New Grapple exceeds expectations

[Furu]

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.

I am in the process of determining which grapple as well. I have read others, well before EA comment, talk about the weight issue. My bucket weighs just a little over 400 lbs according to the dealer. It is hard to get an exact number and I have not yet weighed it but it is a heavy duty bucket with a cutting edge. Then I add my trash forks to it which are on the bucket all the time except when I am actively cutting soil/rocks from a new area which is another roughly 200 lbs estimate (may be on the low side as I can't lift them and can barely drag them on smooth surfaces) for a 600 lb current weight. Now the Anbo is 740# by itself (800+ quoted weight is with shipping material/pallet) which is the heaviest that folks are talking about here so for me that is only about 140# heavier. Then you look at the distance from the pivot point (where most of the specs quote lifting capability. The Anbo is according to them 8 inches forward of the pivot pin whereas my deere bucket CG is 16-18 inches forward of the pivot pin and the trash forks another 18+ inches forward from there. If I get the Anbo, it should potentially increase my FEL lift capacity even though it is about 140# heavier just due to the mechanics of the design. The L shape grapples due to design are more similar to the bucket as far as distance from the pivot point and thus the weight is more comparable to a bucket as to the effect on lift.

[Piston]

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...

I don't want to derail this thread onto tree shears, but do you have a thread on your tree shear anywhere? I'd love to see some pictures and get some details on how well it works on the 9540.

[avc8130]

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.

From what I have read you shouldn't run a hydraulic motor off a solenoid valve. Apparently you need protection for the inertia of the spinning auger when you suddenly close the valve.

ac

[EverythingAttachments]

Great post, well stated. An L grapple is on my list to buy to go with my Rake style. That way I don't have to fuss over which is best. LOL

The L grapples are by far the most popular style that we currently sell but variety is good. We probably sell 20 L style to 1 C style grapple rake however we are also going to make a C style with a one piece lid using the same weight conscious engineering as the Wicked Grapple.

[Guesseral]

This is a great thread, many different ideas and no one getting into arguments just helpful opinions! I like it!

[Kioti Tom]

I have the L grapple and do well with it. I was originally thinking of getting the root grapple but decided on the L grapple. My thinking was I had pallet forks and you can get grapple jaws for it and use it like a L grapple. I got to doing things for the neighbors and went with the L as it fit what I was doing. For some one who wants the C style, the pallet fork grapple setup might be a good addition to their attachment lineup.

Tom

[JoeBuyer]

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.

I made the comment about not being able to pick up logs very well with my Rake grapple. But my lower tines are not nearly as long as yours (Kytractor's). See picture I previously posted and compare to Kytractor's Anbo. So if anyone is going with the Anbo, you should be fine. I end up tossing on my pallet forks on quite often but the load is not held down and drops off when crossing streams and fields sometimes. If I roll back enough with my rake grapple and raise the FEL high, my rake grapple holds on well. But it is dangerous carrying a load high when transporting due to the high center of gravity and tipping possibilities. So just study the styles and differences by manufacturer.

[Guesseral]

I made the comment about not being able to pick up logs very well with my Rake grapple. But my lower tines are not nearly as long as yours (Kytractor's). See picture I previously posted and compare to Kytractor's Anbo. So if anyone is going with the Anbo, you should be fine. I end up tossing on my pallet forks on quite often but the load is not held down and drops off when crossing streams and fields sometimes. If I roll back enough with my rake grapple and raise the FEL high, my rake grapple holds on well. But it is dangerous carrying a load high when transporting due to the high center of gravity and tipping possibilities. So just study the styles and differences by manufacturer.

Yours don't seem much shorter at all from the picture, a different design and stylr yea sure but they don't look shorter. Well not from the picture that is.

[JoeBuyer]

From what I have read you shouldn't run a hydraulic motor off a solenoid valve. Apparently you need protection for the inertia of the spinning auger when you suddenly close the valve.

ac

I don't have a solenoid valve, but that might be a good point for those that do. I have a traditional spool valve which isn't going snap closed. However, I understand an auger is not as much of a problem as a larger motor when it comes to inertia as they stop pretty quickly on their own. Particularly mine which I sized for more power, and have a lower speed. I have heard people talk about the inertia problem before but not on augers. I also have 3 reliefs in my hydraulic circuit at the FEL, the Aux spool and at the backhoe. So any pressure build up I would think would just flow to the tank. Maybe I am wrong but I have not had any problems, heard anything abnormal or seen any leakage at the fittings.

[JoeBuyer]

Yours don't seem much shorter at all from the picture, a different design and stylr yea sure but they don't look shorter. Well not from the picture that is.

Well when I look at the Anbo, I have lower tine envy. They look longer and curve out more to me. But my rake C style works super for what I bought it for, grubbing out brush.