Been using my dad's tractor with FEL and forks to move logs around and load them on the trailer. Been working well but last week I bought a used skid loader (2400lb. operating capacity) and I find there is much less roll/tip back. With the tractor I'd fork a log, tilt the forks back, and the log would roll against the back of the forks and stay there pretty well. I have a hard time getting the log to roll back with the skid loader and am worried about them rolling off the front if going down a slight incline.
So I'm looking at grapples and am wondering if I should get a full on grapple bucket like this: 60" Heavy Duty Root Grapple Bucket Skid Steer Attachment 1/2" Thick Steel Frame (https://www.palletforks.com/skid-steer-attachments/grapples/grapple-buckets/60-skid-steer-root-grapple-bucket-attachment.html)
Or if I should get a set of forks with grapple like this: 48" Pallet Fork Grapple Attachment Skid Steer Loader Tine Rake Bucket (https://www.palletforks.com/skid-steer-attachments/grapples/pallet-fork-grapples/pallet-fork-grapple-version-2-with-48-fork-blades.html)
A friend of mine was clearing a grove last week and let me take some of the logs and borrowed me his grapple bucket to carry them out after he pushed them over. My end of the bargain was also using the grapple bucket to clean up the brush. For this scenario is was the perfect tool but I'm not sure if I'm going to be doing much of that in the future. Most of my use will be around the log yard. I'm using it on heavy hardwoods from 15-34" almost exclusively.
I'm leaning heavily towards the grapple forks because I find it easier to pick up logs with the forks and it would save me swapping attachments when I want to pick up lumber pallets. Just wanted to be sure there wasn't some reason they don't work as well as I think they should. The lighter weight (and cost) is a plus too.
Thanks,
Alan
Grapple forks are lighter and more sensible for a sawmill. Brush grapples are for tree service and demo/cleanup. And theyre heavy.
It does stink that most of the fork carriage manufactures clone the same crummy design, they dont put any curl back in there and give you past vertical dump angle.. Its stupid.
I built my first fork rack from a scrapped forklift sideshuttle and had about 30* of curl built in. But it was too heavy and impossible to see through so i bought a cheap rack and swapped forks over. Cant curl back at all and it drops logs way too easy if you dont lift way up to get some curl angle in there. I much prefer to carry them low. I need to build a pin on thumb for the new set.
Go with the grapple forks
Load logs and move sawn lumber with the same unit
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20928/IMG_20180405_175343830.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1527624205)
great for deer too
Ok, grapple forks have been ordered. Hope to see them by this weekend so I can use them to get some logs organized.
Thanks for the help!
This thread can now be derailed..... :)
Alan
Oh perfect, i was just about to ask if that is an NPR or fuso hooked to a trailer in the background.
The Fuso 4x4 was real popular around here 15 years ago.
Everyone had one.
Don t see them much anymore
I realize it's too late for my two cents to be of any help but I would have gone the other way. I have the root rake grapple style and love it! Rather than completely encircle a log with the clamps, I can squeeze the points in the middle of the log and gently lift or gently set it down exactly where it needs to be set.
I also have customers bring in logs in any type of trailer or vehicle you can imagine. That style clamp allows me to grab the end as though it were a huge cigar and gently lift it up out of the bed of whatever they brought it in in.
It's probably a case of whatever you get, it's what you will be used to and it will work great for you.
Truck in the pic is a 90 nissan ud 1800. Had a 14' box on it and made a 12' flatbed out of it. I can jack knife it step out of the cab right onto the trailer lol only down side this truck will get stuck in wet grass.
If you can, cancel your order. I also went through the same decision. Ordered the pallet forks and thought the cylinder was bad since there was no control on the decent of the claw. They sent a replacement and it was slightly better but not much. Returned it and ordered the root grapple. It works flawlessly. The pallet forks are too dangerous to use moving heavy logs. Save yourself some headache and order the root grapple.
I will say that titan distributor customer service was excellent through this process. I was trying to save money and and was asking the pallet forks to do more than they were designed to do.
PM me if you wish to discuss further.....Ray
Why wasn't there any control on the decent of the claw, seems like a 2 way cylinder should have control both opening and closing. The downside to a root grapple is you lose a few hundred pounds of lifting capacity. Also try picking up a stack of lumber with a root grapple . Steve
Thanks for the additional info. Hope I didn't jump the gun.
Brad: I hadn't thought of the root grapple being able to vertically lift logs from a truck box or trailer with sides. That would be handy but so far all the logs coming in have been on my deck over trailer. I guess even on the flatbed I can see where it would make unloading easier when there is more than one layer of logs.
With the grapple bucket I was borrowing last week even without pinching the log with the teeth I was able to put it down gently by slowly opening the grapple so that the log slowly slid down and out. I'm assuming I can do the same with the grapple forks. Not as gentle as what you describe but good enough for my intended uses at this time and much better than tipping the forks down until the logs rolls off, which is what I'm doing now.
Raym: Thanks for the feedback on those particular Titan grapple forks. I hope they have that issue worked out. How long ago was that? I did see they had it billed as "version 2".
