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

 

[CJONE]

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.

Runs fine on 3/8", the 1/2" would be better for more than 10gpm or if the auger motor was a gear type. The geroller style will handle alot of backpressure, the gear will not. If you notice the poppet in you 1/2" quickcoupler is about the same as 3/8" hose so there is benifit to 1/2" but not much. I have the option of changing at anytime so no big deal for me.CJ

 

[CJONE]

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

View attachment 343884View attachment 343885View attachment 343886View attachment 343887

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.

With more opening it gets the tines away from your head when loading the grapple by hand. [see pics] Wich I do with firewood and to be able to grab larger objects like a stump. The stumps are the biggest problem, I know you don't mess with stuff like that with most compacts but as you know the Kioti has very good lift capacity and I use mine alot for this. I was told by the gent I talked to yesterday you had/have a DK40 so you know what it will pick. With a skidsteer grapple that is in the 800-1k range I loose more lift than I want. As far as the width of the grapple, when digging trees out the wider grapples put too much stress on the loader when popping roots with the edge, even the bucket IMHO is too wide to grub roots with. So after renting a wide one I guess I am the first one to admit it was too wide for my needs. CJ

 

[CJONE]

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

Tom check with a dedicated shop that deals with industrial accounts, they will have better pricing than a automotive shop that carries hyd hose. Also many online shops carry lower quality hose with less impulse ratings, import hose is considerably less$$ but from experience alot of it does not hold up in the extreme applications we have. You are right about the discounts, I can tell you any price I want then discount it. We mark up from cost and that is a fair way to do it. Most are surprised when they come in. CJ

 

[IslandTractor]

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

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=343884"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=343885"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=343886"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=343887"/>

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.

Good points but lift capacity would only be an issue for smaller tractors. A bigger version of your Light Duty for 40+HP CUTs would not suffer. My 48 Millonzi has a 46" opening which is useful for collecting brush and also for big stumps. Maybe use 3/8 mild or high strength steel but keep the single wide lid and the removable slats.

 

[TomSeller]

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.

I agree with you for a tractor like the small 22 HP 1400 lb lift unit that you show. You make a good point at the end, larger tractors may be able to take advantage of the larger opening while staying with the narrower grapple.

To me this "which is the best grapple?" question is kind of like asking "which is the best bucket for my excavator?". My answer to the excavator question would be "it depends what you are wanting to do with it".

Narrow L bottoms have an advantage of maximum lift per lb of grapple weight and per dollar spent. And of best digging ability for small to medium machines.

Wide L bottom grapples have an advantage of maximum total volume capacity and maximum cleanup swath. Think storm cleanup or post dozer cleanup.

Rake grapples have an advantage of forward and back raking, with better root grubbing ability.

So my answer to the question about which is the best grapple would be "it depends what you are wanting to do with it".

 

[shibaura_4043]

Runs fine on 3/8", the 1/2" would be better for more than 10gpm or if the auger motor was a gear type. The geroller style will handle alot of backpressure, the gear will not. If you notice the poppet in you 1/2" quickcoupler is about the same as 3/8" hose so there is benifit to 1/2" but not much. I have the option of changing at anytime so no big deal for me.CJ

Thanks for the info... I will price the 1/2" and if it's not a whole lot more ill upgrade

 

[Piston]

I agree with you for a tractor like the small 22 HP 1400 lb lift unit that you show. You make a good point at the end, larger tractors may be able to take advantage of the larger opening while staying with the narrower grapple. To me this "which is the best grapple?" question is kind of like asking "which is the best bucket for my excavator?". My answer to the excavator question would be "it depends what you are wanting to do with it". Narrow L bottoms have an advantage of maximum lift per lb of grapple weight and per dollar spent. And of best digging ability for small to medium machines. Wide L bottom grapples have an advantage of maximum total volume capacity and maximum cleanup swath. Think storm cleanup or post dozer cleanup. Rake grapples have an advantage of forward and back raking, with better root grubbing ability. So my answer to the question about which is the best grapple would be "it depends what you are wanting to do with it".

Very well stated tom.

 

[Piston]

Good points but lift capacity would only be an issue for smaller tractors.

Good point IT, as you get into the larger CUTs, the difference in weight between narrow/wide or smaller opening/bigger opening is almost irrelevant.

 

[Xfaxman]

I just don't see the need for one to open wider than this: I do, brush isn't very heavy, if it will grab more, it takes less time to move it.

View attachment 343884View attachment 343885View attachment 343886View attachment 343887

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.

Not true, there is another way to make a wider opening, keeping the same bottom tine length.

Raise the pivot point and extend the top tines back down to the lower tines.


Notice how much higher above the SSQA, the top lid pivot rod is, compared to yours.


Show this to your design engineer for the next heavy duty wicked big mouth grapple! :thumbsup:

 

[TomSeller]

Notice how much higher above the SSQA, the top lid pivot rod is, compared to yours.
:

That setup is so bad asss looking. Very nice. Always impressed with your grapples.