L45 Grapple

[PsRumors]

What is a good grapple for the L45? I picked this Caterpillar brand 72" grapple up for a deal but it really is to heavy. The build quality is excellent, greasable pins, 1/2" steel, good cylinders but 1050 lbs. If I could get this quality but with 3/8" steel it would be 200lbs lighter allowing for more lifting capacity

 

[tradosaurus]

My vote is for Everything Attachment's wicked grapple that comes in at about 400 lbs. The heavier your grapple the less weight you can lift on the front end.

 

[JWR]

I have been using a Wildkat under the Mid-state Brand for 2yrs now. It is made for skid-steer quick attach compatibility. Mine is a 66" width on a larger MF tractor. Could not be more pleased with it. Tough, durable effective. It is primarily made from 3/8 plate. I'd think 1/2" is too heavy for most applications unless you are running a MUCH larger tractor. My Wildkat is called medium duty but up close and personal it seems VERY HD to me. Heavy, strong.

I had what I think was good advice before buying it: Don't go for wide width, stay a good bit narrower than your bucket. Picking up limbs and debris usually does not need (and does not benefit from) a wide grapple. The narrower one is more maneuverable, less cumbersome and less often accidentally snagging things.

There are several competing brands that all seem to be made in SC not too far from you. Browse them on the web. Looks to me like they are copying each other.

One subtle thing is that (on my MF 2660 at least) the grapple teeth tend to be pointed downward and thus more likely to plow when you do not want them plowing. With mine fully curled upward they are OK and not plowing but not a great amount of margin. I think you will find that issue with most grapples.

There is good competition in the market for these things. No reason to pay much over $1000 for one matched to your L45. Mine is a larger tractor and I paid $1400 for this one plus tax. Picked it up myself and saved shipping but many of these sellers offer free shipping.

 

[Smokeydog]

Run a similar 72” grapple on my M59. Big, heavy and tough. Made of T1 steel. Skidsteer quality and bought new ~30 years ago. One of the most used implements on the farm. Your 72” is a little big for your size tractor but you would be hard to mangle it. Used Mangled mild steel grapples for ag tractors for sale are common around here.

Got a EA 54” dual lid wicked grapple for the B26 and could not be happier. High strength metal and design is light weight. It’s’ tine tips touch and can pick up the smallest stick or rock. Think it’s rated to 45 hp.

Really like the Kubota TLB series line. They are stronger and heavier built than similar size ag tractors so you need a strong one to complement your L45. Talk to Travis at EA about their recommendations for your application as you are casting about for information. A 66” dual lid wicked grapple would be my choice.

 

[JWR]

I agree with Smokeydog except that I'd lean towards a little narrower grapple for the L45 size tractor. Maybe the 55" or at most 60." I still say there is just no reason to pay $2300 and more for grapples when good solid ones of the same size and function are readily available under $1500. I am saying the EA stuff is good but overpriced.

 

[fried1765]

I agree with Smokeydog except that I'd lean towards a little narrower grapple for the L45 size tractor. Maybe the 55" or at most 60." I still say there is just no reason to pay $2300 and more for grapples when good solid ones of the same size and function are readily available under $1500. I am saying the EA stuff is good but overpriced.

I concur!

My grapple was built by Mid State Equipment in Denton, NC.
I have a Kubota L48 (a bit bigger than the L45), and my grapple is 60".

I paid $1,250 including shipping.
It is almost identical to the one shown in the post above.

Mine weighs 500 lbs.
It was not manufactured with grease zerks, but I have corrected that.

 

[JWR]

I concur!

My grapple was built by Mid State Equipment in Denton, NC.
I have a Kubota L48 (a bit bigger than the L45), and my grapple is 60".

I paid $1,250 including shipping.
It is almost identical to the one shown in the post above.

Mine weighs 500 lbs.
It was not manufactured with grease zerks, but I have corrected that.

Yep, mine is Mid State too. There are 2 or 3 mfrs there in/near Denton NC. I misspoke before saying SC. Mine is 66" and do not know the weight but guessing it is a good bit over 500lbs. 700 ? Mine came with grease fittings on all the moving joints. Given your example price point, why in heavens name would someone pay $1000 more than that !!??

 

[PsRumors]

I concur!

My grapple was built by Mid State Equipment in Denton, NC.
I have a Kubota L48 (a bit bigger than the L45), and my grapple is 60".

I paid $1,250 including shipping.
It is almost identical to the one shown in the post above.

