Grapple Root grapple Question

[Mark-in-Mo]

I have ordered a new L4740 with third function valve now I am searching for a general purpose grapple to do a lot of different task

I think I have read every single thread on grapples search could come up with but I have a few Questions still

I am interested in the WILD CAT root grapple The price is what really interest me. My uses would be for a large assortment of uses such as relocating downed trees, limbs, some rocks.

When brush hogging I seem to run across a large assortment of obstacles that need to be removed, typically I just push everything out of the way or up to the fence (pasture). I also plan on cutting down some cedar trees that need to be piled up for a latter burning I also need to clear some trails in the woods

The design of this grapple looks like it would not offer much protection for the tractor when pushing up piles of limbs or reaching down to grab a tree with limbs sticking out.

When going for the roots it looks like the loader would be in the dump position is that hard on the loader cylinders. Does it really push out small saplings roots and all?

This thing would be on my tractor 80% of the time Do you guys see any real concerns with this design. I was thinking the 60inch it weighs around 500 pounds, I have read all the debates about the size and weight issues lots of pros and cons there

Thanks for any help

 

[rvaitor]

I have ordered a new L4740 with third function valve now I am searching for a general purpose grapple to do a lot of different task

I think I have read every single thread on grapples search could come up with but I have a few Questions still

I am interested in the WILD CAT root grapple The price is what really interest me. My uses would be for a large assortment of uses such as relocating downed trees, limbs, some rocks.

When brush hogging I seem to run across a large assortment of obstacles that need to be removed, typically I just push everything out of the way or up to the fence (pasture). I also plan on cutting down some cedar trees that need to be piled up for a latter burning I also need to clear some trails in the woods

The design of this grapple looks like it would not offer much protection for the tractor when pushing up piles of limbs or reaching down to grab a tree with limbs sticking out.

When going for the roots it looks like the loader would be in the dump position is that hard on the loader cylinders. Does it really push out small saplings roots and all?

This thing would be on my tractor 80% of the time Do you guys see any real concerns with this design. I was thinking the 60inch it weighs around 500 pounds, I have read all the debates about the size and weight issues lots of pros and cons there

Thanks for any help

I've got a versatech grapple and my experience is you can't just drive through whatever you want and leave a clear manicured path behind you. It takes some work.

I have found it useful in grabbing things and moving them(trees, brush, etc.

Others may be able to do more.

 

[Mark-in-Mo]

"I've got a versatech grapple and my experience is you can't just drive through whatever you want and leave a clear manicured path behind you. It takes some work."

Never thought it would be that great But it has got to be better than doing it by hand

 

[3RRL]

Looks like a pretty good design to me. My only concern about removing stuff like for brush hogging would be if there were some rocks small enough to filter through the bottom. But other than that, it should do a great job for you.

About pushing out small saplings and such, if done right it should not be bad on the cylinders. You're right that the design lends itself to having the grapple in a slightly dumped position. You would drive into the roots a bit but instead of just keep driving forward, curl the grapple as you drive into the sapling. This allows the fel to do its work using the design of the grapple. It pivots up against that "bent up" front edge and "pries" the sapling up while driving forward. They come out much easier that way and a lot less strain on the fel.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Mark, welcome to TBN. I have a grapple similar to the one you are thinking about getting. They are a great attachment. I'm not sure of your tractor's capabilities, but grapples are very versatile. Everything takes some technique, you will have to get used to what you can and can not do in the circumstances that you have. Some of the posters have said that you can't just put your grapple down and go and leave a cleared path. Well, I beg to differ. I can and have done just that. But my tractor weighs around 12,000lbs, and that is clearing brush and some scrub oak in top soil. I put the front of the grapple down in the ground about 6" with the teeth parallel to the top of the ground and go. the brush just piles up in the grapple, when it's full you stop and go and dump. I doubt that I would be able to do that with anything much bigger than 4" though. Your tractor is not as heavy and so your capabilities are going to be different, as are your working conditions. I would strongly consider your choice of the Wild Cat grapple. Many members here have that brand and seem to be happy with them. Oh, I have not had any problems with limbs hitting my grill either.

Good luck

 

[BarryinMN]

I have a rock bucket (tines are 2.5" apart) & grapple. Your concerns are accurate as poking a hole in the radiator is not cool! Ag tractor FEL's are flimsy compared to skid steers, TLB's, payloaders and the true root rake machine a dozer.

Digging out something is not it's strong point - picking up already loose stuff is perfect.

The grapple stays on the tractor pretty much until it's time to switch to the snow bucket.

