The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

[sea2summit]

Went a little outside of design specs


Some of the aftermath.

 

[IslandTractor]

The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

Not a kioti...IT wouldn’t be caught on a Deere.

Brett

Kiotis eat Deere

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Went a little outside of design specs
View attachment 528848

Some of the aftermath.
View attachment 528849

Man, those are some TALL pines, huh!
Travis

 

[Laderbuilt]

Re: The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

Yes, I know EA introduced a rake or clamshell type grapple earlier this year. The notable thing about it is the weight. Although in general clamshell style grapples are really only useful for collecting brush, the weight does factor in for subcompacts and compacts with less than 1000lb lift capacity.

The MAJOR downside of a clamshell is that any stick or log that jambs in the hinge will stop the grapple from closing further. If you just need to pick up a single log at a time that is not a big deal but if you are trying to pick up a pile of logs or branches or a combination of types of debris, then the hinge jam will severely limit the size of the load you can secure. Same story with 4n1 buckets when used as grapples.

If you consider two piles of debris and load one with a standard "L" grapple and the other with a clamshell you'll see what I mean. The standard grapple pushes under and into the load and only when the grapple is full do you close the top jaw to hold the load in place. The load is actually resting on the fixed bottom tines so gravity is doing most of the work and the upper jaw simply keeps the load from falling out forwards. With a clamshell you load about the same way but as the bottom tines are very short, the load is held in place not by gravity but by compression of the upper jaw. All fine and dandy unless there is a log or branch in the debris pile that sticks out beyond the hinge. If it does, then NOTHING below that branch/log will be secured and will fall out of the clamshell as soon as you lift it. Been there, done that (with a 4n1).

Clamshells may or may not be better for simply collecting soft bramble type brush but they are definitely not as good as a standard grapple for collecting mixed material of different lengths. Main issue as described is that gravity is your friend with a standard grapple and is your enemy with a clamshell.

I'd get a clamshell if I really had a weak loader (think Kubota BX) but if my loader could lift close to or more than 1000lbs then the standard is more flexible.

Thank you for this post. I have been saving for my grapple and valve setup. I have been debating wether to get a “L” shape grapple or the clamshell. I will be picking up a variety of material but mostly logs, and split fire wood. Still haven’t made a decision but this was good info I haven’t thought of yet

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Re: The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

Thank you for this post. I have been saving for my grapple and valve setup. I have been debating wether to get a 鏑 shape grapple or the clamshell. I will be picking up a variety of material but mostly logs, and split fire wood. Still haven稚 made a decision but this was good info I haven稚 thought of yet

I think you'll be happier with the cradling ability of an L shaped grapple for this application.

This customer has a 66" Dual Lid Wicked Grapple on his Bobcat Toolcat and was really pleased with its firewood grabbing ability.
Travis

 

[Laderbuilt]

Thanks for the pictures. That’s one of the main things I’d be doing.

 

[sd455dan]

Thanks for the pictures. That痴 one of the main things I壇 be doing.

Agree with Ted.. and Island.... L grapples work well for moving logs and even loading/unloading them from trailers

66 inch wide is about what my grapple is also- and it does add some stability for logs or large square bales of hay. not sure I would want to go (much) narrower for most of my uses.

 

[Laderbuilt]

That’s a lot of fire wood. I don’t think my tractor would pick that all up lol. I use a ton of wood in my boiler. I hear a house and barn/workshop that was built in late 1890’s. Due to that keeping up with fire wood is almost a full time endeavor. I used to cut it, split it, stack it. Etc. now I cut it and split it and I to a giant pile wood it goes. This allows me to get more cutting and splitting done since I don’t stack it. I have to cut and split because my wife has to load the furnace when I’m away due to work. So I dream of getting a grapple that lets me grab wood from the pile and move it next to the stove for my wife whilst I’m gone. When I’m home I load the stove using the tractor and forks sliding 3.5ft length logs as big around as I dare. That way she get a solid 24 hours before it needs reloading.

 

[4570Man]

The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

My dream stove is an auger feed chip burner. I can get free chipper chips from tree guys. Then I could feed a hopper with a tractor bucket. That would mean no more cutting firewood and no more handling wood.

 

[onefamilyfarm]

Ordered my 60" single lid today. I have a bunch of brush piles and logs waiting for it.