Grapple questions about choice of root grapple

[IslandTractor]

I’m getting the 60” model. It’s more important to me to be able to clear the width of the tractor than how big a root ball I can dig with it. I will never be trying to compete with you guys! Plus it gives me a pretty good idea if I am going to hit the CAB! Ninety-five percent of the time it will be carrying, not “grubbing” so that’s the right style and width for me. A friend has the 48" WildKat and short of a quick attach problem that he welded on some shims for, he has been pleased. Many on here are more than happy with theirs.

I just felt the MIE, though more expensive is a better unit suited well to my needs and I liked the people. They answered all my questions, it was shipped on Tuesday and arrives tomorrow. Plus it already painted the right color……

QAG60S Hound Dog Attachments Grapples Single Top Grapples

That is an interesting hybrid design. Certainly looks well built. I wonder why they chose to use such short bottom tines? Looks very sturdy but will probably not have quite the capacity of a more traditional OBG/Millonzi/Markham/Wildkat nor will it dig as well. Really solid though.

 

[94BULLITT]

I read the same posts. That was one reason I bought the GATOR... North American Implements. These are pretty solid units and the Econo's come in either 48" or 60" for about the same price as a WildKat.

Which grapple did you get from them?

 

[JD 4520]

I have to second Whitedogone. The 48 Wildkat should be perfect for your machine. I have a 4720 (60HP) and it works very well. With 60 horse could I wreck it? Probably but common sense keeps me out of trouble. Great value. I use it for brush, bucking logs and its handled its share of stumps. One of my kids has it now on his 2520 doing clean up-check my avatar and attached pix as I ordered it without Deere hooks and put my own on.

Why did you decide to add your own Deere hooks? Was it price or quality or what?

 

[JD 4520]

You can take IT's recommendations to the bank. But....I aint so sure he's picked up the biggest ever load of brush.....I gotta dig thru my pics......I didn't know there was a contest.

Sometimes I pick up whole pine trees.....and if not balanced right....I get concerned about twisting the loader. Some of those trees can be pretty heavy and there is allot of leverage. Short sections like shown here are no big deal.

Which model grapple do you have on that green machine?

 

[smilinjak]

Thanks, smilinjak. I appreciate the info. I have looked at the CA 60. I think I have settled on the W. R. Long 56" or 48" version. The Long 56" is very similar to the CA version, for about the same price, but it has a 44" jaw opening, plus I won't have to mess with the hydraulics because our FEL has a Long 4N1 bucket with presumably identical hydraulic hookups. You definitely have my attention about rear wheel spacers. I tried to look up Tracks Co on the Internet and couldn't find them, so I'll call or email. Our L3800 is a hair over 60" outside to outside on the rear wheels. We traded in a Kubota M5400 on which I had both the front and rear wheels set to the maximum width for stability. The L3800 doesn't offer any options for more width, so I would be interested in the spacer idea. Do you have the spacers on your 3800? If so, how much width did you gain? I'll follow up. Thanks again.

Rbtjr: I have the spacers on hand but due to wife's illness requiring all my free time for the last several weeks I have not installed them. As for width increase that can be what ever you want, from 2 1/2 inches up in 1/2 inch increments. Christian Hanson can give you some advise on that. He is very patient and knowledgeable. I chose 3 inches as the best compromise for me. Once installed I should have a 66 inch rear tread width. Not so wide as to over stress bearings or castings in the rear drive housing but wide enough for stable footing on my varied terrain. Also gives me clearance for chains when we get snow. My driveway is 12% grade and even loaded R4's don't grab our wet snows very well.
You are going to like that grapple! !
Smilinjak

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Ted from everythingattachments.com has a youtube showing
his wares in action. That is about it on YouTube. I would love
to see some real world grapple usage in real word conditions.
Not just picking up piles of branches, they all will do that what
I am having a hard time determining is whos unit works best
w/ the front lower tines actually digging into the dirt and
ripping out "Roots" .

You can also order ours to match your tractor!!
Here's the video. It's more costly than some others on the market, but you'll appreciate it over time!!

