Anyone Have a Frostbite Grapple on their Tractor Loader ??

[g_man]

I am interested in hearing what you think of it. I will be getting a new to me Kubota M5640 soon and want to load logs with it like I do with my L3010 but heavier. I am thinking the by-pass jaws on the Frostbite would be better for logs than a wide root type grapple but I am not sure.

http://www.frostbiteforest.com/

This is what I have now. It works good. It closes tight by holding the log against the edge of the bucket. I never have a lose log floating around and I can keep the log in the tip at the cutting edge. I am wondering if you can clamp down tight on a small log with a root grapple ??

gg



 

[BargeMonkey]

 I don't have a frostbite grapple but I know what it is. We have one of those 360 rotate grapples for the skidsteer, a 72" heavy log grapple/brush rake and heavy forks with the clamp. For the money I prefer the forks 99% of the time, you can do more, pick a bigger log and still use them for other stuff. You can clamp down with our brush grapple down to 2.5-3", I don't honestly like it for anything other than brush clean up, we bought it for the flood and have used it maybe 2-3x since then. I will take a picture of the forks we have, we use it to load round bales, feed the processor, and I bet it's 1/3-1/2 the money.

[Andy1981]

ati attachments makes one similar to the frostbite but they also have  a bolt on tooth bar for it.  I have a rake style grapple which doesn't have the long L type bottom  teeth  and I had no trouble picking up 36" diameter section of concrete culvert . The shorter bottom tines are also nice for raking because your loader arm are more parallel with the ground.

[g_man]

I thought of forks with a hydraulic claw. My main use for the grapple will be loading my truck or trailer. It seems like the forks would always be getting in the way unless they are very short but I don't know I never had any forks.



 

gg

[47sawdust]

My experience with forks on a farm tractor is that the visibility from the seat is poor.I have a 48'' root grapple and it is a very handy piece of equipment.In your application I think the frost bite grapple would work well.

[peterpaul]

I have a grapple identical to the Frostbite on my Kubota 4330.  The I use it to pick up logs, rocks, brush. Works well to pick up multiple logs and clamps them securely.  The grapple works really well. I purchased a hydrualic control kit from  WR Long  http://www.wrlonginc.com/valve_kits.htm.  I control it via a rocker switch on my loader valve control arm which is great rather than using one of my remote valves.  The bypass clamps small to large dia logs well.  I do prefrer my forks for large brush piles but for picking up smaller piles/tops it works great.  One simple way to envison the function is just like useing your right hand, thumb, index and middle finger picking up a pencil off a flat surface. 3 points of contact.

[GRANITEstateMP]

g_man,

We've got a Frostbite and an Igland, between myself and my inlaws.  I use the grapple for EVERYTHING!  I'm pretty sure mine (the newer one) is the Igland, it's got a couple more grease fittings than the older Frostbite, and maybe a little difference in the pins (for the hydraulic ram), one has a bushing.  Sorry about not being too specific.  Both have moved plenty of wood, with no problems.  I know the dealer told me I could add a "rock picker" for mine...  It was pretty much a bolt in plate for the bottom parts of the clamp, holes are pre-drilled, you could make one in no time!  I use mine to more logs around the door yard and help feed my processor.  I've loaded plenty of wood into my trailer with the grapple.  I have hoses run from the rear of the tractor and up the loader.  I hydraulic circuit to run the grapple, as someone stated there are a couple different kits you can get that incorporates it into or onto the loader handle and those are super nice, just couldn't justify the added cost...


 
This is "my" grapple



 

This is the in-laws / farms grapple.  Remember when I said that mine was the Igland, yeah, I was wrong again!



 

[Fedge]

This might be kind of a dumb question but how well does the Frostbite grapple do unloading a stack of logs off of a flatbed trailer? Looks like it might be more difficult than say a rotating grapple or forks. Thanks!

Geoff

[GRANITEstateMP]

Off a flatbed would be fine, until ya reached the bottom row, that takes a bit of finesse...  I like the grapple vs forks because I have more control over the log.  That being said, before the grapple, I moved plenty of logs with forks!



 

Pic of where it hooks on and a better look at it's construction.