Mine weighs 500 lbs.
It was not manufactured with grease zerks, but I have corrected that.

There is no way it is "almost identical" and weighs half the weight, just not possible. I've looked at several $1k grapples and none of them have bushings and greaseable pins, they're using bolts and nylon lock nuts as pins, none of them have the clamps come down on steel, rather they free float.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a $1k grapple that is near identical and weighs half, but I haven't found one and don't see how it is possible

 

[tradosaurus]

I concur!

My grapple was built by Mid State Equipment in Denton, NC.
I have a Kubota L48 (a bit bigger than the L45), and my grapple is 60".

I paid $1,250 including shipping.
It is almost identical to the one shown in the post above.

Mine weighs 500 lbs.
It was not manufactured with grease zerks, but I have corrected that.

I went to the Mid-State website. I would be curious to know the price of their grapples as they want you to call for pricing.


Mid-State Equipment

 

[fried1765]

I went to the Mid-State website. I would be curious to know the price of their grapples as they want you to call for pricing.


Mid-State Equipment

Why not just call'em, and ask'em, that is what I did!

 

[tradosaurus]

Why not just call'em, and ask'em, that is what I did!

Not really that interested since I have a grapple.

 

[fried1765]

There is no way it is "almost identical" and weighs half the weight, just not possible. I've looked at several $1k grapples and none of them have bushings and greaseable pins, they're using bolts and nylon lock nuts as pins, none of them have the clamps come down on steel, rather they free float.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a $1k grapple that is near identical and weighs half, but I haven't found one and don't see how it is possible

Did I say mine weighs "almost half"?
My 60" weighs exactly 500 lbs.!
I added brass bushings & pins with zerks, and it clamps/closes between the lower teeth.
I like it...... for $1250.... delivered.

 

[JWR]

There is no way it is "almost identical" and weighs half the weight, just not possible. I've looked at several $1k grapples and none of them have bushings and greaseable pins, they're using bolts and nylon lock nuts as pins, none of them have the clamps come down on steel, rather they free float.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a $1k grapple that is near identical and weighs half, but I haven't found one and don't see how it is possible

Well, you are wrong in a couple of areas. Accidental English, but the guy fried1765 who said "almost identical" was talking about my posted picture, not your grapple. Misunderstood. I'm sure he was/is correct. Secondly, my grapple cost $1200 plus tax and DOES HAVE solid pins, not bolts, with grease fittings at every moving joint. Anyone who pays $2200 for one of the same general description and type got screwed. If they are happy paying the extra $1000, that's fine with me.

Update: I check my files and I paid $1482.94 incl. tax not $1200 for this 66" Wildkat model grapple made by Mid-State, new, on-site at McGrew Corp. in Seven Valleys PA. They take consignment gear as well as conduct auctions and are not a dealer per se. So I was wrong -- the extra cost some are willing to pay is closer to $800 than $1000. Point remains the same.

 

[tradosaurus]

Well, you are wrong in a couple of areas. Accidental English, but the guy fried1765 who said "almost identical" was talking about my posted picture, not your grapple. Misunderstood. I'm sure he was/is correct. Secondly, my grapple cost $1200 plus tax and DOES HAVE solid pins, not bolts, with grease fittings at every moving joint. Anyone who pays $2200 for one of the same general description and type got screwed. If they are happy paying the extra $1000, that's fine with me.

If yours is the #2 Extreme Root rake grapple at MidState attachments it weighs in at about 800 lbs for the 66". They are closed today but I'm going to take a guess that with steel prices the grapple will go for at least $2400. At the time I bought my 60" Xtreme root rake grapple from Everything attachment is was $2700 (not its about $3100) BUT it weighs in at 420 lbs.

 

[fried1765]

If yours is the #2 Extreme Root rake grapple at MidState attachments it weighs in at about 800 lbs for the 66". They are closed today but I'm going to take a guess that with steel prices the grapple will go for at least $2400. At the time I bought my 60" Xtreme root rake grapple from Everything attachment is was $2700 (not its about $3100) BUT it weighs in at 420 lbs.

I love everything that EA makes, and have two of their attachments.
If I were doing commercial work, or heavy use grapple work, I would likely have bought the EA grapple.
The Mid States Attachments 60" Grapple that I bought (in Dec.) is exactly correct for my light duty use.
My L48 TLB hoe (11' reach) with hyd. thumb, in some situations, is much more useful than any grapple.
I also have EA 4,400 lb. forks.