Attach pictures of it working. I'm looking for a small 54-60" double grapple root rake to fit on a 33 hp skidsteer to be able to grab corners of logs on my trails that are gator width.

 

[Mark-in-Mo]

Thanks guys I really apreciate the input. The grapple will really mostly be used as hand most of the time. Sometimes there is that wild honeysuckle that needs to be taken care of .

The roots I was referring too was from 1inch and less saplings growing in a possible food plot site. Only when the ground has enough moisture maybe this would be possible.

I like to think that the grapple would give me more options when dealing with dead falls and rocks and other debri .

Thanks again

 

[IslandTractor]

I have ordered a new L4740 with third function valve now I am searching for a general purpose grapple to do a lot of different task

I think I have read every single thread on grapples search could come up with but I have a few Questions still

I am interested in the WILD CAT root grapple The price is what really interest me. My uses would be for a large assortment of uses such as relocating downed trees, limbs, some rocks.

When brush hogging I seem to run across a large assortment of obstacles that need to be removed, typically I just push everything out of the way or up to the fence (pasture). I also plan on cutting down some cedar trees that need to be piled up for a latter burning I also need to clear some trails in the woods

The design of this grapple looks like it would not offer much protection for the tractor when pushing up piles of limbs or reaching down to grab a tree with limbs sticking out.

When going for the roots it looks like the loader would be in the dump position is that hard on the loader cylinders. Does it really push out small saplings roots and all?

This thing would be on my tractor 80% of the time Do you guys see any real concerns with this design. I was thinking the 60inch it weighs around 500 pounds, I have read all the debates about the size and weight issues lots of pros and cons there

Thanks for any help

The WildKat 60" root grapple is a pretty standard design and it should work well. I wouldn't be concerned about damage to your tractor as you grapple trees or limbs...I haven't had any trouble at all and it just takes some common sense to watch what you are loading. Luckily it is right in front of you and you would naturally be looking straight at it as you load. It is certainly possible for random limbs to occasionally pop through the grapple tines but I've never had one hit my tractor grill. I watch carefully but mostly to insure that the limbs don't hurt the hydraulic lines to the grapple itself.

You mention you are attracted by the price of the WildKat but it is cheap only in comparison to the $3000 Anbo. Most of the other companies like WRLong and Millonzi make grapples for about the same price. One guy on TBN (Air19) reported getting a 48" Wildkat root grapple for $500 in a package deal. That was a great price but $1400 for a 60" is a decent price not really exceptional. The 60" Millonzi is about the same and I think the lighter duty WRLong is in that range too. If you've read my posts you know that I've been perfectly happy with the light duty 48 from Millonzi on both my 21hp and 40hp tractors. My DK40se FEL is about as strong or stonger than the Kubota offerings on the L4740 and the Kioti is heavier so if the smaller grapples work on mine I'm sure they'd work on yours too. The concern about "light duty" grapples not being strong enough is just baloney. No one has reported damaging one. As I recall the only report of a damaged grapple on TBN was by someone who bent or twisted an ANBO. If you use the grapple as designed to push forwards and lift loads then there is very little risk of damage even with a 50hp CUT.

I'll take a middle of the road position in this discussion on whether you can put a root grapple down in the soil and just drive forward clearing all in your path. I do that at times and MntView is certainly correct that it can be done however it is not always the most efficient way of using the grapple. It depends on how thick the brush is and what type and also what your soil conditions are. For starters it doesn't really leave you with a "clear" area as roots and small bushes will often be left behind simply because they break off or are stripped and then "leak" out of the grapple. I've managed to disconnect my loader hydraulics and even my electric 4WD wires by being a bit too aggressive by driving over broken roots and small trees/bushes. In thick brush I've learned it is better to take 8-10 foot long bites and then close the grapple and back out rather than just keep pushing. The most vulnerable connections tend to be under the operator station so I usually push just about that far before backing out. I often leave the bush hog or flail mower running while I grapple and will quickly followup by backing in the mower before I reenter a partially cleared area if I see lots of roots or stumps sticking up. I also agree that a bulldozer is the right tool for just lowering a root grapple and driving forwards, a tractor FEL has much longer and more vulnerable arms and twisting them when encountering a large rock or stump with one corner of your grapple would not be a great thing to do.

 

[mikim]

I've got this one - http://www.rootgrapple.com/standgrapple.html-
and am really happy with it. same design and price area as that wildcat. I don't think you'll be disappointed. It takes a little practice like everything else - but it'll dig up small saplings and brush just fine thank you.

 

[IslandTractor]

Mike, your link has an extra dash at the end that prevents it from working properly.