Also curious why you say: "The pallet forks are too dangerous to use moving heavy logs." Do you mean pallet forks in general or the Titan ones you got that didn't work properly?
I can certainly see myself ending up with a root grapple in the future as well but for the time being I hope the grapple forks will do everything my current forks do but allow me to secure the log as well. I'll let everyone know how they do.
Alan
Quote from: alan gage on May 30, 2018, 10:18:00 AM
Raym: Thanks for the feedback on those particular Titan grapple forks. I hope they have that issue worked out. How long ago was that? I did see they had it billed as "version 2".
Also curious why you say: "The pallet forks are too dangerous to use moving heavy logs." Do you mean pallet forks in general or the Titan ones you got that didn't work properly?
I can certainly see myself ending up with a root grapple in the future as well but for the time being I hope the grapple forks will do everything my current forks do but allow me to secure the log as well. I'll let everyone know how they do.
Alan
It was this spring. I just didn't feel as though I had control of a heavy log. I'm sure they would be fine stabilizing brush and such.
Not sure why there was no control on the decent of the claw unless there was a bad batch of cylinders. But like I said the root grapple is the cats meow.
I have one this style and like it alot.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36349/image~296.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1497045970)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36349/image~300.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1497810255)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36349/image~301.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1497810334)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/36349/image~302.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1497810358)
Farma, Ingland and Sundown all make one very similar
It sounds like there was too much flow volume on that fork grapple cylinder for some reason. I cant see what could make grapple forks a danger but brush grapple safe. Have used both.
Ive been unloaded by grapple forks on front end loaders a bunch of times. If the grapple tips pass right at the end of the fork tips then they can pluck logs one at a time quite gentle like a bypass grapple. Twice now ive seen the grapple have a round pipe spreader bar as the clamp so nothing sharp is biting into the log and damaging fiber.
Im pretty happy with my stump grapple. Just wish it was on a bigger, better machine.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/1018171105a.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1510800476)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/0509181814.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1525970865)
I like my grapple for unloading from trailers with high fenders.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19307/20160913_181556.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1478061024)
It also is really good at cleaning up the log yard and has replaceable ground contact points. Excellent for clearing and levelling land.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19307/Quick_Attach_Grapple_4.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1463193075)
If I HAD to choose between bucket or forks with a clamp for sawmill use only, I'd go forks.
. . but my approach to my loader is that it should be able to do a bunch of things.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19307/20171110_153130.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1527735988)
managing slash, ground crud and branches.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19307/20171025_163449~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1527735988)
cedar bark is impossible to load with either bucket or forks.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/19307/20171212_111109.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1527736214)
. . . and sometimes that canoe has been in the way one time too many !
;D
My log supplier is a firewood processor. He moves a lot of logs in his yard. He has The Beak attachment and It's pretty slick. I think it works a lot better than the typical skid steer grapple that has a rake and two top jaws. He even modified the tip of the top jaw of the beak to be able to better grip small logs (6" and under). He handles a lot of very large dia logs too.
Skid Steer Attachments - Daniel Mfg. Inc. (http://www.danielmfg.com/skid-steer-attachments-2/)
I have a grapple and forks...use both ALL the time. I really like the grapple for moving logs and slab wood. As mentioned, a downside to a grapple on a tractor without a lot of lifting power, is that it's HEAVY.
My tractor's a beast. Here it is curling a 38" beech log. You can just make out the grapple pinching it on the back side. 8)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/46676/IMG_7256.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1508409978)
I have grapple forks and a grapple root rake, and have also used a grapple bucket.
Hands down, the grapple root rake is my go-to implement for handling logs. It's like using your fingers to pick up logs, and it's very versatile.
Phew, that was a beech.
-tractor.
The grapple forks showed up yesterday and I spent about an hour or so moving logs with them. Overall I was very happy with how they worked. I got the 48" version and they worked very well for picking up multiple logs at the same time. Much easier carrying multiple logs with the grapple as opposed to regular forks. If one log was as little off center it didn't really matter. Even if the end log was only part way on the forks the grapple would clamp it in place. It clamped them tight and stabilized the load very well while driving from point A to point B, especially on the downhill section where some logs would have rolled off if I'd had forks alone. It worked for carrying five spruce logs of varying dimensions to just one or two long and large (19"x20') ash logs.
Last night I had the forks set to the same width as the grapple so the grapple didn't contact the smaller logs. Next time I'll change the fork spacing so the grapple bypasses them and see how that works.
When I got done moving logs I grabbed a pallet of plywood and moved it under my new lumber shed. Very nice not having to switch attachments.
Quote from: Raym on May 30, 2018, 03:48:05 AMOrdered the pallet forks and thought the cylinder was bad since there was no control on the decent of the claw. They sent a replacement and it was slightly better but not much.
I see now what you mean. The forks snap open and closed very quickly. Much different than the grapple bucket I borrowed a couple weeks ago. I'm assuming the reason being the grapple bucket had dual cylinders where the grapple forks only have one. I'm hoping someone makes some kind of orifice that can install at one of the fittings to slow down flow?