  

These are the quick tach hoses and mount. Nice dealer out of VT did them for me before I took it home (Kubota 6040)

[BargeMonkey]

 I will admit with a tractor you do fight to see a little more. I was skeptical when we got these forks, now they stay on that skidsteer 99% of the time. Just figured I would throw another option out there. 

 

[g_man]

Thanks for all the info and photos everyone. GRANITE, do you prefer one over the other for any reason ??

I am new to quick attach buckets and clueless on them. Your mounting looks different than what I will have. I know there are a couple systems. Here is a couple pics I took when I went to look at the tractor. Will I be able to mount to this ?? What is this mount called ??  Thanks.



 



 

Barge, I like that fork set-up. I can see that would be great for around the wood yard or if I had a mill.

gg

[peterpaul]

This might be kind of a dumb question but how well does the Frostbite grapple do unloading a stack of logs off of a flatbed trailer? Looks like it might be more difficult than say a rotating grapple or forks. Thanks!

Geoff

I do not have any real issue with off loading from my flat bed trailer with the following exception.  I cannot reach all the way across the trailer when off loading from one side only.  My trailer is an 14000 #, 18' tilt bed with dual wheels and heavy diamond plate fenders.  In rare cases I have had to use a cant hook or just push  or roll a log a foot or so across the trailer no bid deal. What is nice is I can reach right down behind the fender to grab a log.  Much easier than with forks as the grapple opening can point straight down when with the grapple open just as a rotating grapple does. Only thing it doesn't do is rotate. In fact that is how I store it when the grapple is off the tractor.  There is about 5-6 feet reach from the grill guard to the tip of the movable arm with the arm extended.   What I really like about installing the rocker switch on the loader valve level is that I never have to move my hand to operate the FEL and grapple.  The FEL and remote valve are on the right side one up in front and the behind my right hip.   I also considered making a rock plate to go across the bottom but with careful picking I have been able to pick up smaller rocks by clamping on one side only.  I can even pick up one piece of split firewood occasionly rather that getting off the tractor.  I also do not skid my logs out.  I cut logs 12' and carry out even though I have a Wallenstien winch.  This keeps my saw and firewood logs clean.

[peterpaul]

G-man, that is a standard Bobcat type quick attach.  All grapples being discussed would mount on yours just as your bucket does.   

[samandothers]

I have a grapple 60" wide with the L shape i.e. has longer bottom teeth than a root rake.  Best implement I have.   I can use it to pop small saplings out of the ground.  I can get under logs or rocks, grab and roll them back on the bottom teeth.  It pretty much stays on the loader.  It is great for dealing with brush and being able to grab it.  I can't do that with my forks.  When sawing logs I have started to use by grapple and forks.  The quick attach on the loader allows that to be pretty quick swap.  I'll set the forks where I can off load my lumber to it to take to shed to stack.   I'll use the grapple to load the logs.  If I had to do it over again I'd get the same.  I too have a WR Long 3rd function valve with rocker controls on control stick. 

The pictures of the Deere may show a different attachment as I think they have their own set up for quick attach versus a skid steer style.

[thecfarm]

The Deere things are kinda on thier own.  :
The NH I have looks just like the one pictured. I drove a IH on a job and it was like mine.

[Bruno of NH]

Barge
I'm looking for a set up like that.
I need some thing to load the mill and move lumber around the mill yard.
Where did you get that and what make is it ?
Thanks Bruno

[gasman1075]

Barge, Bruno,

I have been looking to add a thumb like that on my pallet forks as well. Looking forward to finding out where it came from.

Thanks much

Jack

[BargeMonkey]

 

  

 
Those forks showed up about 7-8 yrs ago after hunting around to get some with a thumb on it. Best set of forks you can own, the grapple will close down and you can pinch a 3-4" log, still pick up a couple decent sized ones. Grabs a 4x4 round bale no issue. I've got a hook welded inside the end of the grapple box, how I set my welder I'm my truck. 

