Need help deciding on a grapple

[TomSeller]

I bought my hoses local, but after I posted my last reply, started searching. Check here. Surplus Center

Yes, the local hydraulic shops are often very, very expensive. Buy on line and go to the local shops for the odd fittings you want to eyeball. Sorry if any of you own a hydraulic shop. They seem to list things at x5 the online price and then give you a break to x3 the price. Just my $0.02

 

[TomSeller]

that's a good point CJONE.. I will likely purchase an auger in the future, does your auger run good on 3/8" hose? I might save my self the headache of a redo and run 1/2" if necessary to run a hydraulic motor more effectively.

I also use 1/2" because I have a Hydraulic posthole auger I mount on the FEL. At some point I am going to fit my hydraulic flail mower onto my FEL. Both of these have hydraulic motors of course so I went with 1/2". For straight grapple cylinders if you look at the hoses that come from some manufacturers there is only a pencil sized orifice in them anyway. You don't need 1/2" hose for that.

 

[Guesseral]

I have narrowed my search down to 4 different models the first three are from ebay and are Titan brand and would like some feedback.... on the quality

this model is really a good price and I was hoping someone can attest to the quality of the unit

48" Grapple Bucket Tractor Brush Root Kubota Mahindra Rake Skid Steer Bobcat | eBay

this option is reasonable but a bit more only reason for the option is due to the dual grapple arms

60

this option is on the list because it offers a bit more width at a reasonable price

60" Grapple Bucket Tractor Brush Kubota Mahindra Rake Skid Steer Bobcat Root | eBay

and this option is the one at RCO it is built pretty solid but he is firm on 1375.00 which is a little high compared to Titans.

Root Grapple Attachment - Light Duty - NAI

If the units are not on back order at the ebay store Im leaning toward the 48" mainly due to the cost savings... but I was hoping someone has the titan brand 48" and can give a review of their experience with it.... thanks

I have the 60" rake style Titan Grapple and a set of 42" Titan forks the quality is very good I have no complaints. I want to get another grapple an L style and the 4' Titan is on my list, I am also interested in the new EA 50" that they are making but the pricing isn't out yet so I will see. One thing about the Titan units is that they are very reasonable in price, I also like the flat faced couplings they come with, but they are heavy and every lb they weigh is less you can lift, but you have a lot more lifting capacity than I do so that may not matter to you.

Edit:
Almost forgot go here

48" LW Root Grapple Bucket $920.00 | Grapple Bucket Attachments | 48" LW Grapple Bucket | palletforks.com

and you can read more about the Titans it is the same place. And I doubt if they are on backorder they are pretty good with inventory and shipping at least for me and several others I have heard about is great.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Any of those grapples you listed should get the job done. But, for any of them I'd look at welding some heavy wire mesh on the front or back of the mounting plate to keep brush from poking through and getting to your tractor's grill.

Wire mesh would provide protection but still give you plenty of visibility through it.

 

[terryknight]

i agree with pappy

 

[IslandTractor]

I would make sure that a light duty grapple had 3/8" tines (or 1/4 high strength), 1/4" thick top tube, max 9" intertine distance, ideally jaw opening over 40". Nothing else really matters that much. My ideal right now for a 40+hp tractor would be a modified EA light duty style with 3/8" tines, 46" jaw opening. Of note, the grapple in my avatar is no longer made but other than changing the upper jaw to the EA style and adding the EA type extra removable tines it is pretty much perfect.

 

[jcummins]

I would make sure that a light duty grapple had 3/8" tines (or 1/4 high strength), 1/4" thick top tube, max 9" intertine distance, ideally jaw opening over 40". Nothing else really matters that much. My ideal right now for a 40+hp tractor would be a modified EA light duty style with 3/8" tines, 46" jaw opening. Of note, the grapple in my avatar is no longer made but other than changing the upper jaw to the EA style and adding the EA type extra removable tines it is pretty much perfect.

I had 1/2" tines on the one in Texas, and that's what I'll do again.

The mesh idea on the back of the grapple is a good idea. I'll probably do that, however, I had a lot more trouble of stuff getting into the grill when pushing stuff with the bucket. Once I got the grapple, I can't recall it happen during it's use.

 

[jcummins]

I would make sure that a light duty grapple had 3/8" tines (or 1/4 high strength), 1/4" thick top tube, max 9" intertine distance, ideally jaw opening over 40". Nothing else really matters that much. My ideal right now for a 40+hp tractor would be a modified EA light duty style with 3/8" tines, 46" jaw opening. Of note, the grapple in my avatar is no longer made but other than changing the upper jaw to the EA style and adding the EA type extra removable tines it is pretty much perfect.

I had 1/2" tines on the one in Texas, and that's what I'll do again.

The mesh idea on the back of the grapple is a good idea. I'll probably do that, however, I had a lot more trouble of stuff getting into the grill when pushing stuff with the bucket. Once I got the grapple, I can't recall it happen during it's use.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I just don't see the need for one to open wider than this:



If it opened wider, the lid would have to be taller and the bottom tines would have to extend out further from the tractor, which would extend the tractor's center of gravity and lessen the lift capacity.
This would be a disadvantage, especially when pinching logs or heavy debris with a small compact tractor.......maybe not so much with a larger tractor.

 

[CJONE]

Any of those grapples you listed should get the job done. But, for any of them I'd look at welding some heavy wire mesh on the front or back of the mounting plate to keep brush from poking through and getting to your tractor's grill.

Wire mesh would provide protection but still give you plenty of visibility through it.

Look at my pics, walkway grating. Hard to bend and tough. Screen or expanded metal it not strong enough. CJ