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I also made a video with a more in-depth description for you guys.

 

[foggy1111]

Which model grapple do you have on that green machine?

I've got a 48" Gator....that was built right when Gator was taking over Markham (I thought I had bought from Markham).

One thing about all these models from Gator / Markham / Wildcat or the predessors....is to MAKE CERTAIN they install the JD QD attachements correctly. Mine did not have the gussets to properly support the top hooks and I lost my grapple as a result of the hooks opening and damaged my loader to the tune of a few hundred dollars. I see lots of other folks without the gussets too. BAD NEWS!

The JD 300cx loader can really lift and those long tines really apply some pressure to the mounts.....MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE JD GUSSETS INSTALLED if you buy a JD QD grapple from these companies. Look at any John Deere bucket to compare the gussets at the top hooks. You have been warned!!

 

[JD 4520]

I've got a 48" Gator....that was built right when Gator was taking over Markham (I thought I had bought from Markham).

One thing about all these models from Gator / Markham / Wildcat or the predessors....is to MAKE CERTAIN they install the JD QD attachements correctly. Mine did not have the gussets to properly support the top hooks and I lost my grapple as a result of the hooks opening and damaged my loader to the tune of a few hundred dollars. I see lots of other folks without the gussets too. BAD NEWS!

The JD 300cx loader can really lift and those long tines really apply some pressure to the mounts.....MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE JD GUSSETS INSTALLED if you buy a JD QD grapple from these companies. Look at any John Deere bucket to compare the gussets at the top hooks. You have been warned!!

Very helpful warning. You stated, make sure the JD QD is installed correctly. How was it initially installed and what did you have to do to correct it? It would almost seem that if Gator doesn't know what they are doing, don't order this product unless I want to have it modified before I use it.

On another note, that may be the reason why others have opted to order without any QD and install their own. Seems like the manufacturer would get the hint.

Thanks again

 

[IslandTractor]

I also made a video with a more in-depth description for you guys.
Video Link: http://youtu.be/-moXcIklQpU

Nice video and well constructed grapple. However, why is 66" the smallest size you offer when other manufacturers sell 48" versions that are well accepted by the CUT community? As you must know if you have read this thread, there are significant advantages to a lightweight 48" size single arm grapple especially for tractors under 40hp and even for larger CUTs. Your offered sizes show these are really just knock offs of skidsteer grapples with little thought given to the differences in how CUTs and skidsteers are used. Why not give your customers the choice of an identically built narrower version with a single upper arm? Use the same templates etc etc just make it narrower. If you outsource this grapple from Construction Attachments (who have far more skidsteer focus and treat the CUT market as an afterthought), why not ask them to build you a "CUT special" 48" version. The bottom half of your current grapple is identical in construction to my 48" Millonzi and your upper arm is much improved over mine. Make up a prototype and I'll test it for you!!!

Your business is better organized and marketed than some of the other 48" grapple manufacturers so there is an opportunity out there to exploit. Build a better 48" light duty and you'll add jobs for the economy. It's your patriotic duty!

 

[IslandTractor]

You can take IT's recommendations to the bank. But....I aint so sure he's picked up the biggest ever load of brush.....I gotta dig thru my pics......I didn't know there was a contest.

Sometimes I pick up whole pine trees.....and if not balanced right....I get concerned about twisting the loader. Some of those trees can be pretty heavy and there is allot of leverage. Short sections like shown here are no big deal.

We'll need a contest for 1) largest mouthful of plain brush, 2) largest whole tree, 3) largest rock, and 4)??? largest Jersey Barrier piece. Perhaps we will also need HP categories such as under 30hp, 30-40hp, 40-50hp etc.

Here are my entries in the under 30 and 40-50hp categories (some previously posted):

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Nice video and well constructed grapple. However, why is 66" the smallest size you offer when other manufacturers sell 48" versions that are well accepted by the CUT community? As you must know if you have read this thread, there are significant advantages to a lightweight 48" size single arm grapple especially for tractors under 40hp and even for larger CUTs. Your offered sizes show these are really just knock offs of skidsteer grapples with little thought given to the differences in how CUTs and skidsteers are used. Why not give your customers the choice of an identically built narrower version with a single upper arm? Use the same templates etc etc just make it narrower. If you outsource this grapple from Construction Attachments (who have far more skidsteer focus and treat the CUT market as an afterthought), why not ask them to build you a "CUT special" 48" version. The bottom half of your current grapple is identical in construction to my 48" Millonzi and your upper arm is much improved over mine. Make up a prototype and I'll test it for you!!!


