WICKED Utility Grapple!!!

[IslandTractor]

Ok, for my wish list, a 200 lb. grapple with 60" opening?

I have an 84" BD grapple with 34" opening and 900+ lbs. so, just as well shoot for the stars!


View attachment 449697

In all seriousness, my second grapple, for 46 HP LS tractor, will be used exclusively for limbs from trimming trees, brush, i.e. light loads. I want large opening to grab as much as possible. Don't give a rats ***** about heavy as, I have above big grapple on a 100 HP tractor, for trees, etc.

I think the new 55" utility grapple is best, I have found so far, to meet my needs.

The new chart is excellent but, I hope new, 1st grapple customers, will take advantage of visiting with the EA guys, on the phone, before making a final grapple selection?

My 2cents worth.


Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

At 10 inches wide it might be possible!

 

[lostcreekranch]

At 10 inches wide it might be possible!

IT;

Maybe a "bit" wider?

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[IslandTractor]

IT;

Maybe a "bit" wider?

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Maybe wider but given that at 10" or so with a 60" jaw opening, it likely has only two tines and they'd have to be pretty strong. Maybe 1/2". Plus the lid and mount. Pretty heavy. Interesting design exercise for an engineering student.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Maybe wider but given that at 10" or so with a 60" jaw opening, it likely has only two tines and they'd have to be pretty strong. Maybe 1/2". Plus the lid and mount. Pretty heavy. Interesting design exercise for an engineering student.

IT;

You do know that my 200 lb X 60" opening was said / typed tongue in cheek?

As stated, my requirement for a second grapple are light weight for light lads and a large jaw opening for bigger bites at limb / brush piles.

So, is there anything I between my facetious 200 lb. X 60" opening and the EA WUG 600+ lb. X 42.5" opening? No, a clam shell type is not what I'm looking for.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[IslandTractor]

IT;

You do know that my 200 lb X 60" opening was said / typed tongue in cheek?

As stated, my requirement for a second grapple are light weight for light lads and a large jaw opening for bigger bites at limb / brush piles.

So, is there anything I between my facetious 200 lb. X 60" opening and the EA WUG 600+ lb. X 42.5" opening? No, a clam shell type is not what I'm looking for.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Oh yeah, but it is an interesting design challenge. :thumbsup: There actually are some very narrow light duty grapples. Check out this one: Grapple Modular. You can start with a narrow version and then add wings.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Oh yeah, but it is an interesting design challenge. :thumbsup: There actually are some very narrow light duty grapples. Check out this one: Grapple Modular. You can start with a narrow version and then add wings.

That pretty interesting. May have to give it a study. At first blush it may be too light.

Thanks

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[IslandTractor]

That pretty interesting. May have to give it a study. At first blush it may be too light. Thanks Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Yes, I agree. Although I am a big fan of light grapples, they still need to be pretty tough unless being mounted on a SCUT. The modular design is interesting though as it can be an ideal narrow stump digger and then by bolting on wings you could go collect brush piles.

 

[streamin]

Ive been following this thread as I will be buying one this summer, if all goes good. Very good points made by islandtractor. I do agree there are confusing terminology and in my case I am not sure what to classify my tractor as now. at 50 hp but much heavier than the competitors, which one will work better? those pictures help a lot on the comparison. So does 300lbs make that much difference? I'm thinking about grabbing logs to build a cabin so the weight of the tree can be high. So would I opt for lifting a bit heavier log but bending a lighter grapple? Less tree but no damage to grapple?

 

[IslandTractor]

You will NEVER bend a grapple by lifting a tree properly balanced in the jaws. Look at the amount of structural steel in even a light duty grapple compared to a standard bucket. Grapples can lift anything your loader has the power to lift.

Grapples are damaged by twisting or ramming. You can twist a grapple while carrying a long tree and running one side into an obstacle. You can twist it by trying to lift without centering the load. Likewise you can hurt a grapple by ramming one side into a tree or other big object.

Basically, it takes momentum and a heavy tractor combined with an off center force on a grapple to hurt it. No loader on any CUT is strong enough to bust even a light duty grapple.

That's why I keep harping on the greater importance of tractor weight over horsepower when selecting a grapple. A 45hp utility tractor weighing 5000-6000 lbs or even more with ballast, will be tougher on a grapple than a 60 hp tractor weighing in at 4000 lbs.

 

[4570Man]

Unless grapple was grossly undersized you can't damage it using only the loader hydraulics. My grapple is bent in several places, but not from lifting. If you get a good sized stick between the tines it will act like a lever and bend any cut grapple.