Grapple New grapple questions...

   / New grapple questions... #1  

xtn

Platinum Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2011
Messages
900
Tractor
New Holland Boomer 50
Sorry to start a thread when there is already so much grapple content posted, but having read through a huge amount of it already I find myself with three (several really, but they can be sorted down into three main considerations) questions left unanswered. I want to get a grapple for my CUT but not knowing these things is making it hard for me to choose one.

1. Do the upper and lower tines pass each other such that the tips line up? In other words, could an operator carefully reach down and pick up a broomstick without much ground damage?

2. Do the upper and lower tine tips pass each other and keep closing further? Many designs have a support bar running across the width a few inches back from the tips. Do the upper tines come down enough to at least clamp against that bar? If no such bar, will the upper tines mesh all the way down through the lower tines? The units with longer, flatter lower tines especially appear to have a large open space even when closed. If they can pick up that broomstick, can they then carry it securely or is it bouncing around in the large open space?

3. Various designs seem to have different base angles for the skid-steer type quick attach plate. Many seem to be vertical, unlike the back of my loader bucket which is tilted forward maybe 20 degrees or so. So it seems like I've got to have my plates curled back some just to have the grapple level. Seems like I wouldn't have a lot of curl range left to rock the grapple back. Is this something that anybody else has worried about or does it just not present a problem in operation?

I'm hoping some of you will chime in with the model of your grapple unit and how it answers these questions. I'd be awfully thankful!

xtn
 
   / New grapple questions... #2  
I've seen both bypassing and non-bypassing.

the really big ones seam to be more likely to bypass so they can store more compactly.

you can always pinch a log with non-bypassing ones. since the small logs are right on the ground anyways, that is what tends to happen naturally.

ETA: I was talking about the clam-shell type. is that what you are asking about?
 
   / New grapple questions... #3  
I have a BIG grapple made by RakeMaster. Not what you want for a CUT. It's the clam shell style.

1 Upper tines are not in line with lower tines. I am sure I would put marks in the ground picking up a broom stick.

2 Cylinder travel is what limits my tine overlap. The upper tines do not travel far enough to hit anything. Your broomstick would be loose

3 I can rollback enough to hand load if required. More would be better, but that would take away from dumping angle. I can't roll back and slide under things like a set of pallet forks would. Clam shell types are not designed to slide under the load than clamp and lift. They are more to push until a load is accumulated then clamp and lift. Or come down from above and clamp the load.
 
   / New grapple questions...
  • Thread Starter
#4  
ETA: I was talking about the clam-shell type. is that what you are asking about?

I would like responses for either type. Thanks.
 
   / New grapple questions... #5  
Here is the Gator/Markham 48" fully closed...

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   / New grapple questions... #6  
If you are considering a removeable upper grapple that attaches to your existing FEL bucket, also consider a toothbar at the same time as you will need to insure that there is adequate tooth/tooth separation between the two units when fully closed.
I sent a side profile of the FEL bucket to MIE and asked that they design the grapple for an "overbite" which they did. They sent me back CAD drawings and measurements for my approval and this is what I got back.
The toothbar is by others and I installed it before the grapple build.
 

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   / New grapple questions...
  • Thread Starter
#7  
That looks like a good design, Nickel Plate.
 
   / New grapple questions... #8  
That looks like a good design, Nickel Plate.

MIE is a TBN advertiser-go to the General Forums page, go to the "Kioti Owning/Operating" forum and look over to the right and you will see their add. Click it on and that will take you to their web site for descriptive photos and pricing. They do sell Kioti tractors but also run a large attachments design and fabrication shop. My grapple is made by them right here on American soil.
I've had three large rolls of used 6' livestock wire fencing laying in my pasture for a couple of weeks now all because I hurt my back while rolling them up and jacking them around so today I felt well enough to get out in the garden and plant 24 tomatoes. After doing that I got the tractor out of the shop and drove out to the wire rolls and grappled them up and moved them to a more secure area. What a blast it is to pick things up with a grapple!
 
 
 
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