Grapple Help me spend $3500 on grapples and 4n1s

[air19]

Mark - did that WRLong quote include the cost of the hydraulic runs and controls up front? I've got Kubota's third function valve set for the grapple up front. In the back, I've got two remotes, and power beyond.

I thought I could get away with a narrow 4-n-1 because I'm going to get an 84" box blade in back covering all my tire tracks. So the 4-n-1 can be used as a first pass and the box blade will be the finisher. A narrow bucket would also be better for filling my smaller trailers and the dump box on my Polaris Ranger.

Island and Red Rocker - the light duty Millonzi 48" is definitely at the top of my list for grapples. I'm sure I can get a lot done with it and if I compliment it with a dedicated stumper/rocker like Wildcat's and a 4-n-1 like Wildcat's or WRLong's then I can do the heavy duty work with these dedicated implements.

MtnHome17 and Hammy - your heavy duty clam grapple suggestion still has me thinking before I pull the trigger on a Millonzi. There could be a key advantage with this clam grapple if I could really put the lower tines down about 2" into the trail surface and SLOWLY drive forward stirring up rocks and breaking roots. I don't think I could do that with the Millonzi style grapple. This first pass would certainly make things easier for the box blade and I could work on any larger rocks and stumps I found first. I just worry that trying to use a tractor for dozer type work is going to damage the loader.

I also here you about changing implements. With our 15 mile ski trail network, there are times when I can be working 2 miles away from the barn so I have to pick the right implement for that day's work.

Still thinking, but you can see my choice is finally down to - 3 lighter duty tools built and designed for specific purposes vs. 1 heavy duty tool trying to do everything.

- Mike

 

[MarkV]

Mark - did that WRLong quote include the cost of the hydraulic runs and controls up front? I've got Kubota's third function valve set for the grapple up front. In the back, I've got two remotes, and power beyond.

I thought I could get away with a narrow 4-n-1 because I'm going to get an 84" box blade in back covering all my tire tracks. So the 4-n-1 can be used as a first pass and the box blade will be the finisher. A narrow bucket would also be better for filling my smaller trailers and the dump box on my Polaris Ranger.

That was just the 68" bucket but it was a heavier one than you are looking at.

MarkV

 

[IslandTractor]

It seems to me that as desirable as it would be to have all the above mentioned attachments the only way you can do it is by buying the lighter duty models on the market. If they were going on a 30 hp tractor or less that would seem fine but with a larger tractor and emphases being stumps and rock I would be worried.
MarkV

I would not worry with a light duty grapple with even a 50hp tractor. You are not likely at all to damage any grapple with almost any CUT if you use it properly. Grapples are damaged by putting side loads on them as they are engineered for up and down or forward/back loads.

I can lift the rear wheels off the ground using the grapple with my 41hp tractor when I hook the grapple under a root that is a bit too big to rip out. Because the grapple is just seeing a straight lift, it is not damaged at all even though it is lifting the rear of a roughly 5500lb tractor plus mower. I don't know exactly what the lift weight is as it is obviously pivoting on the front axles but it is probably over the 2700lb lift capacity to full height at pivot points. If that manuver does not hurt the grapple I don't see how lifting any tree/brush or rock could do so as long as one observes the basic rules of grapple/FEL use....center the load...don't allow the upper jaw to close constantly on an asymmetric object (simply grip it don't try to crush it), don't torque the loader/grapple by picking up something heavy one one side and don't allow a wide load to run into an immovable object. Virtually all these points are true of any implement on a FEL so there is not really anything special you need to do for a grapple.

I'm sure many folks are tired of hearing me repeat that the larger heavier and far more expensive grapples are really designed for big skid steers and largely intended for management of construction debris. Most CUT owners are not demolishing buildings but are moving individual rocks, trees or mouthfuls of brush. None of those tasks requires T1 steel or massive over engineering. I have still not found, after 18 months of intensive grapple use, a situation where I either wanted or needed two upper grapple arms. I don't understand any use for that configuration except perhaps for handling construction debris which is, again, more of a skid steer task typically. I have long admired the WR Long and Anbo clamshell design for pure brush removal but actually find the simple single 24 inch upper jaw style the most versatile. It is very useful to have the narrow midline mounted upper jaw so you can come down over the top of an object/stump etc and surgically stick the upper jaw blade exactly where you want it before closing. You cannot do that with either a clamshell or a double grapple set up.

I understand the innate desire to buy heavy duty models of just about anything. Madison Ave has done a good job of convincing us that heavy duty is generally better. But most of us, even with 50hp tractors, don't buy the heavy duty bush hogs or heaviest box blades etc. A 'standard' duty tractor implement is typically pretty darn well built and will stand up to years of normal use. I think the same principle is true for grapples. The light duty versions are substantially more heavily built than even the toughest FEL bucket so really should be well within thier engineered limits with any CUT FEL use.

 

[BarryinMN]

Local shop here designed & built a roid rage rock bucket.

Customer - a rock quarry returned it because operators kept destroying skidsteer arms, booms etc.

It was cheaper to fix rock buckets than skidsteers.

 

[MarkV]

Air19,

I could not find any information on the Wildcat stump grapple and 4in1 bucket you are looking at. Do you have a link to a web site for them?

Thanks,
MarkV

 

[IslandTractor]

Air19,

I could not find any information on the Wildcat stump grapple and 4in1 bucket you are looking at. Do you have a link to a web site for them?

Thanks,
MarkV

I don't know about the Wildcat but he was looking at a WRLong 4n1 bucket, probably one of these: Ultra Jaw 1 4-N-1 Bucket

 

[air19]

Mark,

The Wildcat website is http://www.wildkatattachments.com Their stump grapple at $675 looks well built and a great price. Their 4n1 at 60" with teeth is $1725. I've already had a couple of emails with them and they are very responsive and able to work with you.

Island gave the site for WRLong - http://www.wrlonginc.com/index.htm They have many 4n1s and I was thinking about the HJ or the UJ1.

It's not as easy for me to compare 4n1s from different manufacturers. I need to call each one and get into details about the material sizes.

- Mike

 

[IslandTractor]

Boy, the Wildkat stump bucket is also a deal at $340. Might have to grab one of those for moving blueberry bushes and other plants. Grapples are great for destroying/moving bushes but not for relocating them. I wonder whether the stump grapple would be necessary if you already have a QA grapple. Just carry the stump bucket to the worksite inside the grapple, use the stump bucket and then switch back to the grapple to clear away the debris. That would save a few bucks.

 

[MarkV]

Mike, thanks for the link. I had done a search but was not coming up with anything. The Wild Kat products seem to be well priced compared to others I have seen. It would be nice if they had some measurements and weights listed for the different attachments. I’ll drop them an e-mail about the things I am interested in.

Island Tractor I had the link to WR Long, I've looked at those for a long time. Wish I could find a deal like you did on one. You have a real good idea for Mike's situation. The Stump Bucket to pop things loose and the grapple or 4in1 to clear stuff away when he is out on the trails. Looks as if either attachment could carry the Stump Bucket easily and let him take two attachments with him when out doing trail work. Best of all it saves money.

MarkV

 

[IslandTractor]

sland Tractor I had the link to WR Long, I've looked at those for a long time. Wish I could find a deal like you did on one. ...MarkV

I admit I am still gloating over that eBay find. An almost new WR Long 4n1 and diverter valve for less than the cost of the diverter valve. Almost makes me forgive all the wasted time spent on eBay. I actually don't hang out there much but that is where I discovered my Millonzi grapple too...I don't think Millonzi lists them there anymore unfortunately.