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

[EverythingAttachments]

Wicked Root Grapple version 1.0 at work (which is also kind of a demo of how to grapple stuff).

Great operator skills as always! Just watching made me cold, tho. :laughing:
Travis

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Question, why is the back center section of almost all grapples open?
If it is for visibility then wouldn't expanded metal welded in this area provide protection for the tractor and still provide visibility once the bucket is lifted above the hood?
One of the first things that disturbed me while using a grapple was a limb headed straight for the hoses while clearing brush.
drew a circle around the area in question.
View attachment 630297

50/50 from my experience

I had a B2620 with same pin on grapple (50") and I had sticks come through the back very often. Significant worry all the time for me. I use to grapple to clean up trees after I fell them. I pick up trunks waist height to cut into fire place length pieces (saves back and chain from hitting ground) and pile and move around the branches to burn piles for winter burning once snow falls. I put up about 25 cords of pine per year.

One time stick came through and bent/pinched the metal hydro lines that run along the round loader tube. Looked ugly but worked without problems for 100's of hours after. Many times I had to make quick stop before stick made it through front grill. Close calls I guess.

When i upgraded to my new L3301 I had the pin on mounts cut off the grapple and a full weld quick attach plate added to the grapple. On the downside it adds weight for sure about 75 pounds depending on what thickness you buy and I lose the ability to see the grapple lid touch the tines. Matters if I was picking up very small stuff and needed to see this pinch point. The good news I don't have to worry about stick pokes through the back of the grapple. For me seeing grapple lid touch tines not important as my work is not that "fine"

1/2" Quick Tach Attachment Mount Plate

If I had to pick only 1 attachment it would have to be equal between grapple / loader / BH / snow blower with all being top of the list of most valuable I own. Couldn't imagine not having any of these 4.

 

[workinallthetime]

It's funny how in the life span of tractor ownership you get an implement you can't imagine operating without. I purchased my unit with a 4N1 and figured I would use it as a grapple if the situation presented the need. Fast forward to the grapple and feel like "how did I operate without it". The amount of time and pain I have saved with just a few hours of operation if rediculous. Highly suggest to anyone who has to clear land or pick up debris pull the trigger on one, do your research and use a couple if possible before you buy one.
I see the arguments for both styles of grapples and the highs and lows, for me a root grapple works great but that is my need, not yours.

 

[Mad Mac]

In 1850, my great-great-grandfather bought this land in East Texas. My theory is that the lane to the property was dug out by hand and with a mule drawn drag pan to make the grade easier to get wagons up the hill leading to town. Yaupon has been growing over and into the lane. In the past decades we cut, loaded a utility trailer and unloaded the trailer into a burnpile by hand to keep the lane cleared. Now, we grapple up by the roots the ones we can reach with the tractor from the lane. The ones out of reach we chainsaw and fell into the lane and wad up with the grapple for the trip to the burnpile. The difference is like this.

Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Strauss - YouTube

 

[Mad Mac]

 

[lostcreekranch]

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

If you just chop off yaupon, it will regrow multiple times thicker. Every stem you cut will regrow several new stems.

I've had best result applying Remedy / Diesel 25%/75% mix as a cut stump treatment immediately after cutting. Even waiting 30 minutes, to treat, will great reduce the kill. I cut it off about 12" above the ground, treat stumps a forget about it. Usually, wishing a year, the stumps rot and break off at ground level. The majority are around the base of big oak trees.

 

[jgedmond]

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

If you just chop off yaupon, it will regrow multiple times thicker. Every stem you cut will regrow several new stems.

I've had best result applying Remedy / Diesel 25%/75% mix as a cut stump treatment immediately after cutting. Even waiting 30 minutes, to treat, will great reduce the kill. I cut it off about 12" above the ground, treat stumps a forget about it. Usually, wishing a year, the stumps rot and break off at ground level. The majority are around the base of big oak trees.

^^ +1 Remedy mix works for me too and not just yaupons. Try it on tallows, sweetgums, cedars ... :thumbsup:

 

[lostcreekranch]

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

^^ +1 Remedy mix works for me too and not just yaupons. Try it on tallows, sweetgums, cedars ... :thumbsup:

Remedy / Diesel is a great “cut stump” treatment for all “woody” plants.

 

[AllByteNoBark]

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

Remedy / Diesel is a great “cut stump” treatment for all “woody” plants.

Remedy/Diesel is what I use for treating any stumps. It also kills the wild roses quite well. Kind of pricey though but does go a long ways.

 

[Mad Mac]

Thanks for the information. That's what they tell me at the pesticide seminars.

Here are before and after pictures.