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

[sd455dan]

This sounds so familiar , the first 3 years after getting my first tractor. I needed to move logs ,brush, pallets and on and on.
and I did ALL of it with a set of pallet forks, and for many jobs still do...

If on a tight budget, I recommend a set of pallet forks before even thinking about a grapple(well not thinking about) just buying...They can accomplish much. I got the chain around the bucket style rated for 3000 lbs. for about $200 with a 10 year warranty, they are the round style, which is a drawback for pallets, but they easily lifted to the loaders max capacity..and yo can add your own custom touches like this Originally built it for lifting 8 hay bales at a time to the upper levls of a stack- can't do it with a grapple don't recommend it for what i used it for here...:ashamed:

 

[IslandTractor]

But it will still pick up and move smaller diameter logs, it doesn't have to grip it tight. I vote for a wide opening for brush. :thumbsup:

Look what can be done on forks, no grapple!
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=313852"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=313853"/>
I pulled them with a chain to the pile, then picked them up and dropped them on the pile.

Forks are fine for lifting logs IF you can find the dead center of weight to balance the load. They are popular in logging operations but mostly for moving cut and delimbed logs short distances on flat ground. Easy to estimate the balance point in that situation. Not so easy to judge the balance point of an uprooted tree. Also, moving with a load in field conditions can be pretty dicey with just a set of forks and nothing to restrain the load besides gravity.

 

[cstamm81]

IslandTractor, do you happen to know any of the other company's names that sell lighter weight single lid 48" or so grapples that are around $1000? Gator is NAI now? Light Duty Root Grapple - NAI
I like the design of the Wicked that EA sells, but really prefer the single lid style. I am after what closely resembles the now unattainable Millonzi.

 

[cstamm81]

These look interesting, but I am not sure if 32" max opening will be enough. Hound Dog Brush / Debris Grapples

I really want to be able to grab the occasional 36" + diameter short log that I get for firewood. What does the Millonzi open to?

 

[IslandTractor]

These look interesting, but I am not sure if 32" max opening will be enough. Hound Dog Brush / Debris Grapples

I really want to be able to grab the occasional 36" + diameter short log that I get for firewood. What does the Millonzi open to?

I am not near my tractor now but from looking at photos, I would estimate the opening of my Millonzi is between 36 and 48 inches. Probably about 42". Here are some photos to help you judge yourself.

 

[murphy1244]

It also helps to get your grapple for free! Right Roger.

 

[TomSeller]

These look interesting, but I am not sure if 32" max opening will be enough. Hound Dog Brush / Debris Grapples

I really want to be able to grab the occasional 36" + diameter short log that I get for firewood. What does the Millonzi open to?

This is one thing I have been impressed about WR Long grapples. The open bottom ones open to 44" and 47". This is very important in grabbing big loads with an L grapple, much more important to me than width.

 

[IslandTractor]

This is one thing I have been impressed about WR Long grapples. The open bottom ones open to 44" and 47". This is very important in grabbing big loads with an L grapple, much more important to me than width.

I agree. Width is important only if you are scraping along the ground picking up debris.

 

[cstamm81]

hmm, seems like the most comparable thing today is the 48" Wildkat economy. I have to see how wide that opens. As your one pic shows, I want to be able to pick up big diameter logs and rounds to split up for firewood. Regarding large rounds, I have a question. Say I have a 36" diameter round that is cut to a 20" length. If the round is set on it's side, so cut sides facing out, is it possible to pick the round up clamping on the cut ends? So tilt the grapple to full dump position, and clamp and pick up by lowering grapple onto the round from above. Reason I ask is I want to be able to work large rounds onto the log splitter like this. Hopefully this makes sense.

 

[sd455dan]

I have done it that way... the thing that a person has to watch is as you pick it up to toggle the grapple so that it keeps tightening as the round comes off the ground..

After reading the above posts decided to see how wide of opening my grapple had and it comes in at 48.5 inches, but as posted before to actually grip a log it needs to be about 2 foot in diameter...