The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: hopm on January 13, 2018, 06:47:51 AM

Title: Grapple
Post by: hopm on January 13, 2018, 06:47:51 AM
Been watching grapples being used and see it as something that could be beneficial to my setup. However, like so many other pieces of equipment, price becomes an obstacle. In looking I saw a bolt on bucket grapple was priced reasonably. Any experience with one of these? I would be using it on an compact tractor. I have seen similar on large equipment, but would like your opinion on what I could expect on a compact. Thanks in advance for any guidance!!
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: YellowHammer on January 13, 2018, 07:33:42 AM
I've never used one, but have a full grapple for my tractor. They are very useful, in the correct setting. The sides of the bucket or grapple play a large roll in what it can handle.  If I was getting a bolt on grapple, I would either install bucket teeth or cut an angled "V" in the sides of my bucket, much like a backhoe bucket, so stabilize and hold material better.

If I had to get only one attachment for a tractor, it would be a quick attach set of forks.  Even these days, 90% of the time, forks are on the tractor.   
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: ladylake on January 13, 2018, 08:29:59 AM
 
Keep in mind a grapple weighs quite a bit, reducing the lifting capacity on a compact tractor. They are great for handling logs if you can lift them.  Steve
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: york on January 13, 2018, 08:51:52 AM
I did not know that you could put a grapple on a compact tractor-How about a link for this grapple?
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: 47sawdust on January 13, 2018, 09:03:00 AM
What is the loader capacity on your tractor?The other factor to consider is the wear and tear on the tractors front end.Light duty axles and gears will not hold up.
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: hopm on January 13, 2018, 10:24:07 AM
This video caught my attention after I saw a larger grapple on a 70 hp tractor on a job I was on. The tractor in this video appears to be way small.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHGRxenfK9c

This is the one I want....
https://www.everythingattachments.com/Compact-Tractor-Wicked-Root-Grapple-50-Single-lid-p/eta-cut-sl-rg-50.htm

This is probably the best I could hope for....
https://www.palletforks.com/48-60-bolt-on-grapple-attachment.html
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: Darrel on January 13, 2018, 11:23:43 AM
My FIL had a 24 horse Kabota with a bucket and backhoe.  I was amazed at how much it would do. Then when I had it at my mill, I was even more amazed at how much it wouldn't do. 
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: DDW_OR on January 13, 2018, 02:21:50 PM
Here is what i recommend.
get the quick attachment like a skidsteer has.
then get pallet forks, and this
https://www.palletforks.com/48-60-bolt-on-grapple-attachment.html

i may also get them

FYI, my pallet forks have 4 forks. makes my Mahindra 5520 into a pitchfork  8)
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: Bruno of NH on January 13, 2018, 02:31:19 PM
Google the thumb grapple it will bolt or weld on many things buckets or forks
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: submarinesailor on January 13, 2018, 03:04:24 PM
I recently installed a thumb grapple http://greens-machine.com/ (http://greens-machine.com/) and like the way it works.  Need to get you guys some pictures.

Bruce
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: Novascotiamill on January 13, 2018, 05:11:34 PM
I just ordered a 55 inch wicked grapple for my ck2610,the grapple only weighs about 200lbs so ill have about 1000lbs of lift to use to move logs around ,pick up brush piles etc,it has a quik attach system as on a skidsteer. Ive got forks Ive been using to load logs but I think the grapple will be easier and safer. Go for it ,order one up!
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: bandmiller2 on January 13, 2018, 07:29:12 PM
As hammer says its hard to beat simple pallet forks. I have had a grapple and found it very useful for picking logs off a trailer and grabbing brush other than that I prefer forks. Frank C.
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: Chuck White on January 13, 2018, 07:53:29 PM
My pallet forks came from Titan, off of the PalletForks.com web site, delivered here for $431.00!

About half price of the JD dealerships deal, and heavier made!

