Which grapple?

[Piston]

I wonder why no one can build a common sense grapple like that anymore. Wide opening, narrow, lightweight. Perfect.

Closest I see out there is the 48 inch WR Long obg2 but by the time I ship it, it is $2K.

Grapples were no where near as popular 12 years ago as they are now. Not to mention the price of 'everything' has gone up since then, increasing costs. Also, Millonzi is no longer business, so that should tell you something as well. As I understand it, the guy died, but not sure if it was a one man show or not. If so, then the profit margins don't need to be nearly as high.

The WR Long is an EXCELLENT grapple.


Armydoc, I think there is a happy medium with width of a grapple. No, you don't 'need' it to cover your tire tracks, and no, you don't 'need' a wide grapple. However, you can be more productive with one so there is an advantage.

The main reasons to go with a narrow grapple, are lighter weight (which doesn't apply to you), less cost (which may or may not), and the belief that a narrower one will dig better (which mathematically it will, however I've never had a problem digging anything, so it's not a legit reason), and you will not have any issues with digging with the power you have.

To me, it seems like the 72" would be pretty ideal. However, I'd go with whatever Xfaxman recommends since he has the same machine. The rest of us just speculating.

 

[Xfaxman]

-----------------------------------------


Armydoc, I think there is a happy medium with width of a grapple. No, you don't 'need' it to cover your tire tracks, and no, you don't 'need' a wide grapple. However, you can be more productive with one so there is an advantage.


The main reasons to go with a narrow grapple, are lighter weight (which doesn't apply to you), less cost (which may or may not), and the belief that a narrower one will dig better (which mathematically it will, however I've never had a problem digging anything, so it's not a legit reason), and you will not have any issues with digging with the power you have.


To me, it seems like the 72" would be pretty ideal. However, I'd go with whatever Xfaxman recommends since he has the same machine. The rest of us just speculating.

Actually my V417 is basically the same, just slightly smaller. For my uses, mostly dead trees, I have never wished for a wider grapple.

Pushed over two dead ones:

 

[case580c]

The WR Long is an EXCELLENT grapple.

I just wish that WR Long shipped a little faster. Still waiting for my Grapple after I attach it to my tractor I need to get Hyd hoses made up which will require a 3hr round trip to hyd shop. OBG1 - 64. I plan to use either a couple of pieces of old garden hose or hyd hose to determine the correct lay length for the hoses. Anyone have any tips as to figuring the correct length. Thanks Bill

 

[ericm979]

I used old garden hose to mock up some lines I had made to run from the rear remotes to a mount on the loader. They're the temporary 3rd function while I figure out what I want to do for real. Keep the bends gradual and make the hoses long enough to not bind. If you're running from the loader to the grapple I suggest waiting until the grapple shows up and measuring then. On my EA grapple there's quite a difference in hose reach from curled back to fully dumped. I also had to move my quick coupler mount but the hoses from the rear remote still reach it.

Discounthydraulichose does custom for a good bit less than my local hydraulic store. Surpluscenter has hoses even cheaper but they come in 6 inch or 1 foot increments.

 

[IslandTractor]

Armydoc,

Your putting this on a telehandler right? You would absolutely pretzel a 4' wide, 3/8" mild steel grapple. Do not let anyone talk you into going with a narrow lightweight grapple with this machine. Many Many Many people have been talked into this, and it's a fine option, but for your machine, you would be simply throwing money away for scrap steel if you went with the infamous $500 Millonzi 48" grapple.
(I understand that I.T. is not recommending this, but just want this to be clear in case it's a little misleading)

Piston is right. I wasn’t aware this was to be used on a big telehandler.

 

[Xfaxman]

It isn't a big telehandler, it is a small compact telehandler, the new Bobcat V519. 6.9 feet wide and 6.9 feet high about 15 feet long.

Only rated to lift 5500 pounds.

 

[IslandTractor]

It isn't a big telehandler, it is a small compact telehandler, the new Bobcat V519. 6.5 feet wide and 6.5 feet high about 15 feet long.

Only rated to lift 5500 pounds.

View attachment 533170

Why am I jealous every time you post a photo???

Maybe Santa will read this.....

 

[Xfaxman]

Well now I am also jealous of this new model, the V519.

My V417 is 7 years old, all beat up and scratched up.

