Looking at a grapple- right size for my tractor?

[Pete O]

Hello all, I've been looking with a lot of envy at all you guys in the US with grapples on your FELs. I do a lot of firewood and some tree clearing on my property and seem to have spent the last 20 years throwing branches onto a trailer, towing them to a burn pile and throwing them off again. A root grapple similar to the 'wicked' is VERY high on my wish list but they don't seem to be available here (Australia) the only thing that does come up on the used market occasionally is flat-floored grapple buckets for skid-steers and they go for more than I would be prepared to spend for something that is not quite what I'm after.

Finally a proper root-grapple has appeared at an auction house not too far from me, it's an unused 72" root grapple that appears very similar to the wicked, it is badged with the name of an earthmoving hire company so I expect it has been made to their spec for their skid-steer hire fleet but is being sold on as they probably didn't have the demand for it.
I'm planning to go and inspect it tomorrow but I'm not sure if it might be a bit over-sized for my tractor; I have a Ford 4100 of about 1971 vintage, 67hp, rebuild of the tractor is in this thread https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/386813-general-freshen-up-1967-ford.html the hydraulics are all good with a new pump and I am currently rebuilding the FEL to go back on. The badge on the grapple gives an attachment weight of 348kg which is a little over 700 pounds. Wondering if you guys think that might be biting off a little more than my tractor can chew?

 

[metalbender]

If it is too big, you can always shorten up the sides to make a better fit for your tractor. An angle grinder with a cutting disc will do it easily. Built my own from parts reclaimed off old farm equipment. Only 48 inches wide, doesn't open as wide as commercial ones, but makes short work of digging rocks and hauling brush.

 

[i7win7]

TractorData.com Ford 41 tractor attachments information
Lift to full height (at pin): 2040 lbs [925 kg]
Does it have SSQA?

 

[rswyan]

Does it have 4WD ?

If not, you may be limited somewhat, in what the grapple can do.

 

[Pete O]

The tractor is only 2wd. I recognise this is a significant limitation but it's what I have to work with.
I don't have SSQA- the grapple I'm looking at does- but I am in the fortunate position of being able to put whatever system I choose to on the tractor as i am currently in the process of rebuilding it, including adding a double-link system to increase the roll back / forward angle. I was originally planning to put an old JD style quick-attach system on the loader, as i bought a new-old-stock bucket with that system on it, but I'm reconsidering that as it seems a bit light-duty for this size tractor. The skidsteer system looks very user-friendly.
Based on those figures from Tractor Data.com, I guess the loader will still have reasonable lifting capacity with a 348kg grapple on there.
Anyhow I plan to drive down and have a look at this grapple today.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Extra Width can just add weight, cost and be a real pain when trying to work in uneven ground. Isn't it always? Really no need at all to have it the ouside width of the front tires. Sometimes the one you can gt the best deal on is the right width.

I would NEVER get another single lid grapple for what I use mine for again. Trees, stumps, large rocks. It's always trying to bend and buckle to accomodate the odd shaped load.

 

[RSR]

Extra Width can just add weight, cost and be a real pain when trying to work in uneven ground. Isn't it always? Really no need at all to have it the ouside width of the front tires. Sometimes the one you can gt the best deal on is the right width.

I would NEVER get another single lid grapple for what I use mine for again. Trees, stumps, large rocks. It's always trying to bend and buckle to accomodate the odd shaped load.

That's precisely why I think for a wide root grapple is less than ideal for a lot of tasks. I am a big advocate of the Igland GR20/Frostbite style grapples. I see the narrower width as a big plus when trying to pick most odd sized stuff up, as you are less likely to torque/twist your loader. They are also roughly half the weight, and about 1/3 the price.

 

[fried1765]

That's precisely why I think for a wide root grapple is less than ideal for a lot of tasks. I am a big advocate of the Igland GR20/Frostbite style grapples. I see the narrower width as a big plus when trying to pick most odd sized stuff up, as you are less likely to torque/twist your loader. They are also roughly half the weight, and about 1/3 the price.

I primarily need a medium duty root grapple for brush gathering.
I think a wheel width grapple (66") will be perfect for me.

If something is very heavy, or odd shaped, I'll use my backhoe w/thumb, or my EA 4400# forks.

 

[snakebitten]

You will be happy with a grapple purchase. I purchased a 6ft ArmstrongAg's Brush Rake Grapple for my JD about 4-5 years ago, no issues other than replacing a couple hydraulic hoses. Best wishes on you purchase!

 

[ericm979]

4wd will be wanted if you're picking up a log and backing up an incline. I don't need 4wd all the time. The Branson is heavy for it's power and I have the rear tires loaded and put a box blade on the back when using the grapple (or I leave the 1000lb PTO chipper on).

That grapple sounds like it is heavier and wider than you need. It's remarkable how fast I can use up the loader's capacity with an 8' long log. My loader's got 2100lbs capacity. I find that I often exceed the capacity of the curl circuit before I exceed the lift capacity. If I mostly picked up large logs a lighter grapple that kept the log as close to the loader pins as possible would reduce that. The root grapple is a compromise that works ok for logs and brush.