Grapple Grapple for B3300su

[Ductape]

Can't help with the grapple, but the price on the Long kit is about right from what I've seen. Instead of paying your dealer to install the kit..... any chance you can do it yourself ? Alot of folks here have. Shouldn't be very difficult for anyone who is mildly mechanically inclined.

 

[scoutcub]

Can't help with the grapple, but the price on the Long kit is about right from what I've seen. Instead of paying your dealer to install the kit..... any chance you can do it yourself ? Alot of folks here have. Shouldn't be very difficult for anyone who is mildly mechanically inclined.

I just installed the grapple valve myself, and it wasn't that bad of a project. Actually pretty straightforward.
My dealer wasn't even sure if they could send me the kits, as it is a dealer-installed option.
Saved some $$$!!

 

[Gordon Gould]

I also did my own valve. Whole thing was less than $250. Never did hydraulics before. It was interesting. My L3010 must be very similar to your tractor. Here is a thread describing what I did. There is another thread inside that one that has all the parts details.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/202187-finished-3rd-function-valve-project.html

 

[Eric102]

I decided on the WR Long OBG2 48". At 357lbs its not much different than my bucket - especially with the clamp on forks I've been using to do jobs I would be using the grapple for.

I called the closest WR Long dealer (listed on their web site) and got a quote for the wrong model today, which was much more expensive ($2500 plus $300 shipping for a 56" OBG2). I'm hoping for a quote on the 48" tomorrow.

The 52" UT-S ANBO single top weighs in at 390 lbs and my dealer quoted me $2,850 installed, $375 of that was for the John Deere Quick-tatch mounting system. The double top was $125 more, both versions use 2 top cylinders.

 

[Hilltop Hillbilly]

I decided on the WR Long OBG2 48". At 357lbs its not much different than my bucket - especially with the clamp on forks I've been using to do jobs I would be using the grapple for.

At that weight, have you considered the 48" Wildkat econo grapple? Many of us have them and couldn't be happier. Mine listed at 425lbs., but other have stated that actual weight is around 350lbs. I got mine for $550 plus $171 shipping to upstate NY. A *TERRIFIC* value.

As for the WR Long 3rd function kit, they quoted $900, which seems like more than others are paying. Any help would be appreciated.

I went with the W.R Long kit, but got it from everythingattachments for $750 with free shipping. It was easy to install, although I had two minor niggles with it.
1) The QD couplers they sent were leaky and I had to spend another $20 for quality ones that didn't leak.
2) The adapter they sent to plug into the power beyond port was an o-ring style that didn't work. I had my dealer modify the hydraulic line to connect directly to the tractor instead.

Otherwise, I'm *very* happy so far with the W.R. Long third function kit.

 

[JTY531]

I am installing the WR Long valve kit myself as soon as I can get my hands on one.

I went with the WR Long grapple over the econo grapple only because it was slightly lighter according to the specs posted on the internet (I'm worried about weight). Plus WR Long will make a pin on version for my loader (again, I don't want the weight or the expense of the SSQA - though I would love the convenience).

I talked to Nelson this morning at WR Long, and just like every post I've read, he was a great help. For those thinking of their grapples, I would just call him since that would have saved me about a week.

With his help and a local dealer, I just placed my order. Should arrive in 3+ weeks. I'm excitedly planning about a year's worth of projects already

 

[dstig1]

Sounds like you are all set, but to answer your one question - I have the add-on button (I used Fasse for my valve and switch and they were very helpful). It works perfectly - it sits in a good position and is easy to trigger or not trigger, as desired. So I wouldn't be afraid of that.

Hard to see but it is the slightly lighter gray long rectangular thing below the knob on the left. The switch is entirely enclosed in a rubber boot for weather protection.

 

[jeff9366]

So my issue is whether the weight is going to be too much to get a solid benefit out of the grapple (for moving brush, logs, branches).

I have a Kubota B3300SU as well. I struggled with the same issues.
Here is my setup, which has been very satisfactory for "brush, logs, branches."

I bought a set of ALUMINUM DEBRIS FORKS from Payne's Forks.
These forks weigh only 50 pounds and clamp TIGHTLY onto the bucket without external tools. A little pricey, these were $775 delivered in February 2012.
Aluminum forks do not decrease your lift weight much and are easy to take on and off because of the modest weight. Forks consist of five tines on a crosspiece, the tines stick out from your bucket about 24". I use them for tearing out wild vines up to an inch, just put the tractor in low/4WD and drive slowly into the vines, then lift the bucket/forks and back out. Great for collecting tangled vines and all kinds of "brush" and "branches".

For logs I have two "Kenny's Bolt-On Grab Hooks" bolted onto top of the bucket at the cylinders, which I use with 5/16" Grade 70 chain, with a Grade 70 clevis grab hook on one end and a Grade 70 clevis slip hook on the other. I just move the bucket up to the log, sometimes perpendicular, sometimes on end to lift the log, run a chain underneath, then lock a chain link into each of the two Kenny's Bolt-On Grab Hooks to hold the log to the bucket.....and lift.....up to 750 pounds with the B3300SU. If the log is heavy, over 300 pounds, be sure to have a counterweight in the rear; I keep a Wallenstein BX42 PTO Chipper on the 3-Pt, which is about 425 pounds. And away to the burn pile.....

I use the slip hook and chain to choke and drag long logs with the tractor drawbar, drawbar is a $49 dealer option on the B3300SU.

This is simpler (KISS) than what you are considering and has worked well for me.

NOTE: Customer Service at Payne's Forks is a trial. Payne's web page is out-of-date, BPayne does not answer e-mails, Payne's Customer Service told me forks would ship in two days and charged my credit card on day of order; forks did not ship for three weeks. Never could get a trucker or tracking number from them. Customer Service from the Last Century. Good quality product; BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

You can Google these suppliers. I also suggest you consider Bucket Solutions as an alternative to Payne's. However, Bucket Solutions does not have aluminum Debris Forks, Bucket Solutions offer Debris Forks in steel.

JBS352

 

[jeff9366]

Here are photos of Payne's Aluminum Debris Forks.

Jeff352