What size root grapple for my 2850?

[davedj1]

Like the title says, I have a 60" bucket and I am thinking that would be a good size grapple. Or I could go to a 66"
Thanks
David

 

[davedj1]

OK after reading farmall 55a case's thread, I would probably be better off with a 48" grapple. I'm only going to do some light firewood and tops cleaning.

 

[Johnkn]

If I were to out a grapple on that tractor it certainly wouldn't be a small 48". That's what I have on my BX25D

 

[ch47dpilot]

Found grapples for good price here 6" Root Rake Clam Grapple with Teeth - Skid Steer Attachment Depot the 60" is only 100lbs more than a similar 48". Losing 100lbs load capacity probably won't be even noticed. My L3400 HST can lift about 2500lbs

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Weight is one of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a grapple. Besides needing a lightweight grapple to preserve your tractor's lift capacity, strength is also very important.
To achieve all of the above, we've upped the bar when it comes to compact tractor grapples by using premium, high strength materials to create the IDEAL grapple for many different tractors.

Our Wicked 55 grapple rake is the best match for a 2850 if you want your tractor to have the most ability. At 200 pounds, with extremely strong AR400 tine construction and other features such as upper and lower serrations for gripping/ripping and lower removable runners, nothing on the market comes remotely close. Ted tested it on our L6060(60 horsepower) and put the footage out there for everyone, so we know it's incredibly strong!
Travis

 

[oosik]

I have a Land Pride heavy duty root & rock grapple. SGC1560 at 820 pounds and 63.5" wide. The grapple is used almost 100% to move large rocks and chunks of my Ponderosa pine trees. I also use the upper jaw for backdragging to level and smooth dirt. I have little to no brush here on my property.

The difference between a 60" grapple or a 66" grapple will only be in the added weight carried by your FEL. As far as work that can or can not be accomplished with one or the other- there will be only the weight difference.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

This guy chose to go the cheaper route to save some money, but quickly learned he made a huge mistake.
The day it was delivered, he called me and ordered his Wicked Grapple! He said lifting the grapple alone felt like a bucket full of gravel and it got worse when he tried to maneuver it because the tractor's agility was totally gone.
Travis

John Deere 4310, which has a comparable lift capacity to the OP's tractor.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

My L3400 HST can lift about 2500lbs

2500 pounds? On the loader?

 

[davedj1]

Thanks for the responses. I should have said "I will be building one" in the first post. I can't justify that kind of money on one and I have a guy with a plasma table that will cut out what I need and I also have a large plasma cutter if I want to trace some templates. That wicked grapple looks real nice and I like it's weight.

 

[ch47dpilot]

sorry looked at specs again breakout force is around 18-2500, lift is about half that. Anyone know what the factory bucket weight is so we can compare it to grapple.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Some things to consider......Hello John,

I have been enjoying your posts after researching claw vs root grapple, especially since I just purchased a L3901 HST so your posts are even more significant as we both will have the same tractor (not delivered yet). My B2910 just suffered a mortal blow when the transmission casing cracked and dropped my backhoe. Anyway it served me well and after 2400 hours I am moving on. I saw your last post about the grapple, ie 95% happy with claw and wonder if you have any further thoughts. The saleman suggested the SGC1060 which is a bigger than the SGC06 you have. I will be using it to move both brush and logs and hay bales (wife raises and breeds miniature horses). No real rocks to deal with (wish I had some). Thanks for any response and for all of the posts you do. I'm not sure how this works re replies so here is my email address:


I believe I'd go with the root grapple instead of the claw grapple if I had it to do over. The claw grabs "stuff" and squeezes it to pick it up which is fine for big rocks, brush and a bale of hay. If you want to pick up "stuff" around the home like a couch or something you don't want squeezed the claw is out. The flat bottomed root will let you come under items and pick them up and then slightly close the top claw to hold them on while you move them. Consider picking up a pile of good construction wood, the claw is probably going to damage some of it squeezing the pile together to clamp it tight enough to hold it where the flat bottomed root would let you lay the wood on the bottom and then close the top to keep it from falling off.
I've also been unable to pick up basketball and bigger size rocks and I have many because they fall through the tines. I can pick up bigger ones but not small or medium size unless two tines come together at exactly the specific point and then the rock will move will moving a fall thru. Everything attachments advertises to have an additional piece that will make closer together tines and they have a decent looking root grapple for less than the similar model Landpride that I bought.
Basically the claw like mine is like the toy claws in the vending machines where you open it and drop it down and close it on items or push an item and then close the top clamp and squeeze the item tight, real tight with hydraulic force and lift and go.
:2cents:

 

[oosik]

WOW - JohnThomas - - wish I could give you some of my real rocks. I use the "top jaw" on my grapple to backdrag & smooth the land and "rake" my surface rocks into piles.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

WOW - JohnThomas - - wish I could give you some of my real rocks. I use the "top jaw" on my grapple to backdrag & smooth the land and "rake" my surface rocks into piles.

I have lots of rocks my L3901 won't pick up and hundreds of the smaller ones. I have to push some and can only push them down hill due to weight and size.

 

[ch47dpilot]

Really like the wicked grapple. Some grapples have lower tips parallel to the ground (like the green one) and some have the tips curled up (like the wicked). Is there any really advantage/disadvantage to either design?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Really like the wicked grapple. Some grapples have lower tips parallel to the ground (like the green one) and some have the tips curled up (like the wicked). Is there any really advantage/disadvantage to either design?

I believe I'd go with the root grapple instead of the claw grapple if I had it to do over. The claw grabs "stuff" and squeezes it to pick it up which is fine for big rocks, brush and a bale of hay. If you want to pick up "stuff" around the home like a couch or something you don't want squeezed the claw is out. The flat bottomed root will let you come under items and pick them up and then slightly close the top claw to hold them on while you move them. Consider picking up a pile of good construction wood, the claw is probably going to damage some of it squeezing the pile together to clamp it tight enough to hold it where the flat bottomed root would let you lay the wood on the bottom and then close the top to keep it from falling off.
I've also been unable to pick up basketball and bigger size rocks and I have many because they fall through the tines. I can pick up bigger ones but not small or medium size unless two tines come together at exactly the specific point and then the rock will move will moving a fall thru. Everything Attachments advertises to have an additional piece that will make closer together tines and they have a decent looking root grapple for less than the similar model Landpride that I bought.
Basically the claw like mine is like the toy claws in the vending machines where you open it and drop it down and close it on items or push an item and then close the top clamp and squeeze the item tight, real tight with hydraulic force and lift and go.

 

[ch47dpilot]

Really like the wicked grapple. Some grapples have lower tips parallel to the ground (like the green one) and some have the tips curled up (like the wicked). Is there any really advantage/disadvantage to either design?

JohnThomas agree with your points with grapple vs claw. Didn't even notice the Wicked was a claw(guess working 3rd shift doesn't help) I was trying comparing grapples designs. See pics

 

[Dan33Klein]

JohnThomas agree with your points with grapple vs claw. Didn't even notice the Wicked was a claw(guess working 3rd shift doesn't help) I was trying comparing grapples designs. See pics

I might be going with the 60 MTL grapple like the picture you posted.
It is a lot heavier than the EA wicked. But it痴 really reasonably priced

 

[ch47dpilot]

The black one is from skidsteerattachmentdepot the 60" is $1095 and weighs 550lbs If your buying it for your B2650 let me know how it works for you. My L3400 FEL has about the same capacity. I'm not sure how 500lbs will work, only leaves about 350Lbs of load. Anyone know if when they give FEL lifting specs if they include the bucket weight. I think my bucket is around 90lbs, but I can't find anything specific

 

[Dan33Klein]

The black one is from skidsteerattachmentdepot the 60" is $1095 and weighs 550lbs

The orange mtl one in 60” is 500lbs and you can get it under 900 shipped to a commercial address.

 

[Xfaxman]

I have had both types and for my needs the long bottom is best.

Travis started a new thread on the two basic designs: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ked-grapple-guide.html?highlight=#post5033734