Grapple Recommended Grapple for clearing brush and moving logs?

[gwisejr]

Just called EA about getting a 55" wicked root Grapple.. There is a 2 month waiting line. Does anyone have a recommendation for a similar product? I like the lite weight spec and that it looks like to can grab smaller loads. I've not found anything that appears to be similar in construction. I have a Branson 3520H with a BL200 that will handle ~2700lbs but would like to reserve that capacity to moving logs.

Thanks.

 

[gwisejr]

Anyone have a MTL CV- Compact Vertical Tractor Root Grapple? Any reviews or opinions on that one?

 

[oosik]

You might find that your needs are a bit crosswise with grapple design. There are brush grapples and then there are rock/root grapples. Generally speaking it has to do with the length of the tines and the shape of the grapple.

The closest I get to dealing with brush is back dragging to "round up" limbs off the few pines I fall. My rock/root grapple works great in this situation. I use my grapple mainly on LARGE rocks and chunks of Ponderosa pine. My grapple is a Land Pride SGC 1560.

I have no experience with the brand/model you mention.

 

[ruffdog]

For brush and logs, it is nice to have more room to hold items while closed. Something like this one from MTL. If you doing some serious digging and rock picking, then short and stout is good.

https://www.ebay.com/i/163638317683?chn=ps

 

[cholland]

W.R. Long makes one. They are a bit heavier. I don't know how the price compares. Based on recommendations they seem to make a quality product.

I really like the EA grapples too. I may just get in line. Don't need it until this fall anyway.

 

[ericm979]

I have a 60" EA grapple with the long lower tines. The long tines lets it carry more brush. Shorter tines would be better for digging and picking up very heavy logs. With the long tines you have to scoop the log so it's against the back of the grapple. Otherwise it's weight is out at the end of the tines which makes it harder for the loader to curl it up. I've had to drive to my log processing area with the grapple pointing down because while the loader would lift it up, it wouldn't curl it.

I have the older 2100lb loader on my 3725. With Rimguard in the rear tires and a 550lb box blade the rear tires can get pretty light with a full weight load in the grapple. They don't come off the ground though. If you'll be using the full capacity of your BL200 you might want more weight in the rear than that.

 

[Piston]

I have the WR Long OBG-2 grapple and highly recommend it.
Most of what I use it for is small scale land clearing and firewood, but I use it for everything.

See the link in my sig for many pics.

I bought this before EA made grapples but theirs seem good quality as well. They also sell WR Long so you can still give them business.
The weight difference is almost negligible in real world operation.

 

[Rmart30]

The one that Ruffdog posted is what I have and its worked fine for me. I like the longer bottom times for cradling logs and brush piles.

 

[joeu235]

I have a EA grapple for my skid steer and the thing is bullet proof

 

[jjp8182]

I have a 60" EA grapple with the long lower tines. The long tines lets it carry more brush. Shorter tines would be better for digging and picking up very heavy logs. With the long tines you have to scoop the log so it's against the back of the grapple. Otherwise it's weight is out at the end of the tines which makes it harder for the loader to curl it up. I've had to drive to my log processing area with the grapple pointing down because while the loader would lift it up, it wouldn't curl it.

I have the older 2100lb loader on my 3725. With Rimguard in the rear tires and a 550lb box blade the rear tires can get pretty light with a full weight load in the grapple. They don't come off the ground though. If you'll be using the full capacity of your BL200 you might want more weight in the rear than that.

^^^^ This x2. Though my approach when picking things up is usually to lower the grapple onto what I'm picking up so that the grapple hinge is directly over the tree/log/pile of brush. Doing so allows me to use the ground to force more brush into the jaws, and usually get larger things further towards the back of the grapple. Then once I've close the jaws (as much as they will close in some cases) I'll roll the grapple back (without lifting the grapple off the ground) in order to get the load as close to the pivot pins as possible before lifting.

As far as brands go while I have a 66" EA single lid grapple, however, I've also bought buckets from W.R Long and other implements from Land Pride so I personally wouldn't hesitate to buy a grapple from either of them (of either style). When it comes to grapples though it seems most other brands (at least that I've seen) tend to be heavier than EA grapples for similar styles. Actually, at the moment I'm not recalling having seen anyone (other than EA) cut the holes in the grapple plates/ribs to reduce the implement weight.