GinNB
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2007
- Messages
- 336
- Location
- NB, Canada, eh?
- Tractor
- 2x Kubota M108S, M105S, 2x M9000, IH885, IH584, IH484, IH454, F3000, F3610, C50, JX70, Landini 5830, JD4630 sprayer
I've been needing a grapple for a while at work and finally ordered one after quite a bit of online research, price-checking, and figuring out what we'd be using it for. I looked at 4 basic designs- stone fork or rock bucket (long bottom teeth with about 3" spacing), Millonzi/Markham longtooth with open spacing, brush grapple (very open clamshell design), and the AnBo/BoDozer-type clamshell design with 6" tine spacing. Unfortunately, most of the designs I found on the web were for American manufacturers. That didn't make them impossible to get, but just a bit more difficult (customs, shipping, etc) and expensive with the Canadian dollar falling 20% or more lately. I did find a few manufacturers that had Canadian distributers (AnBo for one), but their nearest dealer was out west and I'm in eastern Canada. I discarded a few possible manufacturers (Markham was one) because of the steel used (I wanted 400 Brinell or higher) and mounting system available (I've got the Alo/Quicke/Euro Qtach design on my loaders). Here were a few of my options-
Anbo Manufacturing, Makers of agricultural and construction attachments for all types of loaders, backhoes and tractors
Grapples
HORST WELDING | HLA >> Grapples
I eventually decided on a clamshell design with 6" spacing, but I was tempted by the S. Houle stone fork with grapple. I was quoted $5300 for the B6 6 footer with grapple (not the Graptor, probably the GP-06) from my local Deere dealer. Too expensive for my taste, and I don't really need stone sifting capability. Their brush grapple was too open for what I wanted, because I'd like to be able to pick up some smaller rocks. Their grapple design seemed to be a bit too open as well- something that would hold in loose trash a bit better would be nice at times.
The AnBo clamshell is very nice and right along my needs but was a bit expensive ($3747 US from Washington and their nearest dealer was in Alberta, 3/4 of the continent away).
Anyway, I ended up ordering a Horst Welding RRG66 with hydraulic quick couplers for $3300 Cdn. Here's the beast- HORST WELDING | HLA >> ROOT RAKE C/W GRAPPLE
I'll be going to the dealer tomorrow to pick it up. Pics and my opinions to follow. I can't compare it to anything because it's the only tractor FEL grapple I've seen. Nobody else in my area's got one.
It'll be going on either a Kubota M9000 or M105S, depending on which is more convenient. I'm thinking probably the M9000 first because the 105 doesn't have the skidplate on it yet.
Got a small tree punched through the cheapo skidplate protecting the fuel line between the two diesel tanks the other day which, in addition to the fuel barb on one of the tanks, also destroyed two hydraulic lines and the cable controlling the front differential lock. Gotta love backing into brush to be bush-hogged. The cable is backordered as well. Grrr... Local machine shop has been warned that it's coming in for a skidplate to match the other machines.
Anbo Manufacturing, Makers of agricultural and construction attachments for all types of loaders, backhoes and tractors
Grapples
HORST WELDING | HLA >> Grapples
I eventually decided on a clamshell design with 6" spacing, but I was tempted by the S. Houle stone fork with grapple. I was quoted $5300 for the B6 6 footer with grapple (not the Graptor, probably the GP-06) from my local Deere dealer. Too expensive for my taste, and I don't really need stone sifting capability. Their brush grapple was too open for what I wanted, because I'd like to be able to pick up some smaller rocks. Their grapple design seemed to be a bit too open as well- something that would hold in loose trash a bit better would be nice at times.
The AnBo clamshell is very nice and right along my needs but was a bit expensive ($3747 US from Washington and their nearest dealer was in Alberta, 3/4 of the continent away).
Anyway, I ended up ordering a Horst Welding RRG66 with hydraulic quick couplers for $3300 Cdn. Here's the beast- HORST WELDING | HLA >> ROOT RAKE C/W GRAPPLE
I'll be going to the dealer tomorrow to pick it up. Pics and my opinions to follow. I can't compare it to anything because it's the only tractor FEL grapple I've seen. Nobody else in my area's got one.
It'll be going on either a Kubota M9000 or M105S, depending on which is more convenient. I'm thinking probably the M9000 first because the 105 doesn't have the skidplate on it yet.
Got a small tree punched through the cheapo skidplate protecting the fuel line between the two diesel tanks the other day which, in addition to the fuel barb on one of the tanks, also destroyed two hydraulic lines and the cable controlling the front differential lock. Gotta love backing into brush to be bush-hogged. The cable is backordered as well. Grrr... Local machine shop has been warned that it's coming in for a skidplate to match the other machines.