Grapple Which type of grapple is best suited for...

[kenmac]

Those bucket grapples are a great bang for the buck and are very useful for dealing with brush.

I'm able to move logs (1 at a time) and stumps with it. It has saved me a lot of work for min. cost and weight. If I had a newer/ larger tractor. I would have a dedicated grapple

 

[TomSeller]

Okay fellas... here's another thought to throw your way.

I just bought a new stump-bucket from an equipment auction (picking it up on Sat) at a good price (all told, less than $400). How effective do you guys think it would be to add a "thumb" grapple onto it? Although it wouldn't give me the true functionality of a "root-grapple" it would more or less turn two implements into 1. I might even take on the challenge of trying to make the grapple arm myself if I get adventurous

Anyone use one (a stump-grapple) and can give a review as to how it would compare with a root-grapple?

There are many videos out on how well stump bucket grapples work, mostly on SS. I would love to have one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF4IHAiO92s&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This more or less proves the point that narrow is better if you are digging. Can you imagine a wide dual lid stump grapple?

 

[TSO]

There are many videos out on how well stump bucket grapples work, mostly on SS. I would love to have one.

Wicked Stump Grapple Vs. Two Headed Monster Stump - YouTube

This more or less proves the point that narrow is better if you are digging. Can you imagine a wide dual lid stump grapple?

That's funny.. I watched that video earlier today before I asked about them on this thread. There are practically NO vids out there of a CUT with a Stump bucket and/or stump grapple. They're all being used on Skid-steers. I'm hoping to change that when I pickup the bucket this weekend.

As far as the grapple part of it... my concern of this style OVER using a dedicated grapple, is bottom width. Meaning, it might be difficult to properly balance loads over the narrow bottom of the stump bucket, compared to a 48" / 60" / 72" bottom like the dedicated grapples we talked about before.

 

[TomSeller]

As far as the grapple part of it... my concern of this style OVER using a dedicated grapple, is bottom width. Meaning, it might be difficult to properly balance loads over the narrow bottom of the stump bucket, compared to a 48" / 60" / 72" bottom like the dedicated grapples we talked about before.

I would say you are right, it might be like eating with chopsticks. These would excel at digging.

 

[IslandTractor]

I would say you are right, it might be like eating with chopsticks. These would excel at digging.

Agree. I wouldn't be too concerned about grappling a stump and a tree or log but a stump bucket grapple would not be ideal for collecting brush or debris. It would certainly out dig any other grapple though.

 

[mangus580]

Personally, I plan to go with a standalone stump bucket, and the grapple I bought. I think the grapple on a stump bucket would just get in the way.....

 

[Gordon Gould]

Personally, I plan to go with a standalone stump bucket, and the grapple I bought. I think the grapple on a stump bucket would just get in the way.....

It would indeed IMO

 

[IslandTractor]

Personally, I plan to go with a standalone stump bucket, and the grapple I bought. I think the grapple on a stump bucket would just get in the way.....

If the grapple was configured so it opened really wide then it probably wouldn't obstruct. There are few times when digging roots near a tree with my grapple that the upper arm makes contact. I agree it is an issue to consider though.

 

[930ck]

Question for Island Tractor, in an earlier post you said that your grapple tines curve up more than other brands, do you feel that is a benefit because the tines of your grapple and the Wildkat grapple I am looking at are almost identical. Does the curved shape allow you to curl objects out of the ground better? Does it keep you from getting under brush and logs? The grapple I am getting closer to getting is the light weight Wildkat with single grapple, going with the 66" wide version because most of what I will be doing is cleaning up brush. Tractor is a kubota 5740. Thanks.

 

[IslandTractor]

Question for Island Tractor, in an earlier post you said that your grapple tines curve up more than other brands, do you feel that is a benefit because the tines of your grapple and the Wildkat grapple I am looking at are almost identical. Does the curved shape allow you to curl objects out of the ground better? Does it keep you from getting under brush and logs? The grapple I am getting closer to getting is the light weight Wildkat with single grapple, going with the 66" wide version because most of what I will be doing is cleaning up brush. Tractor is a kubota 5740. Thanks.

I think the curved tines help. They keep roots from sliding off when lifting/curling to break them. Think about how you use your own hand when lifting or pulling on something, you curve your fingers rather than keep them straight. Same idea. I haven't got experience with straight tines but I use the curve in mine so often that I cannot figure out why all grapples aren't made that way. The only thing I can think of is that before CNC cutting it was easier to manufacture straight tines but today manufacturers presumably put a sheet of 3/8" steel in a CNC cutter and they could cut the tines to any shape they want. I noticed yesterday that that WRLong OBG2 gives you an option of either straight or curved tips to the tines. I'd like to know if there are tasks that are better done with straight tines but I've never wished mine were straight.