Kena 3pt log grapple

[Coyote machine]

I have both the grapple and winch combo- Igland GR20 log grapple, and their model 4001 winch, with a clamshell snatchblock doubles the winches capacity to 8000#s. The combo of the two is unbeatable in the woods; and the grapple only weighs 350-400# IIRC. The grapple jaws close completely and the center jaw will overlap and squeeze the juice out of a log/ brush pile if necessary. Both are reasonably priced for what they can/will do to one's tree snatching ability and ease of doing same.:thumbsup:

BTW, see my avatar, it shows the grapple in action with a boulder in it's jaws!

 

[Piston]

I have both the grapple and winch combo- Igland GR20 log grapple, and their model 4001 winch, with a clamshell snatchblock doubles the winches capacity to 8000#s. The combo of the two is unbeatable in the woods; and the grapple only weighs 350-400# IIRC. The grapple jaws close completely and the center jaw will overlap and squeeze the juice out of a log/ brush pile if necessary. Both are reasonably priced for what they can/will do to one's tree snatching ability and ease of doing same.:thumbsup:

BTW, see my avatar, it shows the grapple in action with a boulder in it's jaws!

CM,
The log grapple's being referred to here are different than the front end loader grapple's that many of us have. These are grapple's that are mounted on the rear of the tractor, instead of the winch. See the link I posted above for a couple of pics.

 

[Coyote machine]

Yes, I see that; I'm currently reading your links. Not sure why they would offer any real advantage over a setup like mine? If one is too lazy to get off their tractor at 30YO they don't stand a chance of getting out of their armchair at 61YO, my advanced state of decay age!:confused2:
To me, it's like plowing snow with a rear blade- WHY? I like working from the front of my tractor.:confused3: I plow snow that way, and grapple that way. If I want to tow/drag something the winch gets it done. You?

 

[Piston]

The advantage is when you have short skids and good access to the logs. It can be quicker and more efficient using the log grapple. Also, you don't have to get off the tractor to hook up the winch cable (lazy? or more efficient? Maybe a bit of both )

A winch has a lot of advantages over a grapple as well, I suppose it just depends on each individual situation, just like in some cases a rear blade may be more efficient than a front blade, but a front blade is most often (but not always) the better choice. A grapple can't do many of the same things a winch can do, whereas a winch can (technically) do the same thing a grapple can do, just slower. You'll see a picture in the thread I linked to about an Iron and Oak grapple, with a hydraulic winch mounted to the boom. For me, that would be the ideal setup. :thumbsup:

For me, I have short skids, and would prefer a log grapple as it would be a lot faster than using a winch. However, I think there are times that I'd like a dedicated winch regardless, but very few.

Also, I just noticed you have Aqualine MPC chains, I have some questions and will send you a PM regarding them.

 

[Coyote machine]

For my needs and my specific woods, things vary. Some are close together and it's difficult to move around, UNTIL I've cut my way in. I find if done right I can eventually land trees, limb them or not, and move to stack them with the front grapple, as whole tree lengths by allowing the jaws to be closed partially. This allows me to back up or go forward through the area while allowing the grappled tree to move against other trees to get through tight spaces. When I need or want to I will jump off the tractor and run back to the winch, hookup a bunch of trees/logs, run back and jump on the tractor and drive away at top speed, because I'm fast, agile and have no time to spare.

 

[JD6430]

I was looking at getting a grapple for my 5095 JD looked at several brands. Some with hydraulic rotation some with spring centering some free swing like the Kena then there are some with winches, push plates tool holders and the list goes on. Then I knew I would need to build a cage for the cab on the tractor glass windows, mirrors and lights are magnets to trees and will be the first thing to get smashed in. So after hours on the web few road trips to the JD dealer and way to much thinking it over I came up with this.

1994 JD 548E grapple skidder
121 hp 6 cyl turbo. 20 ft long. 9.8 ft wide. 22801 lbs. 6 ft grapple opening. 200 ft of 1/2 cable on an 38000lb winch.
Overkill........ Maybe. This is my old but still good logging tractor

Case 300 no clue what the winch is.

 

[Piston]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume that skidder was quite a bit more than the $1500-3,000 you can buy a grapple for?

For my low impact hobby logging needs, I'd take the Case 300 over the skidder anyday. :thumbsup: Nice looking skidder though.

 

[JD6430]

Yeah it cost more than just a grapple, A lot of my land is hillside and is to steep for a tractor, the long distance of tractor roads for the amount of wood you can pull in one hitch just wasn't worth it. The skidder doubles a tractor. Me and my dad own a small construction company and it does work better than a tractor would have. I stripped a gravel pit back with the excavator and the skidder was able to haul off the brush with all the stumps still on the trees, it is quicker to clear house lots to.
Ground impact is not to bad for what the machine weighs, not running chains helps. not saying everyone needs a skidder I just didn't think a tractor would have done what I wanted it to. The skidder did cost less than my 5095M JD though.