 

[LD1]

Armydoc,

Your putting this on a telehandler right? You would absolutely pretzel a 4' wide, 3/8" mild steel grapple. Do not let anyone talk you into going with a narrow lightweight grapple with this machine. Many Many Many people have been talked into this, and it's a fine option, but for your machine, you would be simply throwing money away for scrap steel if you went with the infamous $500 Millonzi 48" grapple.
(I understand that I.T. is not recommending this, but just want this to be clear in case it's a little misleading)

Piston is right. I wasn’t aware this was to be used on a big telehandler.

Too many things going on in this thread its hard to keep track of whos who and whats what.

Original post was back in 2007 inquiring about putting a grapple on a mx5000

Then on post 27 case580c revived the thread a month ago to inquired about a grapple on a M5140 kubota.

Then post 62 armydoc started inquiring for a bobcat v519

And somewhere in there I think there was a question about one for a B21.

Certainly a vast range of machines. And someone trying to make a recommendation for a V519 vs someone making a recommendation for a B21 are going to differ vastly

 

[DieselBound]

I just wish that WR Long shipped a little faster. Still waiting for my Grapple after I attach it to my tractor I need to get Hyd hoses made up which will require a 3hr round trip to hyd shop. OBG1 - 64. I plan to use either a couple of pieces of old garden hose or hyd hose to determine the correct lay length for the hoses. Anyone have any tips as to figuring the correct length. Thanks Bill

For the install on mu NX5510 I went out and bought some cheap 3/8" air hose. Garden hose was more expensive and it tended to be too big. Ran my hoses on the left side; also put in some disconnects at the loader attachment point (one day I'll put a real bulkhead in, but for now I've the hoses zip-tied). Just feed the hose until you figure you've got a good lay (free from obstruction) and then mark on the hose (mark at disconnect and then at desired full length out to the front of the loader arms (cross tube). I replicated the stress loop as found on the factory hose install on the other side of the loader mount.

 

[case580c]

For the install on mu NX5510 I went out and bought some cheap 3/8" air hose. Garden hose was more expensive and it tended to be too big. Ran my hoses on the left side; also put in some disconnects at the loader attachment point (one day I'll put a real bulkhead in, but for now I've the hoses zip-tied). Just feed the hose until you figure you've got a good lay (free from obstruction) and then mark on the hose (mark at disconnect and then at desired full length out to the front of the loader arms (cross tube). I replicated the stress loop as found on the factory hose install on the other side of the loader mount.

Thanks, Sorry I didn't do a good job explaining in the original post. I already have a bulkhead I just need to go from it to the Grapple tee. You can see from the picture the Flat faced couplings point straight out from the bulkhead, I was thinking hoses from grapple might lay better if the Flat faced couplings were in a 90 degree position from how they are now ??

 

[DieselBound]

OK, yeah... (sorry, I have a hard time keeping up with all the posts )

I've been pondering this point myself, whether to face the couplers straight out or at a 90. I am kind of leaning toward a straight-on mounting as that's the way the industrial stuff tends to be; figure how you're going to be exerting force via your arms and I think it makes more sense this way- a 90 means you're going to have to apply pressure across your body, laterally, rather than fore/aft, in-line with your body. Break-away couplers also require this in-line orientation/coupling: I can't really afford break-away couplers for my use (would have to switch to Ag couplers- I have flat-faced couplers, mixed). How the hoses lay as they come from the grapple is another issue: maybe just hold them to the grapple through a bend(s) point(s) via bungee cords.

 

[case580c]

OK, yeah... (sorry, I have a hard time keeping up with all the posts )

I've been pondering this point myself, whether to face the couplers straight out or at a 90. I am kind of leaning toward a straight-on mounting as that's the way the industrial stuff tends to be; figure how you're going to be exerting force via your arms and I think it makes more sense this way- a 90 means you're going to have to apply pressure across your body, laterally, rather than fore/aft, in-line with your body. Break-away couplers also require this in-line orientation/coupling: I can't really afford break-away couplers for my use (would have to switch to Ag couplers- I have flat-faced couplers, mixed). How the hoses lay as they come from the grapple is another issue: maybe just hold them to the grapple through a bend(s) point(s) via bungee cords.

Good points, "maybe just hold them to the grapple through a bend(s) point(s) via bungee cords." Yes I was thinking Once I mount the grapple on my tractor I will use the spare hoses from my backhoe to figure the correct length for my grapple and then drive up to my hydraulic shop and have them made up.

