Grapple questions about choice of root grapple

[JoeBuyer]

Quoted from our website on ALL Construction Attachments root grapples:
"Free Shipping within Continental USA!" to a commercial business or supporting freight terminal!!!!!

For even more piece of mind, I can send anything on our website in the 500 pound range to a commercial business in your zip code(assuming it is 91016) or the freight terminal in Los Angeles for around $100.
The rates differ for certain areas that aren't near a major city but sounds pretty good in your case!
So no matter where you are in the US, don't hesitate to give us a try.

I did the freight terminal free shipping from EverythingAttachments, it worked well. I just needed to show up at the freight terminal with my truck and they loaded it into the bed with a forklift. Easy.

 

[Deerherd]

Dave, your MIE grapple looks even better on your tractor than the grapple looked on the MIE web site. I had concluded that the MIE grapples were probably the strongest units per pound of weight of all that I had looked at. For my particular application, I decided on longer lower tines and a wider jaw width, but I envy your unit's sturdy and tidy look. I look forward to seeing the pics of your unit in action. I'll bet I get jealous. By the way, do you keep all of your equipment in such pristine condition as is shown on the photos, or did you spend hours today washing up for the pics? Just kidding.

I thought everybody waxed their tractor every other week!? I only wax the rotary cutter once a month, so I'm really not that compulsive.....

My friend with the WildKat grapple came over to see my MIE and picked right up on a couple things I hadn't learned yet. First, there are 4 tines within 20" of the center and he felt it would be good for "grubbing". I was a little hesitant, the second coat of wax was hardly dry on the grapple and the shrub he was eyeing was actually a lilac bush! After picking out something we both couldn't identify he went at it and popped it right out of the ground. Now I know I should go get the camera but it's a three minute walk to the house, two to get the camera and three more back and I really don't trust him for that long with my tractor, new grapple and his general lack of knowledge of flora and fauna.

He also liked the top jaw being about 16" wider with four attachment points vs two on the WildKat and the way the cylinder and hose was protected on the MIE. He also moved a 20' plus 8" log and purposely grabbed it favoring one side to see if it would handle it, it did. He said that the WildKat needed a better center hold with it's narrower top. I was getting nervous I would never get him out of the cab, thank god I had a couple beers for bait.

I asked him how he liked it compared to the WildKat and he said for a fair comparison he would need it for about a month, two tops. He saild he would go home and get it tonight and drop it off if I wanted. I graciously declined. Hopefully tomorrow I can get some photos/video of it in action.

 

[Kioti Tom]

The 1/2" quick couplers are easy to install. I bought two ISO 5675 sets for about 30 bucks here... ISO 5675 Agricultural Hydraulic Quick Disconnects

My 3rd function required the 3/8 couplers on the hoses. I ordered my 48" Wildcat without the couplers and installed my own. On other equipment I took the flat face couplers off and I ended up selling them to a friend with a skid steer. He needed some.

That MIE grapple looks wicked! Have fun with it if you can get your friend out of the cab.:laughing:

 

[gumshu]

My 3rd function required the 3/8 couplers on the hoses. I ordered my 48" Wildcat without the couplers and installed my own. On other equipment I took the flat face couplers off and I ended up selling them to a friend with a skid steer. He needed some.

That MIE grapple looks wicked! Have fun with it if you can get your friend out of the cab.:laughing:

Interesting. My 3rd function kit came with 3/8th hoses and these 1/2" Ag couplers at the Bulkhead.... So I replaced the flat face couplers on the grapple with the same 1/2 QD's. However, I may wind up going back to flat face later. The Ag couplers tend to spout a little fluid when hooking up. Nevertheless, the grapple works great.

 

[gumshu]

I thought everybody waxed their tractor every other week!?
... the second coat of wax was hardly dry on the grapple...

Now that's funny! You sound like a kid with a new toy.

 

[JD 4520]

Now that's funny! You sound like a kid with a new toy.

You think!

 

[foggy1111]

I've followed a few grapple threads here on TBN. My grapple has been one of the most useful implements I could want for my compact tractor.

Island Tractor has the right ideas on how a grapple should be made for CUT tractors....and he has tirelessly pointed folks in the right direction in this area. He should be commended for taking the time to point so many in the right direction. The products are getting closer to suit CUT needs.

Some day....perhaps a few quality manufactures will provide the type of product (for a fair price) that he continues to promote to those that will listen. One can hope.

 

[JoeBuyer]

Interesting. My 3rd function kit came with 3/8th hoses and these 1/2" Ag couplers at the Bulkhead.... So I replaced the flat face couplers on the grapple with the same 1/2 QD's. However, I may wind up going back to flat face later. The Ag couplers tend to spout a little fluid when hooking up. Nevertheless, the grapple works great.

This is very true of Ag couplers, they are messy. I don't have any flat faced ones due to wanting compatibility between all 10 tractors, but avoiding the dripping would be nice. I keep a rag handy all the time when disconnecting hoses. I actually wish I started with flat faced couplers, they are easier to keep clean as well. I haven't used the flat face much, just on rental equipment, but as I recall there is not as much leakage. But I can't say on the rental that I paid that much attention.

 

[Deerherd]

That is a very nice looking grapple. The tips are a little more blunt than most. Can you get under things with it okay?

After trying the MIE for less than half a day in a steady drizzle, I wouldn't want the 48". If the 48" digs better than a 60" I would just be getting into more trouble. And for us guys who are clearing trails, having it the same width as the tractor is sweet. If I can't dig it out with this thing I really should be calling for a backhoe.

As far as brush, it grabs enough to make it impossible to maneuver the tractor in a tight spot (make that anywhere that's not a FIELD!) More than a couple times I had to reduce the load because I couldn't make the turn, especially with the rotary mower being used.

I spent half an hour picking up logs of various sizes, (OK, some of the same logs 3 or four times!) and it worked great. Someone mentioned about the steepness of the angle on the front lower tines for picking things up and I never noticed it. I did notice some pretty good dirt gouging but I think that is more "operator learning curve" related trying to scoop the log versus grabbing it and rolling it into the grapple. Don't let anyone near your putting green with one of these. With brush you don't even notice.

So far you can mark me down as very pleased. Watching the rain bead on a newly waxed tractor while moving logs and listening to the radio is technically multi-tasking work isn't it?

 

[HCJtractor]

A box blade on the rear is the perfect accessory for a grapple. It will smooth the soil after grappling and collect any missed debris. A rotary cutter will be bothersome due to its length and poor ability to go in reversre