Grapple Still looking at a grapple....

RobA · May 26, 2005

I posted here a few days ago about an ATI grapple attachment for my FEL bucket. Then I found some others discussed here and on the internet.

Partsman2 posted pictures of his WR Long grapple here on TBN. It really looks effective web link

I also found one made by Worksaver web link

Any opinions? Anyone have experience with the Worksaver grapple? Are there other similar grapples out there?

I know what the ATI attachment and WR Long would cost. Anyone know how much the Worksaver grapple cost?

Thanks for your help.

RedRocker · May 26, 2005

A little over 2K I think.

chrishet · May 27, 2005

Hi RobA, I am tagging along on this post as we too are looking into a grapple for our 5030. We are down to these 2 rakes, 1)WR Long WR Long and 2) Solebee's Solesbee , no order here. The ATI add-on kit was not recommended, by ATI, for the work we have planned for it. We plan on using this for site cleanup on 100 acres (and we have a LOT of work to do!)

The WR Long rake is lighter and can open wider. I got a price of $3000 and that included the hydrolic kit. I need to shop around a bit more for a better price.

The Solesbee rake is heavier, and thus, more heavy duty. They are located here in Atlanta and have been very helpful/fiendly. This is also the rake that my tractor dealer highly recommends. They quoted me 2750 for the rake and 900 for the hydrolic kit.

Good luck!
-Chris

RobA · May 27, 2005

Chris: The more the merrier. Hopefully we all get something out of this. I had a conversation with WR Long yesterday (via email). They told me the list price for the RGB-72 was $2,064 and the list for the electric /hydraulic valve kit was $494. That's $2,558 total. That does not inlclude any freight or installation. I like the way the WR Long grapple opens and think it fits my situation best. It sounds like what I have to do is similar to what you are faced with - except your property is 3 times what I have!

Edhill · May 27, 2005

I have the worksaver grapple on my M6800. Bought it about a year ago. Has held up very well, solid Machine. Have used it for just about everything. From brush removal to picking up hay rolls. I think it was about $1800 to $2000. Would have to dig out the receipt.
Here is a pic

chrishet · May 27, 2005

Thanks for the price RobA. We are leaning towards the WR Long, in fact my dealer is checking his price right now. The Solebee is probably too heavy duty for my needs. One thing I am concerned with is tipping and the extra weight of the Solebee may be problematic. I'll let you know what price he comes up with. They have thier own valve kit, cost lots more then the WR Long, I wonder why?

chrishet · May 27, 2005

BTW, any suggestions on a width? I'm getting a price on a 72 but would a 60 or 66 be a better fit for the 5030....Thanks!

RobA · May 27, 2005

I am going with the 72". Dealer thought that was the right size for the L5030. I do have plenty of ballast though. I have the rear tires filled and either a backhoe or Bush Hog on for added weight.

I just got off the phone with dealer. His price for the 72" WR Long grapple and valve kit (including freight and install) was $2,875.

I think the Worksaver is less expensive. Theirs come in 62" and 77" versions. He is checking prices for me.

He did comment on the valve kit that WR Long has. He was real impressed with the diverter valve. Said they have been looking for one like this for a while.

chrishet · May 27, 2005

Thanks RobA, Just got off the phone with my dealer, he quoted me $2940, looks like we are close..

$2214 for the grapple delivered
$494 + $180 labor (perhaps less) for the valve kit (I do like the look of the WR Long handle, my dealers simply welds on a button to the joy stick).
$52 for Quick Release Valves

I'm pretty much sold on the WR Long now. The weight and extension are big issues to me and the WR Long seems to meet the criteria.

Looks like we'll be placing our tractor order today!!! Pretty much the same setup as your rig. This is what we have so far...

Kubota 5030HST w/R4 Tires
Canopy
Kubota FEL 853
ATI Tooth Bar
Kubota BH90
Bush Hog Box Scrapper, RBX 72inch
Bush Hog MLR72 Landscape Rake w/Gauge Wheels
Bush Hog 286 Mower
TufeLine Disc Harrow TH91620D
Hydrolic Kit for Grappler (546+180 labor)
WR Long Grappling Rake

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am going with the 72". Dealer thought that was the right size for the L5030. I do have plenty of ballast though. I have the rear tires filled and either a backhoe or Bush Hog on for added weight.

I just got off the phone with dealer. His price for the 72" WR Long grapple and valve kit (including freight and install) was $2,875.

I think the Worksaver is less expensive. Theirs come in 62" and 77" versions. He is checking prices for me.

He did comment on the valve kit that WR Long has. He was real impressed with the diverter valve. Said they have been looking for one like this for a while. )</font>

Osconda · May 27, 2005

RobA,

I recently installed a 72" heavy duty root grapple on my NH TC55DA. I got it from www.rootgrapple.com. I paid around $1830 which included shipping from NC to TX. I had extra tines installed which makes the time spacing ~4.5". I also looked at the worksaver grapple and by looking at the design I felt that for my needs it my not do what I wanted. I have some pretty large rocks to move around and I felt that the horizontal bars on the grapple would end up trying to grab the rock instead of the "teeth". Rocks tend to be pretty irregular in shape. If you aren't dealing with rocks then I wouldn't worry about that.

The shipping weight of the grapple is 750 lb. It's considerably heavier than the heavy duty bucket from my loader.

When i first installed the grapple, my tires were not ballasted. I only had a 700 lb. box blade attached and the tail end felt pretty light. I didn't attempt to lift anything without ballasted tires. After ballasting the tires, I was suprised at the size rocks I could pickup. I got a chance to play with it some last nite.

Since the hydraulics are generally the same on the different width grapples, you might want to consider the fact that every pound heavier the grapple weights is one pound less of material you could lift. If you're using it for brush work though, I'd go with a wide one.

I already had two SCVs on my tractor so I just had a couple of hydraulic hoses made with quick couplers to go from the SCV to the 5' hoses supplied with the grapple. Having a button on the loader joystick though would be handy since then you wouldn't have to release to engage the SCV for the grapple.

I know the grapple is "skid steer" compatible when it comes to the attachment scheme. I believe JD and KUB are not skid steer compatible, but that is just what I've heard. I'm pretty sure the guys at Unlimited Fabrication know whats involved in building you one that will fit your tractor.

Have a great Memorial Day! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif