Which Grapple for an MX5400 with a LA1065A Loader?

[jonc123]

Hello,

I am looking at HLA grapples and was wondering how big a deal the weight difference would be in everyday use. (Being up here in Canada, we're limited on our choices)

HLA has a root rake grapple and a "light" root rake grapple as well as a brush grapple.


RRGLD66 470lbs, 33-1/2" opening. HLA Attachments - Light Duty Root Rake c/w Grapple
RRG66 - 985lbs, 48-1/2" opening. HLA Attachments - Root Rake c/w Grapple
RRG78 - 1070lbs, 48-1/2" opening.
BRG72 - 865lbs - 48" wide from ground to point of grapple HLA Attachments - Brush Grapple

Primary use will be moving brush, logs, some rocks, stumps etc in the forest we have. I'm concerned that the lighter grapple might bend long before the loader would give out, but then of course, I lose the loader capacity to the weight of the grapple.

I'm not sure if I want a brush or a root, and unfortunately, I have to order sight unseen at the moment.

After speaking with HLA and another dealer, I'm leaning to towards the heavier which I believe is stronger but wanted to get opinions of those that chose a lighter or heavier grapples on their tractor and which type you went with. I've also been quoted for the Landpride SGC 1060 and 1072, but they seem to be much more expensive and equivalent to the HLA light version.

Thanks
Jon

 

[sea2summit]

1065 gives you 2130 lbs lift at the pins I believe. Put a 1070 lbs grapple out there I'm not sure what you'd be able to lift, you'd need ballast just to drive around.

I've got the EA single lid wicked grapple 54", which weighs 627#. If I bought another one for the MX today it would probably be their root grapple which weighs less than 450# and keeps the loading teeth closer to the pins so you can get better leverage popping stuff out and keep the cylinders tighter in the stroke while dragging the tips of the grapple through the dirt. YMMV.

 

[oosik]

I've got a Land Pride SCG 1560 grapple. Weighs - 820#. I'm not concerned about lifting anything beyond 1000# to any great height. I have the capacity to lift 3000# to 24" height. That meets my needs. If you want to know what the FEL lifting capacity is - look in the FEL Op Manual at the weight lift charts. They will tell what weight can be lifted to what height. Also they give consideration of lifting ability based upon - center of load to FEL pivot pins.

The FEL's abilities to lift (as listed on the spec sheet) are based upon a generalized distance from the center of the load to the FEL pivot pins. This may/may not be the way you plan on using the grapple. View attachment 685292. My grapple at 60" is slightly narrower than the width of the front tires. So I can "nose in" to tight areas and pull stuff back out.

As an added note - BEFORE you get a grapple and put it to use - do yourself a favor. Modify your grill guard in some fashion to protect your grill, radiator & battery from sticks, stobs and associated crap. View attachment 685298

 

[ericm979]

My Branson's loader capacity is listed at 2200lbs. I got a 450lb EA Wicked dual lid grapple. I have maxed out the loader capacity lifting logs, where it either can't lift at all or can't curl or can only lift part ways. I'm glad I did not get a heavier grapple as that would limit the lifting even more. The EA grapple is still straight and the lids are still perfectly true.

Of course it depends on your use. I'm not trying to pull up roots with it, it's the wrong kind of grapple for that. And I have some large trees.

The long lower tine style like I have works well for brush and groups of logs. With a large single log, the log can end up out a bit from the pivot pin making it take more force to curl. But that style grapple seems like a good all rounder if you're not going to dig roots.

 

[BackRoad]

I've got your same 1065A loader on an MX6000.

Not sure if EA ships into Canada, but their 60" inch Wicked Root grapple has been flawless, and is light enough to provide a respectable amount of lift capacity for your working loads.

Careful though, EA implement owners have been called a cult by some on TBN.

Meh...I like their kool-aid!!!

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I have the MX 5400 with LA1065 loader and Landpride SGC1072 grapple. That (quickattach) grapple weighs 447 lbs. The next model up on the landpride series was, if I recall correctly, about 900 lbs.

It would have been a mistake to go higher. The SGC1072 is plenty sturdy, and as it is I already find I am surprised by what I can NOT lift with it due to loader capacity.

So... in this case, bigger would not be better.

As for the grapple capability, I use it mostly for clearing fallen trees. I haven't been as successful as I'd like clearing larger rocks with it but perhaps I need to learn more technique. As a root rake it also leaves something to be desired, particularly if you use it as documented where they want you to rake only with the rear "spurs", which are not very long and also mean your hoses are in contact with materials being moved.

Anyway, food for thought. My landpride grapple is plenty heavy duty, it's also my favorite attachment. But I think I probably could have done better with more research and/or patience.

 

[Racenut]

400 pound EA Wicked 60 - Best Rated 60 Inch Wicked Root Rake Grapple from Everything Attachments

My loader is rated for about the same weight and I will pretzel the loader arms before the grapple has any problems. I have maxxed out the lift a few times and I can't imagine how frustrated I'd be with an 800-1000 pound grapple hanging out there. The heavier the grapple, the smaller the log.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

On grapple width, I wonder if I'd be unhappy with a 5' grapple or not, no way for me to know. What I can tell you is that the 6' wide grapple is just great at picking up brush piles and dropping fairly little on the ground as I move to the disposal point. The more the brush is flopping outside the grapple toward the ground, the more likely I am to lose it before I get to my destination. So the 6' is nice. But I'm guessing 5' works 95% as well and is cheaper and lighter. Still, if you want to grapple-move longer logs, an extra foot may provide more stability (for the log ... not necessarily the tractor .... make sure you have rear ballast!)

 

[Bullwinkle123]

My grapple at 60" is slightly narrower than the width of the front tires. So I can "nose in" to tight areas and pull stuff back out.View attachment 685298

For the OP that's a good point. If you're in tight spaces (like the forest), a wider grapple does increase the likelihood of accidentally bashing trees as you try to navigate uncleared space. Of course in my case I use my rear blade for ballast, and it's 7', so the 6' grapple is actually the less error prone end for me.

 

[JohnnyMX]

I have an MX5200 and got a W.R. Long OBG-2 (open bottom grapple). It has two clamshells and longer, straight tines. It is a monster for brush pickup, moving normal-sized trees, removing rocks, ripping vines etc. The flat bottom is also nice if you plan on stacking lumber and moving it. It is about 475lbs and I've never been disappointed about my lift capacity. I don't loose to much material with the dual-grapples and they are lined up in a way you can grab a twig or single rock with ease. There is also an option to add tines if you were sorting material like rocks out of a trash pile.

W.R. Long, Inc. | Open Bottom Grapple "OBG-2" & "OBG-1"