New Grapple exceeds expectations

[JoeBuyer]

Post hole digger

I recently bought a Danuser 1025H with an offset FEL mount so I can see the auger bit to the side of the hood. I like the FEL mount with hydraulics over a 3 point set up. You can reverse the auger with the hydraulics in case you get it stuck under a root or rock. Also the FEL keeps the top of the auger so much more in alignment with where you want the hole than a 3 pt hitch. I have a 15" bit and I have it down to about 90 seconds to auger a hole deep enough for a RR tie half way deep. More time than that if there are rocks. Your grapple hydraulics on the FEL should be all you need for the auger. If you do get a hydraulic one for the FEL, don't get the skid steer style with the auger in the middle, you will need a spotter on the ground.

 

[Guesseral]

Personally, we wouldn't recommend a grapple that heavy for a compact tractor. It isn't AS important with a rake style grapple if you're mainly using it at ground level but you will be more limited with a heavy grapple if you plan on lifting and loading because the weight will really hinder you more than it helps. I don't want to open up a can of grapple wars here either but with the right design and materials, excess weight can be avoided. Our revolutionary new wicked compact grapple takes compact grapples to the next level with an exciting new design that maintains durability and functionality without the unnecessary, excess weight.[/QUOTE

The Grs 72 Grapple is not to heavy in the least for my L45. I do a lot more than than at ground level too and have yet to be hindered. I think it would depend on the tractors lift capabilities. If I still had my L3830, than it would be to heavy and I would have opted for a 300+ lb version. For my M59 I would have chosen Heavier. Your wicked one does look good however. Mine is around 140,000 psi. They have two lighter versions at 5.5 ft 310 lbs and 440lbs. I have also seen the 72 version of Pistons grapple and it was pretty impressive as well. It's great we have choices to fit our individual needs. I'm now in the market for a tiller and post hole digger.

Kytractor Shane
Do you have trouble picking up logs with your rake style grapple as stated by others? I was completely sold on the rake style grapple but now I am confused AGAIN because I will need it for brush, roots and logs so the L shaped grapple would come back into the picture for the log type loads. It would seem that I just may need to get both oh my aching wallet!
At first I was really worried about the weight of well any of these grapples untill I started thinking, that is never a good thing! At 700 lbs a grapple would decrease the lifting capasity by 700 lbs, but not really my forks weigh 375 lbs so the increase in weight would only be 325 lbs and the center of gravity from the forks to the grapple would be closer to the loader arms than when say lifting a skid with the forks. So now my only concern is what style to purchase rake style or the L style. :confused3:
I have been watching TBN and reading about the experences of others with the various types of grapples and there uses, and the different ways that users have plumbed there units so I can make the most informed purchase when I do. I will be getting a grapple in the early spring so I have a little while to keep comparing and getting informed but time is getting short!:shocked:

 

[Kytractor]

Kytractor Shane
Do you have trouble picking up logs with your rake style grapple as stated by others? I was completely sold on the rake style grapple but now I am confused AGAIN because I will need it for brush, roots and logs so the L shaped grapple would come back into the picture for the log type loads. It would seem that I just may need to get both oh my aching wallet!
At first I was really worried about the weight of well any of these grapples untill I started thinking, that is never a good thing! At 700 lbs a grapple would decrease the lifting capasity by 700 lbs, but not really my forks weigh 375 lbs so the increase in weight would only be 325 lbs and the center of gravity from the forks to the grapple would be closer to the loader arms than when say lifting a skid with the forks. So now my only concern is what style to purchase rake style or the L style. :confused3:
I have been watching TBN and reading about the experences of others with the various types of grapples and there uses, and the different ways that users have plumbed there units so I can make the most informed purchase when I do. I will be getting a grapple in the early spring so I have a little while to keep comparing and getting informed but time is getting short!:shocked:

No, I have no problems what so ever picking up logs and good size ones at that. Even several at a time is no problem
Good point on the Loader bucket weight.
Unless your hauling a lot of stacked boards like Piston you don't need both styles. A set of Pallet forks would be much
cheaper.

 

[Guesseral]

Yea got the forks already way less expensive! I try to get one new toy per year, this time its a grapple. I figure a one a year I'll be too old to use them all once I get them!:laughing:

 

[jmc]

The other weight related issue for any fel attachment on a compact tractor is what I call the "galloping affect". Too much weight out beyond the axles make your tractor gallop over rough ground. (Think backhoe in road gear on the highway). I bought a skid steer capable grapple for the Gehl, then started using it on the Kubota L4330 as an afterthought. Even empty it bucks somewhat on relatively smooth ground. Adding rear ballast doesn't seem to help, although it might change the resonate frequency.

