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

[TSO]

TSO, your original question to what type..... depends on what your main usage will be. I went through just about all the types until I found my root take. This was about 10 years ago, and I was shopping for a skid steer not a tractor. My use was (mainly) cleaning/clearing up the woods. But I started with a 4 in 1 bucket, a fine tool for some clean up jobs, but not what I was looking for. Then got a flat bottom "scrap" type grapple. This was better for than the 1st. but still, not ideal for my tasks. It was a smooth edge with no raking ability and the solid bottom had no visibility and carried a bunch of dirt and unwanted stuff. Finally I found the root rake that I have now, excelent "grubbing" ability, great with logs & brush, and handy moving rocks. All the other's have been sold or traded. I'd acess your chores that you want this bucket to do (mostly) and base your decision on that. For the $$, you'd be suprised at what a bolt on tooth bar and a add on grapple will do. (with your std bucket) Not the greatest at any one job, but it'll do them all and for not much $$.

I appreciate that... I have thought about adding the components onto my bucket like you mentioned, but in truth, I find the 72" bucket to be too wide for alot of the areas I want to get into. What I would really like to have is an 84" bucket just for moving loose materials, a 60"-66" skid steer style with teeth for digging & adding chain hooks to that one, and then the grapple. I already have QA forks, and so far I use them just as much as the bucket, and I got them at auction for like $325 ;-)

I really like having separate buckets for stuff

 

[Rustyiron]

I'll second you on the second (& 3rd...) bucket(s).

 

[GManBart]

I'm planning on a 66" Wicked Grapple from EA!

 

[Guesseral]

Guesseral, have you found any tasks that your particular grapple design was poorly suited for?

Travis, are the dual arms better suited for all around work than the single arm? Do the 2 cylinders splitting the hydraulic flow give more squeezing power than a single cylinder at full flow?

Like I said I am still plumbing. It's not summer yet.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Guesseral, have you found any tasks that your particular grapple design was poorly suited for?

Travis, are the dual arms better suited for all around work than the single arm? Do the 2 cylinders splitting the hydraulic flow give more squeezing power than a single cylinder at full flow?

You'll get MANY opinions on rake style single lid design vs. L style dual lids but we sell MANY more dual lid grapples than single and that was the case even before our Wicked Grapple arrived on the scene. IMO the dual lid design is more versatile because you'll get a tighter grip on loads that are not uniform and the L shaped design will allow you to cradle logs/debris. Our tines are designed to penetrate the ground easily and minimize turf damage.(see pic below)
The squeezing power will be the same either way. The flow goes to the cylinder with the least resistance until it is closed tightly and is then it is transferred to the other one until the same is accomplished.
Travis

 

[4734]

For a grapple go with the open bottom style to allow the dirt and small rocks to fall through the tines and as others have said get the dual lids for odd shaped loads.
I have looked at several brands and decided on the 72" Wicked Grapple from EA. It arrived last week and man the pictures do not do it justice. The teeth are sharp and should hold the brush/logs tight, and built in USA!
It is one mean grapple, built tougher than most and much lighter than all. I have not had a chance to use it yet, but hopefully I will be able to this weekend.
EA thanks for a great product.

Greg

 

[Herkypilot]

Definitely! I'll check with Google ;-)

Any particular reason?

Are all the designs capable of all the applications above, like logs, boulders, heavy stuff like that?

That's why Google stock is so high...

Ted put a lot of thought into designing their grapple and it is build to last. Seems like pretty high quality to me. I bought the Wildkat grapple before they released their design. The top pic you had is also a WildKat design and I didn't like the hyd cylinders positioned to the outside of the two jaws. I would apply uneven clamping force and eventual result in bent up jaws. The EA design is better.

 

[TomSeller]

Guesseral, have you found any tasks that your particular grapple design was poorly suited for?

Travis, are the dual arms better suited for all around work than the single arm? Do the 2 cylinders splitting the hydraulic flow give more squeezing power than a single cylinder at full flow?

I have the 72" version of what Guesseral has. It does not pick up logs very well due to small lower teeth. It is a rake grapple that does better at exactly that, raking. I would not consider it a multi purpose grapple. It is very stout, mine was built when they were making it out of T1 steel and the tines are a full 1/2" thick. I have mine on a large tractor so weight is not an issue and it does well for raking and back raking. You will not be able to back rake with a typical L grapple effectively since they usually have only 2 or 4 teeth on the lid. If I had to pick a multi purpose grapple it likely would be Wildcat's Extreme Root Rake Grapple or Anbo's GR series.

 

[Tim13]

Great post TSO. I'm in a similar situation so I can't help you with what I bought but maybe can help with how I'm making my choice.

I planned to purchase this spring and had every intention of buying the Wildkat Econo 48" Grapple. Most everyone on TBN was happy with their choice and the price. Over the winter, I started reading about the Wicked Root Grapple. I like the fact that I can move up to a 60" grapple and still drop nearly 40 pounds. Having two upper hydraulic arms will help with uneven loads which will be great as I'm clearing a lot of cut brush and debris. Yes, the price is higher but I feel that the quality of the product and reputation of Everything Attachments supports the cost.

My last bit of research is regarding the Hound Dog Grapple from Michigan Iron which was mentioned in an earlier post. Price is similar to the Wicked grapple but I couldn't find the weight. The metal mesh is a nice option but that could also be added to most any other grapple.

I hope your choice goes well and once I've made a decision and ordered I'll be sure to post.

 

[sd455dan]

I prefer the tined open bottom style (manure?) any of the type that tie the tines together near the front defeat much of the purpose.
The first time a person tries to - clean a barn stall the tie bars will push the entire compressed( floor) up like carpet now u can still tilt the grapple after opening it up and drag it back and grab it but it still acts like a standard bucket with a grapple, and hopefully the wall didn't get pushed out in the process. i do like the double separate hinges .. the open bottom works better for brush to imo.
and it's
still plenty strong to grab a piece of wood I would recommend it but have no idea who manufactured this unit, but many manufacturers offer something similar- just saw the ATI brush fork that looks good to..
almost forgot, the avatar picture is also the same grapple, that was a simple stab and grab- out of a large refuse pile left from excavating the ground for our house, don't believe a tied bar style can get that mouth full in one try because the bar will push the material instead of penetrating it, this style allows the largest amount of material to be grappled...my 02 cents