Grapple New Markham Toothbar - now add a Grapple or get a 4n1?

[MadReferee]

Thanks for the picture. It does explain it perfectly. Have you found many uses for the hooks after you installed the grapple? I chained some large fence posts to the bucket, as well as some logs. I wasn’t sure that after adding the grapple, that I would need the hooks as much.

I use the hooks for attaching a chain to lift things. It spreads out the weight. I would not use the grapple to either lift or pull things. That what hooks and a good chain are for. The grapple is there to hold something in place in the bucket.

 

[Glowplug]

Mad, that's an absolutely beautiful setup. I would recommend a grapple over a 4-in-1. A 4-in-1 is truly a useful piece of equipment for excavating but a grapple is a useful piece of equipment for oh so much. It's very versatile. That' exactly the way I want to set up my bucket when I get my tractor. I am going to put a toothbar on and a grapple with some chain hooks. With a set up like that there's almost nothing you can't accomplish.

 

[IslandTractor]

A 4-in-1 is truly a useful piece of equipment for excavating but a grapple is a useful piece of equipment for oh so much. It's very versatile. That' exactly the way I want to set up my bucket when I get my tractor. I am going to put a toothbar on and a grapple with some chain hooks. With a set up like that there's almost nothing you can't accomplish.

If you can only have one, a bucket with grapple attachment is the way to go. However, if you can get a QA adapter on your loader then the combination of a true grapple plus a 4n1 both with skid steer mounts would be heaven and it would be easy to switch them out. A bucket with a grapple and toothbar is a compromise. You cannot see through the bucket so you are limited in how carefully you can position the grapple. The toothbar makes back dragging a bit more complicated. Also, the bucket sides reduce the load you can grapple considerably. I'm not knocking the bucket grapples...they are nice, but be aware of the compromises. If I were choosing I'd spend less on the tractor and go with the QA plus both implements to have a more useful machine.

 

[dmccarty]

Mike,

I have a 4n1 bucket. I surely would NOT want just a regular bucket. The 4n1 does so much more. I did not get a grapple when I bought the tractor in 2000 since I don't think I knew about them. For moving brush piles a grabble would be better than a 4n1 just because I think it could grab more stuff. But a 4n1 does a lot more so I think I would still buy a 4n1 over a grabble if I had to only have one.

I don't understand the comments about 4n1's being difficult/hard to take off the tractor. To take my bucket off I pop the quick disconnect hydraulic lines and pull two pins. Lower and back away. Not hard and takes no time. I swap between the 4n1 and pallet forks all of the time. So I must be missing something about those comments.

I moved ALOT of brush piles with the 4n1. It would have gone slightly faster with a grabble but not that much faster. If I have brush to move now I use the pallet forks. They can hold alot more than the grabble bucket. I might have to load some of the wood by hand but what takes time for me is traveling to the burn pile. Not loading.

The pallet forks are something I should have bought with the tractor. I use them ALOT.

A 4n1 and pallet forks can do a bunch of work. I have pallet forks that attach like the 4n1 to the FEL arms not to the bucket.

Later,
Dan

 

[MikeB44]

Dan,

Have you used the 4n1 for moving manure? We will be rebuilding a barn for some livestock and horses and I was wondering if the 4n1 would be helpful in cleaning the stalls (by opening the jaws and then closing down around the pile).

Someone who has bulldozed out trees for me said that his horse barn was built to allow easy manure cleanup. The sidewalls between the stalls swing like gates (including the outer walls) and he drives straight through the stalls with his tractor, plowing out the manure with his bucket.

I have tried to move a pile of manure for the few animals (donkey, llama, 2 goats) we have now and have generally just spreads the pile out (not getting much in the bucket –unless I also get a good bit of dirt with it). My thought on the 4n1 has led me to believe that I could open the jaws of the bucket and then close down around the pile.

My problem might lie in not having enough manure volume to deal with to get a filled bucket. Horses, I’m sure, would help with that problem.

To all – thanks for your help. I believe I will look for a skid steer QA adaptor for use with other implements for the tractor. I am also thinking about installing rear hydraulics for use with a grapple or 4n1. I might then be able to rent both a 4n1 and grapple and try them out before I buy. (I did call Millonzi and have asked for a quote on QA adaptor & root grapple.)

Thanks again,

Mike

 

[IslandTractor]

Regarding the Millonzi grapple: It is the least expensive full grapple I have seen and I like mine a lot. Other TBNers have contacted me about pricing and that is confusing. I got mine via ebay where they list the grapples a couple times a month. When they list them, you can get them for $695 "buy it now" pricing plus shipping from Ohio. Oddly, several people have been given a price of $900 when they call the Millonzi company directly. Don't know what is going on there but consider going the eBay route for a discount. If buying from your local dealer it may be more which is understandable as the dealer is adding some value but I don't understand two different prices from Millonzi. As mentioned, I got mine the eBay way and it was easy. I ended up talking to the guys at the factory after winning the ebay auction (mine was a true auction) and added a couple other implements (forks, tree boom) to the order and saved on separate shipping costs. I had mine delivered to a nearby FedEx freight terminal for a pretty reasonable cost. I then just rented a Uhaul trailer and FedEx used a fork lift to load them up for me.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I bought the 48" Millonzi grapple just now for $645 directly from them, based on IslandTractor's experience. Haven't been able to use it yet, but it looks like a nice piece of equipment.

I got the ATI QA mount for my b3030, and had my bucket modified with a QA plate. Looks like it'll make dropping the bucket much easier. Also got QA pallet forks (surprised me how useful they are), and a QA low flow Hydraulic post hole digger - nice to have it QA, in front, and reversible.

I also bought a QA blank and have ordered the HF 3 point quick hitch. I'm planning on getting the quick hitch welded to the blank, and then using the combo to run some implements on the ront - seems like raking might be easier, and having a rear blade set up like a snowplow for snow

All in, I'm surprised more tractor companies don't move to QA for their loaders. Useful system