Grapple questions about choice of root grapple

[gumshu]

Well, I got my new grapple today. Ordered the 48" LW grapple from Palletforks.com yesterday, and it was delivered today.
I know there had been some suspect posts in regards to "TitanSkidsteer" in the past, but this was my experience. Spoke with Todd when ordering yesterday, and he answered all of my questions.

Mine arrived on a pallett with a steel "crate" built around it. (1-1/4"angle iron)
The grapple looks very well built. 3/8" tines, with jaw tines being 1/2". It appears they have modified their design somewhat from the pictures on the website.
Doesn't have the 1/8 plate underneath the cylinder for protection, instead it has a square tube with a channel welded to the top to shield the cylinder.
Tapped on the 3x3 top tube with a bolt and it sounds solid, defineatly not 1/8", plus the cylinder mount is more of a saddle that straddles the top tube.
It has recessed grease fitting on all of the pivots. Haven't had a chance to hook it up to check the fit of the QA, but I'll do that that this weekend. It got dark on me this evening, so all I had time to do was get it unloaded.
Once I get it hooked up, and try it out, I'll report back, and post some detailed pictures.

Hey rwork, you're overdue with those pictures.

[JD 4520]

New Question on the topic of grapple choices... background... I have a JD 4520 (55hp) w/ quick disconnect (QD) 400X Loader. My current bucket is 72" wide, wheel base is 66".

Do I want which of the following grapple choices: 66" w/ 2 cylinders (to cover the wheel base and can handle it); 48" single cylinder; other size or configuration?

I am inclined to go with the 48" single cylinder model - why or why not?

[IslandTractor]

New Question on the topic of grapple choices... background... I have a JD 4520 (55hp) w/ quick disconnect (QD) 400X Loader. My current bucket is 72" wide, wheel base is 66".

Do I want which of the following grapple choices: 66" w/ 2 cylinders (to cover the wheel base and can handle it); 48" single cylinder; other size or configuration?

I am inclined to go with the 48" single cylinder model - why or why not?

Simple answer: 48" single grapple.

Detailed discussion: use the search function and you will find weeks of reading on the subject here. Bottom line is that people who buy the 48" single are very happy and there is no good reason to spend more money on a heavier, wider or more complicated grapple.

[dirt ditch]

I have had a good one.

[Piston]

New Question on the topic of grapple choices... background... I have a JD 4520 (55hp) w/ quick disconnect (QD) 400X Loader. My current bucket is 72" wide, wheel base is 66".

Do I want which of the following grapple choices: 66" w/ 2 cylinders (to cover the wheel base and can handle it); 48" single cylinder; other size or configuration?

I am inclined to go with the 48" single cylinder model - why or why not?

What Island Tractor said.

[pane056]

Wildkat 48!!!!!!

[Rockgod]

New Question on the topic of grapple choices... background... I have a JD 4520 (55hp) w/ quick disconnect (QD) 400X Loader. My current bucket is 72" wide, wheel base is 66".

Do I want which of the following grapple choices: 66" w/ 2 cylinders (to cover the wheel base and can handle it); 48" single cylinder; other size or configuration?

I am inclined to go with the 48" single cylinder model - why or why not?

66", you have plenty of hp to do whatever you want with it. The 2 cylinder is a nice option.

I don't buy into "48" for each and every tractor", smaller is not better IMO, if that was the case why not a 40",36"? It really does depend on what you'll be using it for. From my experience I just know that a 48" grapple would just get turned into dust. What about a 60"? kind of a happy medium...

[Piston]

66", you have plenty of hp to do whatever you want with it. The 2 cylinder is a nice option.

I don't buy into "48" for each and every tractor", smaller is not better IMO, if that was the case why not a 40",36"? It really does depend on what you'll be using it for. From my experience I just know that a 48" grapple would just get turned into dust. What about a 60"? kind of a happy medium...

Rockgod,
You were going good until that last sentence! I agree with what your saying about the bigger grapple and I truly believe ive been more productive, and quicker with my 64", but a 64" is not going to be any stronger than a 48", it can just carry more.

I'm starting to give up though with the argument of a bigger grapple, not because I don't believe in some cases that it's better, but because god for bid someone recommends anything but a 48".

Your right about the 36" grapple, they are making them now so I wonder if everyone who truly believes smaller is better, is going to go trade their 48" in on a 36"

I have yet to see someone actually post on here that has a 48" AND a larger one.I admit, I do not have any experience with a 48" grapple, however, i have not once found that my 64" grapple cant do everything that people list as an "advantage" of the 64". People talk about digging, torquing the frame, heavier etc and I've never had any issues with any of those.
I think if cost is the main concern, then get a 48". If brush is the only thing you'll be grabbing, then get a 48". However, if you want a more versatile size, get a 64". I find it comical that people with 30 thousand dollars + tractor talk about saving 5 or 6 hundred dollars on the grapple as the big decision maker.

When it comes down to it, a 64" can do everything a 48" can, and a 48" can do everything a 64" can. The only difference is which will do what faster. They both have they're strong points. A narrower one is truly better at some things, and a wider one is truly better at some thing's.

There is no perfect do it all attachment for ANYTHING and grapples are no different. People need to list the uses they have for the grapple in order of priority, and then we can give educated replies. However, it seems like the 48" guys always stick with the 48" grapple, and the 64" stick with the 64". I have told many people that for their uses, a 48" will do everything they need, not just recommended what I have.

With respect to Island tractor, I have also seen him admit (you don't have to admit this IT ) that in some cases a wider one is better.

End of rant.

[rwork]

Hey rwork, you're overdue with those pictures.

Gumshu, no one is more anxious than me, to get this think hooked up!
I just got it unloaded wednesday night, and went out to the barn early thursday morning before work, just to stare at it a while! LOL!
Sad thing is, there're calling for about an 80% chance of rain for the weekend.........are you kidding me !?!?!
Might just have to be out there in my rain slicker!!

Randy

[IslandTractor]

66", you have plenty of hp to do whatever you want with it. The 2 cylinder is a nice option.

I don't buy into "48" for each and every tractor", smaller is not better IMO, if that was the case why not a 40",36"? It really does depend on what you'll be using it for. From my experience I just know that a 48" grapple would just get turned into dust. What about a 60"? kind of a happy medium...

Why don't big excavators have grapples bigger than 48"?