After much thought and research and after several weeks of chainsawing and hand working limbs and trees left over from the great KY ice storm of 2009, I have decided to bite the bullet and purchase a new tractor to assist in this eternal task.
I think I have pretty much decided on the B3200 and one of the first attachments I must have is a brush grapple. This is where I get confused. I have saw posts of QA ATI systems but I could never understand the whole thing means.
I am confused about how it attaches to the FEL and about what type of remotes I should get on the tractor.
Also, as far as remotes go, I am also interested in a woods 3 pt. stumpgrinder which I think requires to rear remotes.
I don't know anything about the B3200 tractor or if it big enough to handle a grapple. Others may want to advise you on whether it is appropriate. I would think you need a minimum FEL lift capacity of 1200 to 1500 lbs. to utilize a grapple. Most light duty grapples weigh around 300 lbs. and the ATI add another 100 or so. So you would have to subtract this weight from your total capacity to see what you could lift.
Here's how the ATI quick attach works. It is a device that bolts directly to your loader arms that is designed to quick connect to any standard skid steer implement (such as a grapple or bucket) So the bucket you buy must be skid steer compatible, and the bucket that comes with your loader probably is not. So you could order your FEL w/o a bucket and get an after market bucket or grapple. The ATI is expensive, depending on the model designed for your specific loader. Probably around $800. ATI has a good website with pix.
What is the lift capacity of the tractor/loader you are considering?
Ford 4000; Ford 2000(both 3cyl.);JD40; 2004 Kubota L4300; 2006 Kubota B7610; new 2007 Kubota MX5000
I agree with Shawn, you'll need something a bit heavier than the B3200.
The basic L-models with HST should work reasonably well for woods work. They're light, maneuverable and strong. The L2800 and L3400 would be OK, but my choice would be the L4400 HST. It should do about anything you'd need while being easy to handle in the woods and the wallet.
I have Millonzi that was on my previous tractor and I will be mounting in the next week or so on my new L4240. I have a third function remote on the fel. It places quick couplers on the front the fell and has conveniently located actuating buttons on the fell lever. I have q/a skid steer mounts on the grapple and fel. On my last tractor I used one of the rear remotes for the controller and it was a pain to reach behind to control what is going on in front of you.
I would step up to at least a L3240 with HST. I have HST and what little loader/fork experience I have had in the last three month have proven the HST to be worth it. The HST will make the grapple work a short job (for each of the many many jobs I have )
With a loader grapple, a log would be perpendicular to your direction of travel. You would need either open field, or to cut the logs into short sections. I am not trying to talk you out of a loader grapple; I really want one myself. I only mention this because there is a three point hitch attachment that is a log grapple which will grasp a log and pull it lengthwise behind a tractor. It is more specialized than a loader grapple, so you'd neet to consider whether it was worth the money. Though the loader grapple would not be as good as the 3ph for the logs, it has a far broader range of uses.
(for each of the many many jobs I have 