Grapple up, now or later?

[Bfitzgerald3]

I have a Kubota MX5100 on order w/ a single rear remote. Delivery is scheduled for three weeks. This will be my first tractor experience... I just bought a large parcel (157 acres) and never had a need.

The property was bought in foreclosure. The previous owner had it logged (butchered if you will) and about 60 to 70 acres are covered in tree tops/limbs from the high value timber they removed. I would like to remove the evidence of pillage and am just realizing that a grapple might be my best friend.

I admit that I haven't learned enough aout grapples to ask truly intelligent questions...however, with a good loader already coming, should I consider getting an attachment for it or a regular grapple? If you were me, would you pony up for a third function valve on the front now or wait til u have funds to get the attachment? Realistically I'm looking a clearing the carnage next fall.

Thanks!

[Code54]

Yes - get it! Adding remotes later is easy on the 5100 (Took me about an hour at the most two add my second one)
The grapple has saved me SOOOOOO much time it is unreal. When a tree is down and you can make 5 cuts, grab it move it and dump it in your burn piles in 20-30 minutes instead of spending 3 Hrs doing it all by hand it is priceless! After the last big storm we had 5 trees over our road and I had it cleared in about an hour with the help of my neighbor- he made a few cuts and I was moving the trees and brush. We even opened the public road so EMS etc could get in if need. When you have land and trees they are GREAT!

[jake98]

Grapples are great, if you can burn the piles, if not you might want a chipper. I don't use my grapple any more, since I got a chipper. YMMV.

[pclausen]

But you still need to grapple to set up the pile(s) for feeding the chipper.

[jake98]

I used to grapple the logs out to a pile and cut them up later.. big mistake, trying to cut in a pile is nuts. I'd have to think that making a pile to pull it apart to chip would be a mistake too, but what do I know..
Now I just drop it, cut the logs to size, move them with the bucket, chip it up into barrels, and dump it in with the chickens.
(he'd need a lot of chickens tho, with 60 something acres..)

[BIG DOOLEY]

I would get the third function now if you are not the mechanic sort and will have to have the work done for you later.
I am in the process of adding 2 remotes to my tractor now.
The cost of doing it yourself is less expensive, but you need to be somewhat mechanically inclind or have some help available if you are not.
I am not buying a factory setup/ rather fabricating all my own brackets etc.
I just built my own bucket grapple and am anxious to use it this spring.

Tom

[IndyIan]

I can't really imagine cleaning up 70 acres of logging slash with a tractor, your biggest problem will be keeping sticks from ripping up the bottom of the tractor. But I'm sure you can atleast clear some areas and trails and you'll love a grapple for that. My place had some logging done by the previous owner and it took a few years for the tops to rot down, but nature took care of them with zero tractor damage. Also depending on how many deer you have, the tops can protect young trees while they get tall enough not to be topped by deer. We have very few small deciduous trees in areas that weren't cut, but now the regrowth in the cuts is alot of maple and and some oak.

[Bfitzgerald3]

The tops and limbs are largely clumped into piles of parallel pieces...ready to be grabbed and dragged. Seems perfect for a grapple. I hope to pile it in a safe place to burn.

As I hunt around, some of the units I see are referred to as rakes, some as grapples. The front rakes seem to be better set p to do what I need....drive In to a pile, grab, pull, stack, burn.

Is the third function required for either option? Easy to do as a DIY project? Cheap enough to have the dealer install to save some time?

As for chickens, I'm tring t convince the significant other to get more than a handful...organic free range eggs are crazy expensive here. Seems like if we do 6, we could do 30.

[nybirdman]

You may be able to have the third function added at the factory.Be carefull of the weight of any grapple you purchase.The heavier the are the less you can lift.I added a thumb and tooth-bar to my HD Roundback bucket.Works for me.

[Code54]

Just FYI - I have a 48" grapple on my 50HP and it is plenty wide enough and keeps the weight down (that is good advice) - the less grapple weight the more you can move and lift