Grapple Light Duty Grapple

[Beaux Duke]

I've read a few posts about the Markham LD grapple.

Anybody got any real life experience as to just how "light duty" or rather what the upper limits of it's capabilities would be?

I've got some rather large trees that have been down for a few years due to hurricanes Katrina and Gustav and more recently the blizzard of 08. (8 inches of snow in SE La)

I'm trying to determine about what length I would need to cut them up in order to not overload the grapple. Or maybe move up to the larger grapple? Is the LD grapple more suitable for brush?

My FEL is rated for 2500lbs

 

[wedge40]

I'd be more worried about overloading your tractor. I have one of the LD Markham grapples and they are pretty stout. I don't think you should have any problem with moving the trees as long as they are cut to reasonable length. If the weight is too much out of balance you risk the chance of twisting your loader.

Wedge

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have an ATI grapple which isnt as heavy duty as the markham.
I use to load logs in my dump truck.
I cut pine, fir and spruce up to 16" dia. at 10' or 12' long
I cut maple 8' or 10' long.
The biggest problem is balancing the load when the bucket is up.
And any sudden stops when the bucket is coming down can be trouble.

 

[Samandothers]

I agree with Wedge's comments. My loader does not have the power yours does (Kubota LA854 on a L4240) my limit has been my loader capacity. I have moved 36" Gum in about a 8' section that the loader would somewhat drag on the ground. I have moved 4" Oak with root ball that the weight was all the loader wanted to lift. I feel like I reached the limit of the loader component before reaching the grapple limit. Others with more loader power would have to push its limits. Don't think I will.

 

[HCJ]

I have a M6800 also with a 2500 lb. capacity. I had Markham build a custom 48" grapple built with 1/2 steel (instead of 3/8" steel like the light duty version) I also had them add extra "spacers" making the space between "teeth" 4.5" rather than 9". This helps to add strength and keeps smaller objects from falling out. This grapple has one thumb on top rather than 2 like their wider versions do. Works great. I can pick up anything my loader can lift, large tree stumps, logs, brush, rocks, etc. Also excells at pushing over and ripping out trees. Have done trees up to 8" easily. What limits the size is the lift capacity, not the grapple itself. I saw the light duty version side by side with mine. With my heavy tractor, I feel the heavier duty version is more suitable. It's just beefier. Believe me, I have really worked it hard, mainly clearing trees, and it has worked flawlessly with no problems whatsoever. It's an incredible tool.

 

[HCJ]

One more thought. My belief is that the light duty and the regular duty like I have would both be great for carrying debris, moving logs, brush piles etc. I think the difference would be in digging or ripping out roots. With a big tractor, if you sink the blades and drive forward to rip up trees or bushes, or stick the blades under a stump to dislodge it, you could overwhelm the light duty one more easily. If you plan to dig stumps and knock down trees (which is what I do with mine mainly), get the heavier duty one. If you plan to carry away debris or logs already cut, either would work fine.

 

[Beaux Duke]

HCJ, was your custom version priced reasonably?

I'd be interested in seeing some pics if you have any you could post. I don't want a real heavy extreme duty unit. I'm sure the light duty is well built but if I can get a unit like yours for a few hundred more then I'd sure consider it.

To be honest, when Melissa gave me a quote, she told me that for an extra $100 they'd send some replacement spacer tines and that caused me to think about a more substantial unit.

I'm sure her reason was so I'd have some on hand if I did damage it instead of having to wait for some to be delivered.

 

[Beaux Duke]

I have moved 36" Gum in about a 8' section

That's about the size I was hoping it would handle. I've got around 18-20 that I need to move. Mostly pine but a few oak.

 

[MikeB64]

These units look awesome! What prices would I be looking at for the ATI and the Markham. I have a Massey Ferguson 2410 with a 48" bucket.

 

[merlintractor]

Just bought a 48" light duty grapple for an MF 1246 loader for $900 plus shipping...great vendor to deal with! The ATI adapter for my loader looks like about $750