Your business is better organized and marketed than some of the other 48" grapple manufacturers so there is an opportunity out there to exploit. Build a better 48" light duty and you'll add jobs for the economy. It's your patriotic duty!

We do offer the compact root grapples from 54" to 72".
I agree with you and will most likely offer a 48" with a single clam shell when we start making our own since there is a known demand for them.

 

[IslandTractor]

We do offer the compact root grapples from 54" to 72".
I agree with you and will most likely offer a 48" with a single clam shell when we start making our own since there is a known demand for them.

450lbs and dual upper arms for the 54" version is overkill. Same basic quality with a 48" and single upper grapple at 350lbs and with pricing at the $1200-1300 range with your usual "free" shipping and you'd be selling them like hotcakes. Figure out a fair west coast delivery charge and you'd sell even more.

You'd save a lot of weight just removing the second upper arm but you could also cut down a bit on the size of the bottom tines. I've included photos of my Millonzi bottom tines. Same style cut from a single piece of 3/8" plate as yours. I don't think the Millonzi tines are quite as big though. They are as straight and true today as when I received it 7 years ago and I've used it aggressively with a DK40se tractor that weighs 6000+ and lifts 2700lbs. I often lift the rear wheels off the ground while digging stumps without doing any damage to the bottom tines. The upper grapple arm on my Millonzi is a bit too light for the abuse I have dished out and it has some battle scars and bends but it still works fine. Cross bracing on mine with just a couple of pipe pieces is not great. The Construction Attachments upper grapple is IMO a bit over built but is basically a nice design. Could save some weight and steel there too without any serious compromise.

 

[Artisan]

snip

Figure out a fair west coast delivery charge and you'd sell even more.

snip.

The shipping fees KILL sales for us Best Coasters !

 

[EverythingAttachments]

The shipping fees KILL sales for us Best Coasters !

Quoted from our website on ALL Construction Attachments root grapples:
"Free Shipping within Continental USA!" to a commercial business or supporting freight terminal!!!!!

For even more piece of mind, I can send anything on our website in the 500 pound range to a commercial business in your zip code(assuming it is 91016) or the freight terminal in Los Angeles for around $100.
The rates differ for certain areas that aren't near a major city but sounds pretty good in your case!
So no matter where you are in the US, don't hesitate to give us a try.

 

[Artisan]

Quoted from our website on ALL Construction Attachments root grapples:
"Free Shipping within Continental USA!" to a commercial business or supporting freight terminal!!!!!

For even more piece of mind, I can send anything on our website in the 500 pound range to a commercial business in your zip code(assuming it is 91016) or the freight terminal in Los Angeles for around $100.
The rates differ for certain areas that aren't near a major city but sounds pretty good in your case!
So no matter where you are in the US, don't hesitate to give us a try.

Thanx for the claification Ted, all's I ever see on your site is Free Shipping Within 1000 miles.

 

[Deerherd]

Well it showed up today UPS freight, two days after placing the order. It was packaged well on a pallet and looks great. Now I am going to go "grapple" something.....:thumbsup:

 

[94BULLITT]

Well it showed up today UPS freight, two days after placing the order. It was packaged well on a pallet and looks great. Now I am going to go "grapple" something.....:thumbsup:

View attachment 281470View attachment 281471View attachment 281472

It looks nice.

 

[JD 4520]

Well it showed up today UPS freight, two days after placing the order. It was packaged well on a pallet and looks great. Now I am going to go "grapple" something.....:thumbsup:

looks great! What brand / model is "it"?

 

[Artisan]

Sure does look robust...
I would love to see some UTubes of it in action!
Post #7 he declares what it is.