assume that system would have the same issues with sod and damp soils. Unfortunately it seems like we grow rocks on our farm so I need to find something faster than picking them up one at a time, I have picked and hauled 8 full buckets of rocks off of approx. 1 1/2 acres and have 7 acres to go this year.

Dave