Kena 3pt log grapple

[pclausen]

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the Kena log grapple?

Here's a couple of pics of it:

And a video of it in action:

Kena Log Grapple - YouTube

Specs as follows:

Fits Cat. 1 & 2 3-point. 25-100 HP.
Max Cap. 2000lbs at 25HP
Jaw width 30" max
Hydraulic psi max 3000 lbs
Weight Beam 130 lbs
Weight Grapple 110 lbs

I found it for $1,875 with free shipping. I was originally looking at the Wallenstein LX5100. But its cat 1 only, 1500lbs lift capacity not rated for tractors up to 100hp, and it cost $1000 more than the Kena shipped.

I like the simple chain grapple to beam connection. I don't really need the spring return to center of the Wallenstein, let alone a hydraulic rotator. I just need to drag logs/trees from where they are cut. Once out of the woods, and near the destination, I'll then use my front grapple to move them where I want them.

This seems like a reasonably priced unit if it will hold up to what a 85hp tractor can dish out. At only 240 lbs, less than the Wallenstein, I'm a little concerned about that. If anyone has had this thing and used it on a 100hp tractor for years with no issues, I'd be much less concerned.

 

[jpm1]

As far as my opinion goes here, i'de go with it if i was in the market for a grapple. Price looks right and free shipping is a plus. The hydralics are limited so theres nothing big to go wrong there Blow a hose or replace a seal in the cylinder, no costly issue there, just a little of your time. Any structural issues can be fixed with a welder, MY opinion any problems would be caused by operator error. Go for it. Let us know how it works out . . .John

 

[lutt]

I think that is a good looking grapple. I am going to build the simple 3 pt skidder with chains. But am interested in these also. Depends on how my part time firewood business goes. If you buy it,please keep us updated. That thing is simple but sturdy built looking to me, thats always a good combo. LUTT

 

[mroldstyle]

I built one last year, and I made it so the boom swivels side to side. After skidding out 55 cord of pulp wood I will tell you that feature is indespensible. Trying to back up directly to a log is not as easy as it would seem. :mur: However I was taking 3 to 5 trees per pull. One at a time may not be quite as frustrating.
Theres pic on here if you do a search under my name.

 

[pclausen]

Appreciate the feedback guys. Yes, this one does look quite sturdy and the grapple is likely to loose grip, or the tractor, before anything bad would happen. The logs would have to be fairly short to attempt lifting the whole thing like in the video. But perhaps the grapple would loose its grip before the tractor would do a wheelie, but then that would be more of an operator error.

Well, I'm definitely still very interested in this model. If it turns out to be a pain to operate without a rotator, I would think I could add one of those later. If I had a welder, I could fabricate a boom myself, and pick up a grapple and rotator from these guys:

Log Grapples

Has anyone dealt with them?

 

[lutt]

I built one last year, and I made it so the boom swivels side to side. After skidding out 55 cord of pulp wood I will tell you that feature is indespensible. Trying to back up directly to a log is not as easy as it would seem. :mur: However I was taking 3 to 5 trees per pull. One at a time may not be quite as frustrating.
Theres pic on here if you do a search under my name.

Mroldstyle, that is a good looking skidder you built,also good looking truck. I am thinking of building one with a winch, I have a lot of logs in ravines from this years timber harvest,that I cant get to with the tractor. I do have 120 ft of cable that probly can be used with blocks to pull them,but that may get monatinous fast, excuse the spelling. LUTT

 

[lutt]

Appreciate the feedback guys. Yes, this one does look quite sturdy and the grapple is likely to loose grip, or the tractor, before anything bad would happen. The logs would have to be fairly short to attempt lifting the whole thing like in the video. But perhaps the grapple would loose its grip before the tractor would do a wheelie, but then that would be more of an operator error.

Well, I'm definitely still very interested in this model. If it turns out to be a pain to operate without a rotator, I would think I could add one of those later. If I had a welder, I could fabricate a boom myself, and pick up a grapple and rotator from these guys:

Log Grapples

Has anyone dealt with them?

Your Welcome. I am new to this,not to wood cutting but log handling,that probly didnt make much sense. Maybe you could fill your loader with dirt for counter weight. The rotater would be a plus for sure. This is a learning curve for me, I am hoping to pick up a few things from you guys on here about this. THANKS LUTT

 

[mroldstyle]

I never had a problem with the front end getting light. That was pulling 3 to 5 26 foot long 12" pine logs.

 

[Gordon Gould]

If I was going to put it on a 85 hp tractor I would like to see him playing with a bigger log in that video. It would also be better to see him in the woods which is a whole different senario.
It looks great for a small tractor working in an open flat area any thing more than that I would want to see first.

 

[Bob77064]

Good looking grapple and the price is right.

 

[pclausen]

I'm not worried about the front end being light as I'll have a 1000lbs grapple mounted. My tractor is probably 12,000+ lbs with the FEL/grapple, loaded tires and dual weights on each rear.

