Need help with Grapple 101...

[MRSDOUGLAS]

Thanks for all the feedback. We are taking it slow for now and are still researching and learning. Stopped by the Deere shop and were looking at the three series and they did say by the time you add in the hydraulics you are looking at around 2k Gordon the grapple in total. It is not something we would be comfortable doing on our own so we will need a dealer install.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks for all the feedback. We are taking it slow for now and are still researching and learning. Stopped by the Deere shop and were looking at the three series and they did say by the time you add in the hydraulics you are looking at around 2k Gordon the grapple in total. It is not something we would be comfortable doing on our own so we will need a dealer install.

That is true only if 1) you use a dedicated third function valve or diverter valve, and 2) pay the dealer for installation. Instead, ask the dealer what the cost of a set of rear remotes would be.. You can buy the set of hoses and fittings needed to connect the rear remote to a grapple for $150. Rear remotes work just as well as dedicated FEL joystick mounted controllers and are a lot cheaper.

Also, don't buy a grapple from a tractor dealer. Buy direct. A light duty grapple can be had for about $1000 delivered.

 

[MRSDOUGLAS]

That is true only if 1) you use a dedicated third function valve or diverter valve, and 2) pay the dealer for installation. Instead, ask the dealer what the cost of a set of rear remotes would be.. You can buy the set of hoses and fittings needed to connect the rear remote to a grapple for $150. Rear remotes work just as well as dedicated FEL joystick mounted controllers and are a lot cheaper.

Also, don't buy a grapple from a tractor dealer. Buy direct. A light duty grapple can be had for about $1000 delivered.

Great info, thanks. Everything we read here gives us more questions to ask and will ultimately help us make the best choice.

 

[dstig1]

You can argue that the rear remotes work "just as well" as a 3rd function from a usability standpoint. I never take my hand off the joystick as I just flick the button with my thumb and use the grapple. Taking it off to grab the rear remote lever and going back would be awkward in my tractor, others may be easier. Is the difference worth the cost? That's an individual decision based on how your tractor is set up and your preference. But there is a difference.

 

[IslandTractor]

You can argue that the rear remotes work "just as well" as a 3rd function from a usability standpoint. I never take my hand off the joystick as I just flick the button with my thumb and use the grapple. Taking it off to grab the rear remote lever and going back would be awkward in my tractor, others may be easier. Is the difference worth the cost? That's an individual decision based on how your tractor is set up and your preference. But there is a difference.

True. Some people think standard transmissions in cars are a bother and others get used to it or prefer it. I've had a tractor with diverter valve and another where I used rear remotes. Both work fine and are equally functional IMO. My current tractor has the button on the joystick but if I had to do it again I'd probably go back to the rear remote so long as the position of the controller was convenient. Given the benefit of rear remotes for other purposes especially a hydraulic topping lift, it makes sense to get at least one set of remotes before investing in a diverter or electric over hydraulic set up. Then, if you have the rear remote then why not try it as a grapple control before investing another $800-1000 on having a dealer install a single purpose grapple control valve. If you have a rear remote you can control the grapple by investing $150 in hoses and fittings most of which can be reused with a diverter valve etc if you choose to go that route eventually. A lot of people on TBN seem to get sold on the diverter or electrohydraulic set up without ever really experiencing the simplicity of using rear remotes. Why pay extra for automatic tranny if you can do everything you need with 4 on the floor and put the extra money towards an extra implement instead. The cost of dealer installed electrohydaulic FEL mounted controller is about what the light duty grapple itself costs.

 

[Piston]

It must be more of a personal preference than anything. I've used the rear remote for the grapple before and decided I didn't like it one bit. I could have saved a lot of money by going with the rear remote option but I chose the 3 rd function valve as I like it that much more. I think either the 3rd function or selector switch is far superior to using the rear remote. I find it funny that some people spend close to 30k dollars on a tractor and worry about a relatively small amount of money to invest in convenient features.

 

[MRSDOUGLAS]

I find it funny that some people spend close to 30k dollars on a tractor and worry about a relatively small amount of money to invest in convenient features.

Ahh, but in this thread they are providing options to a complete newb who doesn't know any better what questions to ask. It is always nice to know what options to look at so we can form our own opinion.

 

[buck12]

That is true only if 1) you use a dedicated third function valve or diverter valve, and 2) pay the dealer for installation. Instead, ask the dealer what the cost of a set of rear remotes would be.. You can buy the set of hoses and fittings needed to connect the rear remote to a grapple for $150. Rear remotes work just as well as dedicated FEL joystick mounted controllers and are a lot cheaper.

Also, don't buy a grapple from a tractor dealer. Buy direct. A light duty grapple can be had for about $1000 delivered.

If you shop around on the grapple you can do better than $1000. My Wild Kat grapple was less than $700 delivered in January. I am sure there are better grapples but for the money but I couldn't find anything that met my needs for less.

 

[Piston]

Ahh, but in this thread they are providing options to a complete newb who doesn't know any better what questions to ask. It is always nice to know what options to look at so we can form our own opinion.

Good point

 

[IslandTractor]

It must be more of a personal preference than anything. I've used the rear remote for the grapple before and decided I didn't like it one bit. I could have saved a lot of money by going with the rear remote option but I chose the 3 rd function valve as I like it that much more. I think either the 3rd function or selector switch is far superior to using the rear remote. I find it funny that some people spend close to 30k dollars on a tractor and worry about a relatively small amount of money to invest in convenient features.

I agree it is a preference and budget thing. My point was that people investigating a grapple and grapple control should be aware that the simplest option (rear remotes) is a viable one and that quite a few people use it. It is less expensive and that is a factor for most of us, especially after we shell out big bucks for the tractor and want to maximize the number and capability of implements with the few pennies we have left in our pockets. I think my estimate of comparative cost is pretty close so with a savings of about $800 for using the rear remote, you can either get another implement or, if you don't already have a rear remote then the savings will pay for that installation which opens up all sorts of benefits beyond just controlling a grapple. For what it's worth, if I had a money tree I would make sure my tractor had several rear remotes and then would also buy an electrohydraulic true third function valve to control the joystick. If I was on a budget I would go with the rear remote. I own the third option, the diverter valve, and don't think it is worth the $600 or so that it costs (I got mine "free" with a 4n1 bucket I bought off ebay). I don't like the diverter that much because if I am working quickly I find I sometimes still have the button pressed (to divert flow to the grapple) when I want to curl/dump rather than open/close the grapple and therefore inadvertently open or close the grapple. Not an issue with electrohydraulic or with rear remotes.