New grapple pics

BJN644 · Apr 28, 2009

My new Markham grapple arrived yesterday and I got to play with it a little. I had everthing ready to go when it arrived and I wanted to give Island Tractor a special thanks for the great deal on the SS adapter and DHH for a great deal on hydraulic hoses and fittings. I purchased the rear hydraulic kit from my local dealer and that was fairly easy to install. I did have the dealer remove the detent balls in the valve so the control lever wouldn't lock.

Oleozz · Apr 28, 2009

You are going to get some work done with that setup. Looks great.

IslandTractor · Apr 28, 2009

BJN644 said:
I wanted to give Island Tractor a special thanks for the great deal on the SS adapter

I thought that looked familiar!

dex3361 · Apr 28, 2009

That is a nice looking set up. What size/model is it and if you dont mind what was the cost including shipping? I am thinking of either making a grapple or buying one I will have to compare costs and if I build one it will not be as nice as the one that you have.

BJN644 · Apr 29, 2009

dex3361 said:
That is a nice looking set up. What size/model is it and if you dont mind what was the cost including shipping? I am thinking of either making a grapple or buying one I will have to compare costs and if I build one it will not be as nice as the one that you have.

The grapple is Markham Welding's 48" light duty grapple rake (light duty is an understatment) I had bottom spacer tines added ($100 dollar option) I told them I did not want the flat face hydraulic couplers they usally supply but I did want the hyd. hose. They are offering 1/2 price shipping right now, the whole package delivered to Maine was $1018.00.

HCJtractor · Apr 29, 2009

You will love your grapple! Mine is two months old and I really have gotten my money's worth out of it. One surprise is how well it digs. I have been trying to change the slope of dirt roads to improve drainage, building water bars and channels to divert water off the road. I use the grapple to remove trees and roots and the box blade to grade and move dirt and clay. I have found that I can take a big bite of soil with the grapple and carry it to a spot I am trying to build up. I can get more "bite" with the grapple than with a toothed bucket. This helps to lower the soil level quickly and allows the box blade to work faster to lower the grade. Try it as it works amazingly well. I have the closer spacers like you have and most dirt will stay in without falling through unless its really sandy.