 
That's a 72" heavy duty grapple rake from quick attach, nice for brush but it's not a log grapple in my mind. If someone finds an attachment with the "quick attach" or Erskine brand they want we have done enough business with them I get discounts on attachments, save someone a few hundred.  We wheel and deal skidsteer attachments, metal hay wagons, probably 30+buckets and attachments out back and we have figured out what works and what doesnt. Can't go wrong with the "skidsteer" coupler style, I wouldn't buy a tractor that doesn't have it. Just got to keep the pins greased on the coupler.

[Bruno of NH]

Gasman1075
Goggle The Thumb good prices on just the thumb part
Bruno

[gasman1075]

Thanks but when I google the thumb alone I get lots of hits for thumbs for excavators but too big for my forks or just look at North American attachments ?

Thanks much

Jack

[BargeMonkey]

 We looked into the "weld the thumb on" route, it doesn't pay. We actually added a couple gussets to the thumb after we bought it. The top plate on those forks is rugged, not quite set up like regular pallet forks. The nice thing with those is the thumb closes far enough and is aggressive enough that if you can get on a log square I lay it on the log and can grab them and yank them backwards, pull wood sideways off the pile.

[GRANITEstateMP]

g_man,

  That is a quick couple / bobcat style connector as others have said.  I also won't own another "smaller" tractor without this setup.  I use the forks to move pallets around, and they work pretty darn good if you build a platform to lift your significant other up on to paint trim around the house / farm (I don't do heights!).  I have the grapple on the machine 80% of the time.  The Igland grapple is setup with John Deere's proprietary quick switch setup, so it only goes on the JD. 

  I can't knock the Frostbite it's great, use it for everything.  I will move round bales with it (usually old rotted ones that I line my "shootin' area with), and have been known to move my boy's plastic play house around the yard from time to time...  I don't have a sawmill so I'm not moving many pallets or lumber stacks.  I see a lot of great use's for the forks with the thumb, but I like the grapple for moving logs (probably cause that's what I've got) which is it's primary job.

  Mine is attached to a Kubota M6040.  You will love having the quick coupler bucket, wish some of the older tractors at the farm had them!  Sometimes (if I'm smart)  I'll un-hook the bucket from the tractor and leave it next to the wood processor.  When I have any "short" pieces, I'll toss or stack them in the bucket.  When I'm done processing for the day, I switch the grapple out and bucket on and deliver the in-laws some outdoor boiler wood!

[g_man]

Thanks for the info GRANITE - Slick idea with the grapple / bucket switch. I bet I can use that!!

gg 

[glassman_48]

g_man,
I own northern michigan firewood products and I am a sponsor in here my logo is under brute force firewood processor and you can find me in the firewood section.   We sell a quick attach grapple similar to frostbite's.  Ours has 5/8 plate steel for the main part of the main frame, and 3/8 steel on the rest, we also bolt the grapple to the quick attach plate so if the plate is ever bent beyond repair it can be replaced.  If you have an interest I can send you a picture and if you look up brute force firewood processors on you tube or my website one of their machines that loads the log deck in the pictures has our grapple on it.  I have only used ours a couple of times as its brand new and I don't want to scuff it up, the bottom was tricky at first to get under a log probably because I am used to forks, I use a 45 hp new holland tractor to load my log deck.  If I can figure out how to post a picture I will on here for you.

[glassman_48]

g-man
On my website under firewood handling equipment there is a video of our grapple. 

[WoodstockVT]

I have a LandPride root-rake style grapple, and my only observation is it's wider, more points of contact with the log, less critical to grab it right at it's balance point, as you might need to with the narrower Frostbite.  I'm inclined to say I think the root rake style grapple is the most versatile, but there are occasions I can think of where the narrowness of the Frostbite would be handy, picking just a single rock out of a pile, etc.  I would assume the root-rake style ones cost a little more.  A neighbor has a Frostbite and loves his.
No question the thing has enough dexterity to pick a relatively small log off the deck of a flat bed trailer without touching the deck.
Grapples are the single most useful loader attachment on the face of the planet, I love mine.

