Root grapple for a Grand L 4240 / LA 854

[Tbird1]

Am new to the forum, and would appreciate some seasoned advice. My dealer ordered a new 72" root grapple from ceattachments.com. http://www.ceattachments.com/Librari...t_Grapples.pdf
It appears to weigh 820 lbs, and is clearly for a skid steer. I'm wondering if this is overkill for the 854. I'll be using it to clear brush and large ash tree sections. I've seen the offerings from EverythingAttachments.com, and they come in at around 525 lbs, and around $1800-1900. At $2500, and 820 lbs., the question is whether the extra 300 lbs, and $700 is worth it? Thoughts? Thanks.

[gumshu]

Am new to the forum, and would appreciate some seasoned advice. My dealer ordered a new 72" root grapple from ceattachments.com. http://www.ceattachments.com/Librari...t_Grapples.pdf
It appears to weigh 820 lbs, and is clearly for a skid steer. I'm wondering if this is overkill for the 854. I'll be using it to clear brush and large ash tree sections. I've seen the offerings from EverythingAttachments.com, and they come in at around 525 lbs, and around $1800-1900. At $2500, and 820 lbs., the question is whether the extra 300 lbs, and $700 is worth it? Thoughts? Thanks.

I'd call everythingattachments to get their feedback. 825LBS sounds a little heavy, but may work with your loader arms. However, The lighter grapple may work better for you. The customer support at Everythingattachements is pretty good. Give them a call.

[HCJtractor]

Definitely not the grapple for you!! Read the many post by IslandTractor (the grapple guru on TBN) For years, Markham Welding made a great grapple for a great price. Gator Attachments bought them out and I think is still in business. What you need is a 48" light or regular duty grapple, no wider! The costs should be under $1500. Don't forget to factor in how to control it, either the cheap way (running hoses from the rear remote, or the best way (an electric over hydraulic control) from someone like WR Long, who makes the complete kit ($600 ish). Also make sure your FEL is skid steer compatible or you will have to buy an adapter.

I assume your FEL has about 2000lb. lift capacity. A heavy grapple will eat up your lift capacity. A compact tractor does not need the same grapple as a skid steer. He is giving you bad advice.

I have a bigger tractor than yours, a M 6800 with a 2500 lb. capacity, and my 48" grapple is a beast. Many reasons for a narrower one, including better digging or uprooting power, less weight, lower cost, more simple, and absolutely no limits as compared to a wider one. Don't fall into the trap of thinking a grapple needs to be the same width as your bucket. Think of a grapple as a shovel. When you dig up a tree, you would not use a wide bladed snow shovel, but rather a narrower digging shovel that can be plunged into the ground with force. A 48" is a good balance for good digging penetration yet plenty of pick up ability to carry off debris. I can easily pick up more debris than I can see around and never have a problem dropping stuff. One upper thumb holds stuff just fine.

[dstig1]

Well there is a lot of argument about right sizing grapples... Island Tractor has a lot of good advice, but he has his biases like anyone, and so it doesn't cover all situations. Partly depends on your use.

If you are hauling tons of brush, then a 60" isn't too wide, IMHO. There is nothing magic about 48", it is just the smallest available size without going custom. That's what I have and it works fine. You can put some significant torque on your loader with a grapple if you are digging on one side, so narrower is better in that regard as it will torque the system less.

But the weight is definitely an issue. CUTs are not skid steers and do not have the lift capacity of skid steers. An implement that is too heavy is just sucking down your lift capacity for no benefit. Get the lightest grapple that fits your need for size and style.

And remember - any grapple is waaay better than none, when you need it...So don't get too hung up on the opinions (other than needing low weight, which is fact).

[Cat_Driver]

I bought a 48" on my Kubota and it was great and handles anything I could throw at it.

48" is less weigh which is better and the 48" does not limit how much you pick up. Remember when picking up branches etc. Even with a 48" you are picking up stuff all entangle that is up to 96" wide OR MORE.

After O sold the Kubota ( by the way I attached it to the tractor with a quick attach ) ...I then kept it for the CAT track loader I have now and it still is a beast of a grappler.

I bought mine here: Great company. They have done a lot of custom attachments for me.

WILDKAT ATTACHMENTS - Grapples

[HCJtractor]

Well there is a lot of argument about right sizing grapples... Island Tractor has a lot of good advice, but he has his biases like anyone, and so it doesn't cover all situations. Partly depends on your use.

If you are hauling tons of brush, then a 60" isn't too wide, IMHO. There is nothing magic about 48", it is just the smallest available size without going custom. That's what I have and it works fine. You can put some significant torque on your loader with a grapple if you are digging on one side, so narrower is better in that regard as it will torque the system less.

But the weight is definitely an issue. CUTs are not skid steers and do not have the lift capacity of skid steers. An implement that is too heavy is just sucking down your lift capacity for no benefit. Get the lightest grapple that fits your need for size and style.

And remember - any grapple is waaay better than none, when you need it...So don't get too hung up on the opinions (other than needing low weight, which is fact).

I agree totally with what you say. If hauling brush is your main use, a 60" may have a slight advantage over a 48". If uprooting and digging is your usage, a narrower one is better. But a really heavy skid steer grapple is not what you should put on a CUT.

[jake98]

This is one of those 'too heavy skid-steer grapples', and the only time I've maxed out my lift capacity with it..
Not advocating over-buying, but 99% of the time it makes no difference, in my experience. If you're operating near your lift cap. on a regular basis, you probably need a bigger machine..

[Samandothers]

i have a L4240 and a 60" Markham and for me it is a great combo. It is lighter but has never had a problem carrying brush, poles rocks etc. The weight of the one you are looking at sounds a bit steep for a CUT.

[Tbird1]

Just a quick thanks to all who took the time to reply. Very good input and greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

[Piston]

Well there is a lot of argument about right sizing grapples... Island Tractor has a lot of good advice, but he has his biases like anyone, and so it doesn't cover all situations. Partly depends on your use.

If you are hauling tons of brush, then a 60" isn't too wide, IMHO. There is nothing magic about 48", it is just the smallest available size without going custom. That's what I have and it works fine. You can put some significant torque on your loader with a grapple if you are digging on one side, so narrower is better in that regard as it will torque the system less.

But the weight is definitely an issue. CUTs are not skid steers and do not have the lift capacity of skid steers. An implement that is too heavy is just sucking down your lift capacity for no benefit. Get the lightest grapple that fits your need for size and style.

And remember - any grapple is waaay better than none, when you need it...So don't get too hung up on the opinions (other than needing low weight, which is fact).

That is great advice!

I am wondering if you ever ended up buying a grapple? And hopefully not the heavy duty one