Grapple questions about choice of root grapple

[Red Horse]

I see you are in NC.. Wildkat is in Denton?-how close are you? Maybe a better deal.."cash and carry" Also they will deal on the phone-at least they did when I bought mine in Jan. I talked to Anita.

 

[HCJtractor]

Did they take over markham welding?

 

[rbtjr]

I see you are in NC.. Wildkat is in Denton?-how close are you? Maybe a better deal.."cash and carry" Also they will deal on the phone-at least they did when I bought mine in Jan. I talked to Anita.

I live about 80 miles from Denton. I've been trying to get in touch with the Wildkat folks. Will continue to try. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[smilinjak]

Rbtjr: Everything attachments is in Newton, NC not very far from you. Ted can give you helpful professional advice about a grapple. I have a CA 60 on an L3800 that is perfect for the application you describe. Thre price was right and the service was outstanding. You might want to consider a set of rear wheel spacers for more stability. They are available from Tracks Co. Call 510-601-7550 or Email christianhan@earthlink.net.
Smilinjak

 

[rbtjr]

Rbtjr: Everything attachments is in Newton, NC not very far from you. Ted can give you helpful professional advice about a grapple. I have a CA 60 on an L3800 that is perfect for the application you describe. Thre price was right and the service was outstanding. You might want to consider a set of rear wheel spacers for more stability. They are available from Tracks Co. Call 510-601-7550 or Email christianhan@earthlink.net.
Smilinjak

Thanks, smilinjak. I appreciate the info. I have looked at the CA 60. I think I have settled on the W. R. Long 56" or 48" version. The Long 56" is very similar to the CA version, for about the same price, but it has a 44" jaw opening, plus I won't have to mess with the hydraulics because our FEL has a Long 4N1 bucket with presumably identical hydraulic hookups. You definitely have my attention about rear wheel spacers. I tried to look up Tracks Co on the Internet and couldn't find them, so I'll call or email. Our L3800 is a hair over 60" outside to outside on the rear wheels. We traded in a Kubota M5400 on which I had both the front and rear wheels set to the maximum width for stability. The L3800 doesn't offer any options for more width, so I would be interested in the spacer idea. Do you have the spacers on your 3800? If so, how much width did you gain? I'll follow up. Thanks again.

 

[rbtjr]

I just made my decision and ordered the W. R. Long 56" OBG2 version. The price we got was $1775. After factoring in all of the good into I got on this thread, I opted for a compromise width (56" versus 48" or 60"), two grapples instead of one (although I have confidence in the opinions of the several posters who said that one grapple is enough), and a 44" jaw opening. The jaw opening was a significant factor to me. I'll let everyone know how it turns out and I'll post some pics. Thanks so much for the feedback from everyone.

 

[IslandTractor]

I just made my decision and ordered the W. R. Long 56" OBG2 version. The price we got was $1775. After factoring in all of the good into I got on this thread, I opted for a compromise width (56" versus 48" or 60"), two grapples instead of one (although I have confidence in the opinions of the several posters who said that one grapple is enough), and a 44" jaw opening. The jaw opening was a significant factor to me. I'll let everyone know how it turns out and I'll post some pics. Thanks so much for the feedback from everyone.

I'd recommend you call them back and cancel. $1775 is very expensive, you really don't have more than a modestly sized loader so you need minimum grapple weight, and, what most everyone has told you about a 48" grapple is correct. You will lift less with the 56" due to weight, you'll root rake and dig less efficiently because the larger grapple will distribute rather than concentrate force, and a 48" can pick up just as much brush.

Although it is easy to understand why people focus on standard bucket size, it really is an error. Excavators could easily handle ten foot grapples but rarely mount more than 36"-48" because that is the most effective size. Skidsteers usually mount wider grapples but they are construction tools and pick up a lot of scrap rather than brush or roots typically. Have you heard even one comment from an owner of a 48" grapple who wished he'd bought bigger or heavier duty?

I've had my 48" Millonzi for about seven years and routinely beat the crap out of it digging brush and knocking down trees. It has battle scars but works fine for every task I've done. It weighs about 300lbs and cost $500. It is matched well with my DK40se which has a considerably heavier tractor with a stronger loader.

Why get bigger?

 

[daveinnh]

We have a Kubota L4310 with a WR Long RBG2-60 that works nice. (bucket width is 68") Be sure to have it Quik-Tach'd. I use the grapple primarily for light root digging & picking logs & rocks.

Note that WR Long also makes an OBG2 series that may be better for (primarily) brush grappling.

Dave

 

[murphy1244]

IT is right. Cancel your order, that weighs 460 lbs. The 48 inch is a 100 lbs less.

 

[whitedogone]

$1700 + ........... WOW

My Wildkat was 1/3 of that price.