Root Grapple

[Dunmovin]

Leaning towards a Kioti DK45SE with a 401 FEL. As we have a bush block and anticipate a lot of clearing trying to get a decent Root Grapple attachment. Have looked at Horst Welding version for about C$2300 with two independent hydraulic grapple arms and the Unlimited Fabrications in NC which is only $1300 with a single grapple and seems overall a little lighter construction.

Would appreciate any advice or experience people have with either or any alternatives that might be avaiable.

Txs

Dunmovin

 

[kattywumpus]

I own a Kioti DK40SE with a 401 FEL and use a Gator 60 light duty grapple. It worked great for me and I have moved a lot of brush and logs. See the attached picture.

A lot has already been written about this issue. Here's one discussion:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/189738-heavier-grapple-not-1.html
You can also search for posting by InlandTractor, he the Grapple Guru. Happy reading!

 

[TractorTidy]

Cattywampus, how did you plumb in your grapple, to the rear hydraulics? And to the first poster (Dunmovin), try CID in NC, the are an approved vendor for Kioti w/ their grapples and buckets. CIDattachments.com.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I got a 48" Gator grapple rake a year ago and used it a lot for piling brush, uprooting trees and moving logs in the woods. Although I managed to put a slight twist in the grapple, I don't blame the manufacturer for that.
I would like to know: what is it about North Carolina that so many of these things are made there?

BOB

 

[kattywumpus]

Cattywampus, how did you plumb in your grapple, to the rear hydraulics? And to the first poster (Dunmovin), try CID in NC, the are an approved vendor for Kioti w/ their grapples and buckets. CIDattachments.com.

Yes, I when cheap for the time being and used the rear remotes. It's not really that difficult to use since the control lever is beside the FEL control lever. CID is a good company too. I have their QA roll top snowplow. Here a review of the plow:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/196104-cid-96-x-treme-roll.html

I used the front hydraulics for both the grapple and snowplow.

I purchased both the grapple and snowplow through Jeb Supply Co. See the review for Jeb contract information. Believe it or not I found that Jim @ Jeb Supply Co can get a better price then buying direct. He just sell so much equipment he gets a better price.

Children like presents under the tree, I prefer the ones that come by freight! :thumbsup:

 

[steve0413]

I also have the 60" Gator grapple made by Markham. The price was BY FAR the lowest I could find anywhere. Even though it is considered "light-duty", don't let that fool you. It is plenty enough heavy-duty for my DK45se and I don't believe you'd want any more weight on your FEL than this one.

It only has one light-duty cylinder for closing the jaws. At first I was concerned about that, but in reality, the top jaw is just for holding objects and it is plenty for that. I have amazed myself and several others as to what all this grapple can do. I like it and HIGHLY recommend it. Plus you'll enjoy working with the Markham folks.

 

[Dunmovin]

I also have the 60" Gator grapple made by Markham. The price was BY FAR the lowest I could find anywhere. Even though it is considered "light-duty", don't let that fool you. It is plenty enough heavy-duty for my DK45se and I don't believe you'd want any more weight on your FEL than this one.

It only has one light-duty cylinder for closing the jaws. At first I was concerned about that, but in reality, the top jaw is just for holding objects and it is plenty for that. I have amazed myself and several others as to what all this grapple can do. I like it and HIGHLY recommend it. Plus you'll enjoy working with the Markham folks.

Steve

Your right on the price - they are by far theta cheapest and the products look good. Only downside is that they don't ship to Canada which surprises me when you consider the costs that people are paying for similar equipment here but it's easy enough to arrange and there's no duty.

Many thanks for advice and recommendation (going with the 60" grapple and a Stump Grapple)

Dunmovin

 

[rd_macgregor]

Steve

Your right on the price - they are by far theta cheapest and the products look good. Only downside is that they don't ship to Canada which surprises me when you consider the costs that people are paying for similar equipment here but it's easy enough to arrange and there's no duty.

Many thanks for advice and recommendation (going with the 60" grapple and a Stump Grapple)

Dunmovin

Not shipping to Canada must be a new (and unfortunate) thing. Last spring, while they were still making the transition from Markham to Gator and Melissa was on the phone, I had not trouble at all getting mine delivered to PEI.
BOB

 

[rd_macgregor]

The posting about shipping reminded me about another issue I had with the Markham/Gator grapple. When I removed the shipping label, it tore off the paint underneath, so I had to dig out the rattle can of black and touch it up! I couldn't decide whether it was inadequate surface prep or really super-duper label glue that was the problem. Of course, I've knocked a lot of the paint off in the woods, since, so its a pretty picky comment!
BOB

 

[IslandTractor]

I have a 48 inch Millonzi (no longer made) that is very similar to the Gator/exMarkham. Might even be a lighter build. I beat the crap out of it and it still keeps going. A little more snaggletoothed then when I got it but it works just fine. My single favorite and most important implement in clearing land. It is mounted 75% of the time.

Main point in maintaining a grapple is to use it to dig and lift but not to twist it by putting asymmetric loads on it. You cannot hurt the grapple by lifting or pushing straight with a DK40se.