 

[IslandTractor]

Even cheaper and more convenient than driving hours to a local hydraulic shop is to buy the hoses and fittings from Surplus Supply. It's easy to loop a 3/8" hydraulic hose to take up slack and secure the loop somewhere that it won't snag. I recall buying predetermined lengths of hose from Surplus Supply was about a third the cost of getting exact cut from my local hydraulic shop.

I had disconnects fitted so I could remove the loader on my first tractor. Expensive. Never used them as I rarely take the FEL off. If using the rear remotes and securing lines under the tractor with zipties, all you are saving is ten minutes of cutting zipties and another 15 to install new ones after you remount the loader. If I removed the loader regularly that might be a factor but most of us just never (or rarely) remove the loader.

 

[case580c]

Even cheaper and more convenient than driving hours to a local hydraulic shop is to buy the hoses and fittings from Surplus Supply. It's easy to loop a 3/8" hydraulic hose to take up slack and secure the loop somewhere that it won't snag. I recall buying predetermined lengths of hose from Surplus Supply was about a third the cost of getting exact cut from my local hydraulic shop.

I had disconnects fitted so I could remove the loader on my first tractor. Expensive. Never used them as I rarely take the FEL off. If using the rear remotes and securing lines under the tractor with zipties, all you are saving is ten minutes of cutting zipties and another 15 to install new ones after you remount the loader. If I removed the loader regularly that might be a factor but most of us just never (or rarely) remove the loader.

Good point But once I get the Grapple I will want to use it asap and driving to town will be faster than waiting for UPS to deliver the hoses. I did take a look at discount Hydraulics and prices didn't seem much difference that my local shop. This is the down side of me not getting my grapple from Travis. Which far is my only regret. As I ordered it Dec 2

 

[case580c]

Even cheaper and more convenient than driving hours to a local hydraulic shop is to buy the hoses and fittings from Surplus Supply. It's easy to loop a 3/8" hydraulic hose to take up slack and secure the loop somewhere that it won't snag. I recall buying predetermined lengths of hose from Surplus Supply was about a third the cost of getting exact cut from my local hydraulic shop.

I had disconnects fitted so I could remove the loader on my first tractor. Expensive. Never used them as I rarely take the FEL off. If using the rear remotes and securing lines under the tractor with zipties, all you are saving is ten minutes of cutting zipties and another 15 to install new ones after you remount the loader. If I removed the loader regularly that might be a factor but most of us just never (or rarely) remove the loader.

Now ya got me thinking I am going to check my stash of backhoe hydraulic hoes I just might have enough of the right size to cob together a rube goldburg temporary solution so I can use the grapple till I make a trip into town.

 

[IslandTractor]

Now ya got me thinking I am going to check my stash of backhoe hydraulic hoes I just might have enough of the right size to cob together a rube goldburg temporary solution so I can use the grapple till I make a trip into town.

Your backhoe hoses might work fine. I had 1/2” hoses on my little CK20 TLB. Worked fine but HUGE overkill. 1/4” would work fine and most folks just use 3/8. Much easier to turn the 90 degree corners on the FEL post with more flexible hose.

 

[case580c]

I first tried Surplus Center and I either had to go with 48 in hoses and adapter fittings and then drive to hardware store for a short nipple and coupling to make up the difference in length.

I checked out Discount hydraulic hose and they were only 9 dollars more for custom hoses. I ended up going with Discount Hydraulics for a custom length hose and the correct ends for what I hope is a clean install (as long I measured correctly). Its to wet to do much till spring.

 

[IslandTractor]

I first tried Surplus Center and I either had to go with 48 in hoses and adapter fittings and then drive to hardware store for a short nipple and coupling to make up the difference in length.

I checked out Discount hydraulic hose and they were only 9 dollars more for custom hoses. I ended up going with Discount Hydraulics for a custom length hose and the correct ends for what I hope is a clean install (as long I measured correctly). Its to wet to do much till spring.

Sounds like Discount Hydraulic Hose is a good deal. I haven't used them but will keep them in mind. What diameter hose did you end up using?

 

[case580c]

Sounds like Discount Hydraulic Hose is a good deal. I haven't used them but will keep them in mind. What diameter hose did you end up using?

3/8" They came in today I will pick them up tomorrow as it's raining and I can't use the tractor without making a mess in the wet ground.