Grapple Grapples for Canadians

[GinNB]

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.

 

[pitt_md]

Thats one He!! of a grapple you got there

 

[jgrreed]

I'm very interested to hear what you have to say. I have an HLA spear and as of yesterday pallet forks. They're very well built.

I'm interested in moving brush, rocks, etc. What HLA model would you suggest???

-J.

 

[GinNB]

jgrreed, the one I got (RRG66) will be used mostly for brush but some for moving rocks 10-24" in diameter. It was a bit of a tossup which model I wanted because I really liked their retainer-style stone fork HORST WELDING | HLA >> STONE FORK ( RETAINER STYLE TINES), which is also available with a few different grapples (not really mentioned on their website). Some are a two month wait though.

Check out their scrap grapple, debris grapple, regular utility grapple, and large utility grapple. They can mix and match a bit between what's shown on the site, but you'd have to ask to find out if the combination you're interested in is in stock. Look at the top grapple portions on the forks and buckets on this page HORST WELDING | HLA >> Grapples

As for which one is for you, I had to guess what I'd be using mine for in the future. If scooping up lots of smaller loose debris off the ground sounds like something you'll be doing at all, then I think I'd get the retainer-style stone fork with a grapple attached. Not sure which grapple combinations are available on short order though. The loose-debris scooping I'd likely be doing would probably be best done with a bucket (the dirt will probably be in sods, so the sifting action of the forks would be wasted), so I didn't get the stone fork version. I've already got a bucket.

 

[GinNB]

The grapple's sitting in the back of the truck now but it's dark and raining out. If the rain stops I'll take a few pics after supper.

 

[GinNB]

Here's a couple of pics of it on the back of the truck. The camera wouldn't focus in the dark last night.

 

[GinNB]

Tried it yesterday on a few rock piles. The lower teeth slice nicely through sod to get under rocks. The tips (first 6" maybe?) of the lower teeth are 400 plate for strength and long wear. 1/2" 400 plate is plenty tough, and so is the rest of the grapple. It's heavy enough that I notice a difference in weight from the 8' material bucket that's normally on the front.

I think I'd prefer either slightly longer bottom teeth or more rollback angle to improve passive holding, but it does a pretty good job of grabbing rocks. For a grapple on the front of an M105S Kubota it could stand to have a bit greater holding capacity on rocks because I've got lots of loader capacity left from what I could grab of breadbox/microwave sized granite in piles. That's without loaded rear tires or a counterweight. Will definitely need some extensions on the teeth to tax it on brushpiles. I'm thinking of maybe welding some plates on it for mounting 3 bale spears, but we'll see after it's used in anger on some 10' tall piles.

 

[jgrreed]

Any thoughts on the value in the HLA vs. the Millonzi grapples that are discussed elsewhere on TBN. People seem to be pretty happy with the Millonzi, and are paying about 1/3 the price. For those of you in Eastern Canada they're only a few hours south of you in Perry, Ohio.

I love my HLA spear and pallet forks, but for 1/3 the price (~1000cdn to get it home I'd guess) a grapple is almost justifiable (is that a word??).

-J.

 

[kennyd]

Any thoughts on the value in the HLA vs. the Millonzi grapples that are discussed elsewhere on TBN. People seem to be pretty happy with the Millonzi, and are paying about 1/3 the price. For those of you in Eastern Canada they're only a few hours south of you in Perry, Ohio.

I love my HLA spear and pallet forks, but for 1/3 the price (~1000cdn to get it home I'd guess) a grapple is almost justifiable (is that a word??).

-J.

J., Millonzi is out of business as of about three or so months ago...Search "millonzi" and you will find some recent threads.

The best deal now is Markham Welding, they are selling a light-duty 48" grapple for about $900.00 and free shipping(is they still have that offer)

 

[GinNB]

Hmmm, don't mean to spread misinformation, but didn't I read that Millonzi went under? I looked into others like Markham but didn't get one of theirs for a few reasons. 1- mild steel teeth, 2- long bottom teeth (wanted a clamshell), 3- not available in my mounting system (Quicke Qtach)

Value for the dollar? I didn't get the cheapest bang for the buck. Did I get a good match for a 10,000lb 105hp tractor? Yep.