Grapple heavier grapple or not

G man466 · Nov 30, 2010

Hello guys! i'm a greenhorn here. i've recently purschased a new kubota M5140 4wd it has 51 hp with a weight of 4675lbs FEL 1153 lift capacity of 2320 lbs center of bucket and WR long 3rd function valve. looking at going with the LD 48'' grapple from markham or beef it up to 1/2 stock. i'm leaning heavily towards the lighter one unless i missed something in one of the many previous post here. Any input will be appreciated.

jake98 · Nov 30, 2010

I'd go with a wider one. Rootgrapple.com is where I got mine.
Welcome to TBN!

foggy1111 · Nov 30, 2010

G man466 said:
Hello guys! i'm a greenhorn here. i've recently purschased a new kubota M5140 4wd it has 51 hp with a weight of 4675lbs FEL 1153 lift capacity of 2320 lbs center of bucket and WR long 3rd function valve. looking at going with the LD 48'' grapple from markham or beef it up to 1/2 stock. i'm leaning heavily towards the lighter one unless i missed something in one of the many previous post here. Any input will be appreciated.

I have a Markham / Gator LD48" grapple......and I have very limited experience using mine so far. But, from what I have seen and read.....if I had your tractor, I would go for the 1/2" steel (at least on the outside tines and perhaps in the middle too).

I don't think you will need a wider grapple....and the tines are quite long....so the size should be fine...but you have lots more tractor weight and power than many others with this size grapple....so I would consider the thicker steel...and maybe some gussets in the corners to beef things up too.

I'm betting someone with a similar size tractor will chime in for you.

jake98 · Nov 30, 2010

What are you gonna use it for G man?

jake98 · Nov 30, 2010

check these out:
Skid Steer loader Root Grapple Heavy Duty
the dual grapples are a definate advantage, so is the width.
they'll make them in quick attach or pin-on, whatever you want.
they also have the lighter duty, that's what I bought, it wont get bent..

G man466 · Nov 30, 2010

hey guys sorry for the lack of info....i'll be using the grapple to clean up 25 acres 5 years after hurricane Katrina took over 100 trees down still counting

jake98 · Nov 30, 2010

well, you definately need one, you narrowed that down..

foggy1111 · Nov 30, 2010

jake98 said:
check these out:
Skid Steer loader Root Grapple Heavy Duty
the dual grapples are a definate advantage, so is the width.
they'll make them in quick attach or pin-on, whatever you want.
they also have the lighter duty, that's what I bought, it wont get bent..

There are a few folks on this site that would present a different view on grapple width and size than that given above. Some have allot of hours under their belt.

Check some of the posts by Island Tractor. He has lots to say on grapple sizes and lots of experience to back his viewpoint. All grapples are good.....some are just better.

I'm pretty new at grapples to have definite opinions.....but I did remove about 25 trees from a windstorm in about an hour with mine. So far a root rake grapple like the 48" LD Markham are pretty slick.

:thumbsup:

G man466 · Nov 30, 2010

jake98 said:
well, you definately need one, you narrowed that down..

lol jake....i've been telling my wife that for a year now and figured it out in 5 mins

G man466 · Nov 30, 2010

foggy1111 said:
There are a few folks on this site that would present a different view on grapple width and size than that given above. Some have allot of hours under their belt.

Check some of the posts by Island Tractor. He has lots to say on grapple sizes and lots of experience to back his viewpoint. All grapples are good.....some are just better. I'm pretty new at grapples to have definite opinions.....but I did remove about 25 trees from a windstorm in about an hour with mine. So far a root rake grapple like the 48" LD Markham are pretty slick. :thumbsup:

wow! you may have just sold me on the LD 48"