 

[ovrszd]

I agree with Everything Attachment when they say they don't recommend that heavy of grapple on a CUT. What they are talking about is with a raised load you now have a LOT of weight, high in the air, that may overcome the ability of a CUT to say on it's feet. A Grapple is a very dangerous piece of equipment with a wide load such as whole trees, lifted high in the air, on sloped terrain. If you have never had to suddenly drop your grapple to let your load catch you before tipping your tractor sideways you haven't experienced this effect yet. When you do, drop the loader, don't try to release the load with the Grapple, if you do, it'll all be over before the Grapple cylinder can dump the load. Also when it is said that a tractor handles a Grapple great with no overload problems at all, the operator hasn't loaded his Grapple yet. Many, many times I have had my Grapple loaded on my M9540 and had to dump off some because the tractor could not balance the weight, that's with a 10,000lb tractor and 1,200lb counterweight.

I have a tree shear, tree puller, tree spade, forks, toothed bucket, smooth bucket and a dual cylinder Grapple on a Bobcat toothed bucket. All homemade except the shear. I use the Grapple bucket 95% of the time. Makes you a lazy man, but a happy man!!!

 

[ovrszd]

The other weight related issue for any fel attachment on a compact tractor is what I call the "galloping affect". Too much weight out beyond the axles make your tractor gallop over rough ground. (Think backhoe in road gear on the highway). I bought a skid steer capable grapple for the Gehl, then started using it on the Kubota L4330 as an afterthought. Even empty it bucks somewhat on relatively smooth ground. Adding rear ballast doesn't seem to help, although it might change the resonate frequency.

This affect is what happens to my Brother's L3240 when he picks up our 1200lb tree shear. it's not pretty.... Our shear has a claw that grips the tree trunk and allows you to carry it after being cut. With his tractor usually you just want to be free of the tree after cutting...

 

[Piston]

Kytractor Shane
Do you have trouble picking up logs with your rake style grapple as stated by others? I was completely sold on the rake style grapple but now I am confused AGAIN because I will need it for brush, roots and logs so the L shaped grapple would come back into the picture for the log type loads. It would seem that I just may need to get both oh my aching wallet!
At first I was really worried about the weight of well any of these grapples untill I started thinking, that is never a good thing! At 700 lbs a grapple would decrease the lifting capasity by 700 lbs, but not really my forks weigh 375 lbs so the increase in weight would only be 325 lbs and the center of gravity from the forks to the grapple would be closer to the loader arms than when say lifting a skid with the forks. So now my only concern is what style to purchase rake style or the L style. :confused3:
I have been watching TBN and reading about the experences of others with the various types of grapples and there uses, and the different ways that users have plumbed there units so I can make the most informed purchase when I do. I will be getting a grapple in the early spring so I have a little while to keep comparing and getting informed but time is getting short!:shocked:

It sounds like you have done your homework, and if the root rake style is what you've come up with and what you think you'd prefer, don't let some internet person like me sway your decision. The important thing is you've looked around, know whats out there, know what your uses would be, and regardless of which way you choose, I promise you'll be more than pleased with your decision! :thumbsup:
I prefer the "L" shape style for MY uses, but it doesn't mean it's always better. Just like the narrow vs. wide debate, some people will always tell you to get the lightest 4' grapple you can, that's not good advice.

The most important thing about buying a grapple, is that you post pictures of whatever you chose at the end :laughing:

 

[CJONE]

Kytractor Shane
Do you have trouble picking up logs with your rake style grapple as stated by others? I was completely sold on the rake style grapple but now I am confused AGAIN because I will need it for brush, roots and logs so the L shaped grapple would come back into the picture for the log type loads. It would seem that I just may need to get both oh my aching wallet!
At first I was really worried about the weight of well any of these grapples untill I started thinking, that is never a good thing! At 700 lbs a grapple would decrease the lifting capasity by 700 lbs, but not really my forks weigh 375 lbs so the increase in weight would only be 325 lbs and the center of gravity from the forks to the grapple would be closer to the loader arms than when say lifting a skid with the forks. So now my only concern is what style to purchase rake style or the L style. :confused3:
I have been watching TBN and reading about the experences of others with the various types of grapples and there uses, and the different ways that users have plumbed there units so I can make the most informed purchase when I do. I will be getting a grapple in the early spring so I have a little while to keep comparing and getting informed but time is getting short!:shocked:

I have the L style grapple and the only place it is better than the rake style is carrying firewood, small to medium sized rocks and digging out stumps. The rake style opens farther so you can pack more brush in it and it is easier to use. As far as load carrying well the only advise I can offer is if it is a CUT or a 5 yard loader you carry the weight as close to the ground as you can. CJ

 

[Kytractor]

It sounds like you have done your homework, and if the root rake style is what you've come up with and what you think you'd prefer, don't let some internet person like me sway your decision. The important thing is you've looked around, know whats out there, know what your uses would be, and regardless of which way you choose, I promise you'll be more than pleased with your decision! :thumbsup:
I prefer the "L" shape style for MY uses, but it doesn't mean it's always better. Just like the narrow vs. wide debate, some people will always tell you to get the lightest 4' grapple you can, that's not good advice.

The most important thing about buying a grapple, is that you post pictures of whatever you chose at the end :laughing:

Good advice Piston. Well put. Pictures are required.