I use them on my JD 1023E subcompact and on my brothers JD 990!
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: farmfromkansas on January 15, 2018, 08:20:18 PM
  The latest Cooks flyer has reasonably priced grapples.
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: buzywoodliff on January 15, 2018, 08:58:39 PM
I have to agree with Yellowhammer..... I have a fork attachment for a 100 hp kubota and use it all the time..  with a little finesse, i can pick logs up and out of my flatbed trailer that has 12" side boards.
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: samandothers on January 15, 2018, 09:12:33 PM
I have a 42 hp Kubota with a 60" grapple.  Most useful tool I have.  I have a backhoe on the tractor as a counter balance.  I use it not only to load logs but to put the waste for the burn pile on when sawing.  I put my boards on a set of forks that are not connected to the tractor.   After dumping waste on burn pile I drop the grapple and hook up the forks to take the boards to stack and sticker.  Quick attach feature makes the change quick and easy.

I would be concerned with the bucket attached grapple being strong enough.  I have a slight bend to my top grapple because on not balancing my weight well enough. Can not imagine what this would have done to my bucket.

Also the the grapple is great for cleaning brush.
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: Ohio_Bill on January 19, 2018, 08:05:35 PM
Rather than going with a bucket grapple I decided on a Frostbite grapple . I have been very pleased with it .


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10451/20180119_135931.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1516410049)
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: JB Griffin on January 19, 2018, 09:10:56 PM
Google Wicker grapple to see the only type for around a sawmill imo.
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: JB Griffin on January 19, 2018, 09:15:43 PM
http://www.dymaxinc.com/attachments/4661/  this is the type
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: Randy88 on January 20, 2018, 05:55:06 AM
Grapples are great, but first you need to narrow down exactly what your going to use it for, if all your doing is moving logs, a center grapple on forks works slick, if your picking up other things, a dedicated grapple bucket is the way to go, if your moving brush, the style shown on the skid steer is perfect.     

What you need to determine is how tight you want to squeeze what your picking up, and then figure out if you want one clamp or two.   

The style shown on the skid steer will squeeze what your picking up, most others won't unless the log is larger than the clamp, if that makes sense.     

I run a double clamp severe duty grapple on my skid steer, with two clamps, works great for logs, or multiple logs, is about worthless on brush and smaller stuff, it won't clamp that stuff tight enough to carry it very far.     

Mine weighs in slightly less than a 1000 lbs and the bucket portion is bullet proof, the hold down clamps we've tweaked over the years.     For the use and abuse we do with ours, the clamp should have been made out of T1 but I didn't know it at the time, the one I bought was the heaviest unit at that time, today there are dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of styles to choose from.  Best of luck. 
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: crowhill on January 20, 2018, 05:57:39 PM
I purchased "the thumb" off the internet for my Kubota M4900. Best investment I've made for support equipment to my tractor. I also purchased a "tooth bar" to bolt on the leading edge of my bucket, also off the Internet. With the combination of the two I've had great luck handling logs up to 20' long around the mill. I installed / welded a flat 1"x4" bar across the top of my bucket for additional strength and support to which I bolted "the thumb". The tooth bar is the best, maybe only way to go with the setup. One would still be limited by their tractors max capacity and use common sense in operating. Mine was easy to hook to the hydraulic system as I have a remote on the rear of the tractor. You will want a counter balance weight on the rear, I use my farmi winch for the balance weight. No regrets. Easy install, lots of uses.
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: Novascotiamill on January 26, 2018, 07:37:54 PM
Just recieved my wicked 55" root rake grapple it looks pretty cool,apparantly someelse likes "wicked" grappling too! In case you cant read it her pendant says "wicked" looks identical to the logo on the grapple

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/46436/B7946B01-82D7-468C-8E28-7D9F21A104D9.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1517013095)
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: John S on January 27, 2018, 09:36:38 AM
Who noticed the pendant?
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: KirkD on January 27, 2018, 12:10:18 PM
Brings a whole new meaning to Grapple
Title: Re: Grapple
Post by: Jeff on January 27, 2018, 12:32:35 PM
Family site.