Grapple To grapple or to not grapple...

[Dargo]

I'm wondering how useful a grapple would be on the L5030HSTC I have. I have around a couple hundred acres and seem to be moving stuff or clearing out areas a fair amount of time, and I think a grapple would be nice. However, I have no idea how much it would cost me to add a grapple to this tractor or what all it can be used to do.

I did weld a hitch receiver onto the top of my FEL bucket and also have 3 hooks welded onto the top. Both of these additions are very useful. I did design and build a rear 3 pt. hitch, even sold a few on eBay, but found that those are not nearly as useful as just having the hitch receiver on the top of my FEL bucket. It's a real drag to take off any 3 pt. implement to be able to move a trailer. Anyway, I think I'd want to know if a grapple would work with hooks and the hitch receiver on the top of my bucket. Thoughts? Suggestions? Costs? Thanks!

 

[LeRoi]

I don't know if you have skid steer quick tach on your LA 853 loader, but if would be a worthy addition to your loader so you could use a light weight skid steer grapple.
I have a piranha root rake grapple on my L4330 and I am clearing wooded acres. I find it the most used attachment for moving and removing brush and debris.
I already spent my money and I think it would be a good investment for you too.
HTH
Leroy

 

[PineRidge]

I think a grapple would make your job a whole lot easier. Maybe if you post a picture of your bucket so we can see where the ball is we can then make some recommendations to you for a bucket grapple.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Hiya Dargo -

I agree with LeRoi, sounds like the way to go would be to put on a quick-attach so you can switch between the bucket and the grapple. For someone as talented at fabricating as you obviously are, it would be a relatively simple matter for you to modify your existing bucket to fit the quick-attach. Just "clone" the weldments on whatever QA grapple you might get.

I really like my Bradco grapple, but SkyPup's Anbo looks pretty cool, and others like the Pirhana and many others.

An electric solenoid w/buttons or rocker on the loader handle make the grapple a joy to use. Did you see these threads?

Need remote advice on L5030 w Cab

Remotes and Top and Tilt?

5030 "skidder" pics - the "tree-bota" in action

On re-reading this reply, I think I might have missed a large part of what you're asking, namely can you put a bucket-mounted grapple onto your existing bucket? If this is the case, can you post a pic of it? Obviously the dedicated grapple attachment would be more productive - the Bradco cost about $2800.

Also HTH, John

 

[JoeL4330]

Agree w the QA proponents ...have one on my 4330 and use the WRLong grapple frequently ...great tool ...per another thread, about to put a tree shear on and will swap off between the two

 

[Dargo]

Hmm, to show how ignorant I am of grapples, I do have the quick attach setup on my tractor. I drop my bucket to finish mow and to hook up my pallet forks. I love the QA setup. I thought that most grapples attached to your existing bucket. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I know I'll have to have another remote in the front to run the grapple, but I don't know much else. Any ideas what prices I should expect?

I don't have any pics, but I don't have a ball on my bucket, but the actual square tubing receiver. That way I can just slide in whatever hitch I need with whatever size ball I need. I gave away as a Christmas gift the last of the 3 pt. hitches I'd built since the setup on the bucket is so much more convenient and easier to use. It works so much better and cost me a whopping $10 to do. I've since welded on about a dozen for other guys. If anyone is interested, I can get a pic later today of that setup posted. No big deal, but it's something so simple but so useful. I wish I would have figured that out before I spent the time and effort to design and build a setup for the 3 pt. hitch. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[have_blue]

Dargo,

I don't want to be a fly in the ointment, but my experience with grapples on a FEL is not that great. Sometimes the grapple helps pretty much. But lots of stuff I try to pick up just doesn't work with the FEL bucket/grapple combo, and I waste a lot of time grappling air.

Question for the group: Is it just me thinking wrong, or would forks work better with a grapple for most things, especially long ungainly stuff?

 

[JimMorrissey]

You'd just drop the bucket and pick up the grapple. Maybe you don't have a quick attach loader. I do believe there are many recent posts on grapples. Skypup would be a good source.

Oops. Looks like you have QA. I'm figuring about $3000+ for the whole setup including hydraulics. However, the front hyraulics will be useful for a QA post hole digger, sweeper, dozer blade or any low flow Bobcat attachment. Not a inexpensive setup, but useful.

 

[Partsman2]

Dargo,

I went through the same decision making process as you before I settled on the WR Long root and brush grapple. The reason I went with this set up is that I have a lot of brush to deal with and when using a bucket with an add on grapple you will grab a lot of dirt with the bucket that you really don't want to have to deal with. With the RBG it rips the roots out of the soil and leaves most of the dirt in place.

The WR Long setup is heavy duty and they offer a hydraulic kit that consists of all hoses, quick disconnects, and an electric divertor valve that gives you a thumb swith mounted on your joystick to work the 3rd operation for the grapple.

I'll post some pics of my setup. It takes me less than 3 minutes to change from the loader bucket to the grapple. Of course I do have a QA bucket.

If you are dealing with a lot of brush on a regular basis this is a must have.

 

[Partsman2]

Another.