Alan
The offset clamping is one of a grapples best strengths. Ya cant always put the machine where the log will balance on open forks.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/1004171639-1.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1510800637)
Pull the hoses and fittings off your cylinder. Weld or braze a reducer into the hole. It could be a roll pin, a nut, a piece of brake line, a washer etc etc. Just make sure its in there good. Dont breathe the fumes.. Probably zinc plated.
Quote from: alan gage on June 08, 2018, 10:30:38 AM
The grapple forks showed up yesterday and I spent about an hour or so moving logs with them. Overall I was very happy with how they worked. I got the 48" version and they worked very well for picking up multiple logs at the same time. Much easier carrying multiple logs with the grapple as opposed to regular forks. If one log was as little off center it didn't really matter. Even if the end log was only part way on the forks the grapple would clamp it in place. It clamped them tight and stabilized the load very well while driving from point A to point B, especially on the downhill section where some logs would have rolled off if I'd had forks alone. It worked for carrying five spruce logs of varying dimensions to just one or two long and large (19"x20') ash logs.
Last night I had the forks set to the same width as the grapple so the grapple didn't contact the smaller logs. Next time I'll change the fork spacing so the grapple bypasses them and see how that works.
When I got done moving logs I grabbed a pallet of plywood and moved it under my new lumber shed. Very nice not having to switch attachments.
Quote from: Raym on May 30, 2018, 03:48:05 AMOrdered the pallet forks and thought the cylinder was bad since there was no control on the decent of the claw. They sent a replacement and it was slightly better but not much.
I see now what you mean. The forks snap open and closed very quickly. Much different than the grapple bucket I borrowed a couple weeks ago. I'm assuming the reason being the grapple bucket had dual cylinders where the grapple forks only have one. I'm hoping someone makes some kind of orifice that can install at one of the fittings to slow down flow?
Alan
Dear Alan,
Curious how you are feeling about the pallet fork grapple after a six or seven months of use. I'm also leaning toward the fork grapple for the same reasons you were -- wanting the versatility of lifting logs and pallets with one attachment. I've got a big deck of redwoods and firs all 20-25 feet in length and up to 30 inches in diameter, so don't expect to be moving more than one at a time. I'm thinking with the forks set to the widest (44 inches), my best bet would be the 42-inch or or 48-inch tines. Any thoughts on this based on your experience?
Or are you thinking you should have gotten the grapple bucket. At Titan, the pallet fork grapple is actually heavier (611 lbs) than the grapple bucket (450 lbs).
I assume you're staying indoors these days. Stay warm!
Thanks.
Jeff
I used them quite a bit and then the auxiliary hydraulics lines started leaking on my skid steer so I've just been using forks the last few months until I get around to fixing it.
What I liked about the grapple forks over a grapple bucket was not having to change attachments when switching between moving logs and moving pallets of lumber. They're handy and worked well but, like a previous poster mentioned, they really snap open and closed fast (at least the ones from Titan). It's hard to open/closed in a controlled manner. I'm assuming this is because they only have one hydraulic cylinder and the skid loader has enough flow to move it in a hurry. I kept meaning to put some sort of orifice in the fitting to slow it down but of course still haven't gotten around to it.
I've been very happy with them around the log yard. I think I got the 48" but could get by with a little less.
Alan
There are a lot of GOOD companies that manufacture grapples and/buckets for light to very heavy duty use. National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Ky, Feb 12-15th is excellent venue to compare the actual units on display and for sale. My personal choice is https://shoule.com.au/assets/files/SHoule%20Catalogue.pdf
They are out of Canada and all over the U.S. I use and Abuse the GP-10 grapple every day. Bought it 7-8 years ago and is on an old AC840 (articulated) loader. Used for manure, big hay bales stacking brush and lots of logs and tops that are gently laid on my wood processor live deck. I use it for bigger logs that go on my bandsaw mill. I finally broke one of the cat claws on the grapple doing things you should never do (and we all do) :D. I am considering the rock bucket as an addition.
I currently use an old New Holland 3pt bale mover that has been (farmer modified) with forklift pallet forks. Welded to the bale mover and drive it into the bucket and secured with a one bolt pin. Cost effective,quick attach, and rugged. I have moved 30 ft 30+ inch trees across fields to the yard. I get a lot of strange looks from cars going up and down the road. :) Works for me.
Since this thread was drug to the top again and I'm the one that started it I figured I'd update how my grapple forks are working.
For quite a while I had a large hydraulic leak in the front auxiliary lines so I didn't use the grapple forks and got along quite well with the regular forks. I've since fixed the leak and have been using the grapple forks again and it's nice to have them back. I did a fair amount of milling and log shuffling this summer and fall so put them to good use. They make it easy to pick up multiple logs and it's nice not having to center them exactly (like with regular forks). The loader arms on my mill broke so I've been loading everything with the grapple forks, which is much easier than loading with regular forks. Not as nice as a grapple bucket but it gets the job done.
One thing I didn't expect from the grapple forks was how good they are for moving brush. At 4' long they can carry quite a mouthful.
The grapple forks generally stay on the skid loader unless I need to pick up a really tall stack, usually firewood pallets.
Alan