As Gordon pointed out above, I think the issue might be more one of how the reach will be with this log grapple on my tractor and moving about in the woods. Fortunately I'm clearing out a good bit as I go, so I'm have pretty decent room to move around. But I do have slopes in the 20-30 degree range, and I have to come in at angles some times where straight up and down is no possible, so I still need chains on occasion to pull up/down trees from the really steep hill sides.

 

[Artisan]

I want one for about 4 hours w/ a caliper and AutoCAD...

Then make my own for a few hundred.

 

[Artisan]

PS, here is one on Ebay w/ rotator, less 3pt for 2100.00

 

[lutt]

I'm not worried about the front end being light as I'll have a 1000lbs grapple mounted. My tractor is probably 12,000+ lbs with the FEL/grapple, loaded tires and dual weights on each rear.

As Gordon pointed out above, I think the issue might be more one of how the reach will be with this log grapple on my tractor and moving about in the woods. Fortunately I'm clearing out a good bit as I go, so I'm have pretty decent room to move around. But I do have slopes in the 20-30 degree range, and I have to come in at angles some times where straight up and down is no possible, so I still need chains on occasion to pull up/down trees from the really steep hill sides.

Yeah that wont be a issue, I grain drilled pasture this year with a late model 6000 seris deere set up simaler to yours. I was drilling on a hill farm and side hills would give a little pucker factor. Not used to these smaller tractors, most of my seat time has been in full size ag tractors. I never was in danger of rolling over,but you could tell you were sidehilln. LUTT

 

[PapaPerk]

Personally I would buy the Wallenstein over this unit. The Wallenstein is a better and thought out design. Just my 2 cents. :2cents:

http://www.embmfg.com/Forestry/Grapples/LX5100.aspx

 

[PapaPerk]

Just saw a pic of your tractor. That's a big machine. I think both the Wallenstein and the grapple in question are too small for your machine.

Have you considered a skidding plate?

There's some pics of mine in this thread.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/255645-my-log-skidding-ballast-hitch.html

 

[jmc]

Well, I'm definitely still very interested in this model. If it turns out to be a pain to operate without a rotator, I would think I could add one of those later. If I had a welder, I could fabricate a boom myself, and pick up a grapple and rotator from these guys:

Log Grapples

Has anyone dealt with them?

One of the PDF files in the above quote link shows the grapple fully closed into a neat little package that will grip a pretty small load. The smaller jaw needs to penetrate the larger jaw to do this and I think that's called a "bypass grapple". I don't know if the grapple in the original post for this thread is a bypass grapple or not but it looks like it could be. If you watch that video carefully when closing on the log, both jaws don't close simultaneously. One jaw closes until it hits resistance and then the second jaw closes. There doesn't appear to be a mechanism that makes the jaws move simultaneously. Not a big deal on something like my tree shear, which also has one cylinder controlling two opposing jaws. My question is, if it's a toss up of which jaw closes first, and it happens to be the larger jaw, then the smaller jaw can't bypass the larger jaw in its closed position. Am I missing something?

John

 

[Gordon Gould]

Just saw a pic of your tractor. That's a big machine. I think both the Wallenstein and the grapple in question are too small for your machine.

That's what I was trying to hint at. But you came right out and said it. I agree 100%

 

[dbaer78]

Check out Addington Equipment. They make some STOUT skidding grapples. That kena looks nice but for me the grapple itself seems a little on the small side as far as the opening. Also the cantilevered pins on the 3pt could be prone to bending. I could definitely see myself building somethin like it though. For the money it might be worth a try. You could probably break it then fix/modify it three times and still be cheaper than most other grapples.

 

[pclausen]

I did take a look at Addington Equipment. Their website doesn't really have a lot of information. I understand it is more or less a one man operation and there is wait time of a couple of months. Not that would necessarily be an issue. I'll call him up and find out what he would have that would be a good fit for my tractor.

I agree that the Wallenstein is too small. What intrigued me about the Kena was the category 2 hitch and claim of being a good match for a tractor up to 100hp, which is why I wanted to solicit you guys advice. A range of 25-100hp seem very wide for a single implement.

So looking at the grapple/rotator specs, would this be a better match? Addington Equipment appears to be using a grapple of similar specs on their 50-100hp 3pt hitch grapple.

Valby GR50, 50" BYPASS LOG GRAPPLE & R45 360ｰ HYDRAULIC ROTATOR | eBay

Maximum Gripping width is 50-3/4"
Minimum Opening is 3-1/2"
Max Lift Capacity is 3080lbs
Height in the open position is 26-3/8"
Height in the Closed Position is 19-1/2"
Width of the widest Claw is 11"
Working Pressure Rating is 2900psi
Jaw Steel thickness is .403"
Jaw Material is Raex 640
Grapple weight is 210lbs

My 3pt hitch lift capacity is 5700 lbs @ 24" back from the lower arms, btw.