[g_man]

Glassman. I have been away from my computer for a while. But I saw your message this am and looked at the video on my daughters ipad. Looks interesting. When I get home I will get more info from you. Thanks

gg

[John Mc]

I have a Sundown GR40 Forestry Grapple, which is very similar to the Frostbite. I looked at a lot of different styles before deciding. I went with this style because it's designed for picking up logs, and it works very well at it. I like that it is a narrower profile than the root grapples. With the 3 point grab, it does very well on irregular shapes. Contrary to what some have indicated, Ive never found the grapple to be a problem with grabbing logs off the center of gravity. The limit in how far off-center I can grab is in the tractor, not the grapple.

I've only had it about a year, but I've been very happy with it. It's easy to grab logs securely, and easy to pick logs from a pile. It also does fairly well at cleaning up the brush that always seems to be left over after logging. I've seen other grapples that are better at other things (grubbing roots, picking rocks, grabbing brush, etc) but I have yet to see a grapple made to mount on a tractor's FEL that does a better job at grabbing logs.

[g_man]

Thanks for the detailed report John. I appreciate it. You pretty much confirmed my thinking on this type of dedicated grapple vs a root grapple. Just got the tractor home last week and am going thru it to see what I have. I will have to come up with a grapple soon. I am leaning heavily towards the Frost Bite. There is a dealer in St J.

gg

[nativewolf]

and there is one of those sundown in scarborough ME for 1575 at BEAUREGARD EQUIPMENT- just googled, looks brand new almost.

[John Mc]

and there is one of those sundown in scarborough ME for 1575 at BEAUREGARD EQUIPMENT- just googled, looks brand new almost.

Well, I hope that's a new one, because that's basically the new price.

[nativewolf]

I'd have no idea but this thread is giving me ideas on how to spend $..bad thread bad.  I guess if that is new than $1200 or less is what one should look for.

[GRANITEstateMP]

Not to stray too far from the original post, but...  I'm having an issue with my grapple staying on my quick tach plate.  I've got the Frost Bite grapple, I've moved many a log with it, I was moving some stuff the other day and the grapple "popped" off the plate, figured I hadn't fully engaged the handle, didn't think much of it.  Well, it happened 2 more times and once it just about ripped my hydro hoses out!  I took a better look at it, I ended up putting a little weld on the grapple where the 2 pins hold it down bottom, it had worn a bit there.  Still didn't want to stay on.  I swapped my bucket onto the loader, just in case it was an issue on the grapple and not the tractor.  Bucket stays on but pins try to "move up" and out of the way.  I finally added a couple washers to the top of the springs where they hold those pins down.  Seems to have helped but still a lot of movement on the pins.  Anybody ever have these issues?  

[Puffergas]

I've had problems with other skid steer attachments by pulling. They were made to push! Ended up adding some weld to the bottom of my pin. Check for wear an the plate were pins lock in. When I build my log puller the plate will angle more toward the ground.

[GRANITEstateMP]

Thanks Puffergas.  I think I'll try adding another "shim" to the spring and cleaning up my welded up area so the pins hit an even / level surface.  I will "test" the grapple out this weekend, got to push a couple cord through the processor, so I'll be moving some logs

[chubby]

FARMA (site sponsor) makes one! Check how the top of the grapple uses 1 solid pin right across the top. Also built with grade 650 HSS steel. It can also be equipped with wireless remote control winch. 
http://forsmw.com/log-lifter/log-lifter-ll-1000

[Bruno of NH]

The Farma looks like a well built unit

[Timbercreekfarm]

I have a fransgard grapple, which is basically the same as a frostbite. Wow that thing will move wood, I started with forks, after getting used to how it works you become very used to where it is as far as level and the actual tip. Now I can easily grab a 3" stick if I need to. Very quality unit, it was around $1600.

[711ac]

Thanks Puffergas.  I think I'll try adding another "shim" to the spring and cleaning up my welded up area so the pins hit an even / level surface.  I will "test" the grapple out this weekend, got to push a couple cord through the processor, so I'll be moving some logs

Another place on any ssqa, (another name for skid steer quick attach) is the lower angled face where the pins go through. Some attachments are a little loose even when new but loose makes for an easy attachment. Shimming that area an 1/8" will tighten things up also.
My only negative comment on the frostbite is the not so substantial bolt on ssqa adapter. It's not really built to accommodate much side loading (left/right). My friend now owns the little Ford that's in the Labonville catalog along with the frostbite and it's pretty bent up.

