Grapple W.R. Long Grapple

[dknarnd]

Does anyone have one of their grappels?

For my TC40 and 16LA loader they suggest the RBG-60 unit which is 567 lbs but I'm more inclined to get the RBG2-48 at 325 lbs or the RBG2-60 at 365 lbs. Of course they are being cautions because they do not know how it will be used. I know Island Tractor is going to hop in here and promote the Millonzi 48" grapple but I just keep thinking I like the clamshell style. If my main use would be brush piles then I would go with the Millonzi but more of my use is going to be picking up single trees or rocks. Trees that fall into the fields from storms or dead hardwood trees for firewood then large rocks. I do have a potential project to clean up my collapsed barn so with that in mind I will probably go with the 60" version just because it will cover the width of the front tires a little better.

Besides now with the prices I am hearing people talk about for the Millonzi 48" grapple W.R. Long is only $500 more for the 48".

 

[nedly05]

I just ordered an AnBo, they are similar in design, I have a little bit of time with one, and decided I should go with it, I like the design for picking logs, brush, whatever, I can't wait until mine is here.should be in a week from today.

 

[amigauser]

I have the WR Long RBG2-48 on my B3030 and I have been very happy with it thus far. I also liked the clamshell design so I spent the extra money for it.

Here is my old thread.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/106931-new-wrlong-grapple-ati-toothbar.html

 

[NHbotanut]

I too, have the RGB2-48 on my B7610. I love it. I know I lose some lifting power, but it does not weigh too much more than the Millonzi (40#?). I really like the fact that it opens 48". The clamshell design has been nice in removing small stumps as I can curl the grapple completely around it. You won't be dissappointed with it!
I think I attached a pic of it??

 

[bjcsc]

I have an RBG72. It works great. Just Monday I cleared brush with it. I also like the clam shell design, and I also like that I can actually root with it. I can clear brush and small trees roots and all, in one pass. When it's wide open, it pushes everything away from you, too. The beauty of this design is how well it picks up piles. With the other designs, you run the bucket into the pile, grip the top and get what you get. With this design, you hover the open grapple over the pile (just like you would if you had a giant hand), lower the nearer edge to the ground, close the grapple and then curl it as the top teeth scrape the ground (just like a 4in1). Everything ends up in the grapple. I actually picked up a broom (without damage) just to see if I could! You can also dump the top teeth to the ground and back drag stuff that is close to fences, buildings, etc.. I've done a lot of root raking and tree work with it ( I had 30+ dead trees to remove this spring, with 12 over 18") It is very well built, has grease fittings on the pivots, and works hard.

 

[jcotta]

I bought a used Long RGB 66 grapple used for 1,600. I set it up with a Long diverter valve and ATI skid steer adapter for total cost of $3,000. The grapple and adapter weigh about 700lbs. I have it on a JD 4600 with a 460 loader. I think the 460 loader and 16la are similiar in lift capacity. I have loaded tires and a JD 48 hoe as counter weight. When I take the backhoe off and have the rotary cutter on the tractor can get a little light. The heavy grapple is great for digging rocks , moving brush and logs. The draw back is when moving stones over 1,000 lbs the loader loses some lift. So far I have been able to push or drag heavy stone. I really think a stone boat would best for stone greater than 1,000 lbs. I am careful to carry loads as low as possible with the heavy grapple. Do I regret buying the heavier grapple. No . I use my equipment to the limit, Good think they have relief valves. The Long Grapple will take anything I can dish out . I can work around the loss of 300lbs of lift .

 

[dknarnd]

I like the 48" but I'm also a little concerned that it may be a little to light if I start digging out some stumps with it. I may just go with the 60" version if I go with WR Long. I'm also checking into the ANDO Grapple because they are clamshell style also.

 

[Deerlope]

I just ordered an AnBo, they are similar in design, I have a little bit of time with one, and decided I should go with it, I like the design for picking logs, brush, whatever, I can't wait until mine is here.should be in a week from today.

I will also be ordering an Anbo in a week or so . I talked with Jeff(at Anbo) yesterday.

 

[flINTLOCK]

Love my Anbo.

 

[jmc]

Jim,

I purchased the WR Long RBG66 for my tracked loader to clean up after using a tree shear. After a short session shearing smallish trees, you're bottled in and have to remove the downed ones before cutting anymore. Cleanup was fast with the grapple. So the good news is that both implements are efficient- the bad news is I spent more time hooking and unhooking hydraulic hoses than I did in the loader.

So then I sent away for the WR Long valve kit so I could mount the grapple on my Kubota L4330 to avoid changing back and forth. It works fine on the Kubota but it's heavy and probably sturdier than it needs to be for a compact tractor. It feels like you have a loader full of dirt, even when the grapple is empty. Recently I was using it with a 6 foot rotary cutter on the back and it had a tendency to "gallop" on rough ground like a tractor/loader/backhoe does when in road gear on the highway. Probably from all the weight overhang both ends of the wheelbase.

If I were buying a grapple just for the Kubota, I'd take a hard look at a lighter design as well as a narrower width. Advantages of a narrower version would be:

Weight and cost

cleaning up in tight spots like between trees

pushing force concentrated on a smaller area

same volume capacity as wider grapple, just more overhang.

John