[GRANITEstateMP]

711ac,

  That is my next plan of attack if it's still acting hinkey.  I moved a dozen logs with it the other day with no problems, but you can see it moving around a lot more than before.  I guess I'll get to use the brother in-laws plasma cutter to help make some shims at some point...

[g_man]

My only negative comment on the frostbite is the not so substantial bolt on ssqa adapter. It's not really built to accommodate much side loading (left/right). My friend now owns the little Ford that's in the Labonville catalog along with the frostbite and it's pretty bent up.

Are you talking about the 4 bolts (2 each side) holding the grapple to the plate ? I have not had any trouble there yet - will have to watch the side loading I guess.


 
This angled area between grey and orange is where you don't want any play between the plates - It sounds like you already know this.



The only time mine came off was when I was pushing down brush piles and a stick or branch pushed a lever open. I put some 8" bolts thru existing holes so that won't happen again. But it's not quick attach anymore.


 


 


 
gg  

[GRANITEstateMP]

g_man,

Thanks for the up close pictures!  I've got to double check if I've got the play / space between the quick tach and grapple.  If so, like 711ac said, I'll cut a bit of plate to shim it.  I've been busy with other projects so I haven't worked on that.  Of coarse I got to get a couple or three more cord of firewood done for customers in the am so, I'm sure I'll be reloading my deck at least once, I'll get to check it out then!

[mike_belben]

I use flexible "gear wraps" to keep my bobcat handles closed.  Theyre really just a flexy piece of wire from the camping section.  Coathanger or solid copper from romex would work fine too.

[711ac]

My only negative comment on the frostbite is the not so substantial bolt on ssqa adapter. It's not really built to accommodate much side loading (left/right). My friend now owns the little Ford that's in the Labonville catalog along with the frostbite and it's pretty bent up.

Are you talking about the 4 bolts (2 each side) holding the grapple to the plate ? I have not had any trouble there yet - will have to watch the side loading I guess.

gg  

Gordon iirc I think what I remembered is that the width of the grapple is way "inboard" of the width of the ssqa, exerting a twisting effect on it and it could really use a substantial crossmember from one side to the other to catch this load. This friend that had this frostbite, I'm not too sure of his operating skill's and I somewhat avoided him as it seems that my welding abilities may have been actually "enabling" his continued machinery abuse. :D (I may have been un fair in my assessment of the mount VS the operator)
He was a good guy, just one with not much mercy for - snow plows, trailers, log splitters and a bunch of stuff I've welded that have been forgotten.

[mike_belben]

Corb Lund - Hard On Equipment (Tool for the Job) - YouTube

[GRANITEstateMP]

711ac,

  We call people with the ability to break stuff with that kinda, ah...., precision anvil breakers  ;D .  My dear wife, and her uncle battle to see who can break the most stuff, nobody wins :'(

[g_man]

My only negative comment on the frostbite is the not so substantial bolt on ssqa adapter. It's not really built to accommodate much side loading (left/right). My friend now owns the little Ford that's in the Labonville catalog along with the frostbite and it's pretty bent up.

Are you talking about the 4 bolts (2 each side) holding the grapple to the plate ? I have not had any trouble there yet - will have to watch the side loading I guess.

gg  

Gordon iirc I think what I remembered is that the width of the grapple is way "inboard" of the width of the ssqa, exerting a twisting effect on it and it could really use a substantial crossmember from one side to the other to catch this load. This friend that had this frostbite, I'm not too sure of his operating skill's and I somewhat avoided him as it seems that my welding abilities may have been actually "enabling" his continued machinery abuse. :D (I may have been un fair in my assessment of the mount VS the operator)
He was a good guy, just one with not much mercy for - snow plows, trailers, log splitters and a bunch of stuff I've welded that have been forgotten.

Thank you for that explanation - It is easy to see when someone explains it like that. I can also see it would be pretty easy to put a lot of torque on that plate if you brush against a tree or log with the end of something long in the grapple. Hmmmmmmm......
gg