grapple or 4 in 1 bucket

[tanker8]

I am looking at getting a root grapple or a 4 in 1 bucket. Any suggestions on which way to go. I will be clearing brush and back grading. I am leaning toward the 4 in 1bucket at the moment.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I think that you will find that a grapple will work much better for your brush work. Most people don't think about it, but you can use a root grapple to grade with. Been there, done that.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Degolyerent]

I also use a root grapple to grade or backfill with. As you can see in the link it mentions it. http://www.loflinfabrication.com/products.htm#rootgrapple
This is the type I have and am very happy with it.
John

 

[EddieWalker]

Do you already have a bucket on your tractor? The 4 in 1 bucket will hold less material because of all the additional steel it takes to make, which makes it quite a bit heavier. If you are ordering the tractor and don't have it yet, then the 4 in 1 is a very good option, but it isn't anywhere in the same league as a grapple. My neighbor has a tractor very similar to mine with a 4 in 1 bucket and he has bent his bucket several times picking up logs with it. We're talking full sized loader backhoes. He gets the job done, but a good sized log that moves will bend the metal. I never have anything move when I pick it up with the grapple. I have two arms that lower that hold any sized load securely. My neighbor is seriously considering getting a grapple for his tractor, but seems to be hesitating because of the work involved in converting it to a quick attach or other system to easily remove his bucket and install a grapple.

I also have used my grapple to fill in holes from stumps. It's slower then the bucket, but still faster then taking it off and putting the bucket back on.

Nobody regrets owning a grapple. My tractor spends more time with the grapple on it then anything else!!!

Eddie

 

[hhsco]

I am looking at getting a root grapple or a 4 in 1 bucket. Any suggestions on which way to go. I will be clearing brush and back grading. I am leaning toward the 4 in 1bucket at the moment.

I've gotten quite a bit of seat time with a 4in1 bucket on a Case Backhoe. On that big ole machine the "dozer blade" part of the 4 in 1 is really hand for grading and whatnot and I've picked up plenty of trees and fence posts with the pinching hydraulics....that said I'd rather have a grapple on my own tractors 90% of the time, especially for clearing brush. Way easier to grab what you're trying to grab and can be used for all sorts of things, as the previous folks have pointed out. I'm not sure exactly what the weight difference is between 4-1 and grapple...but those 4-1 are HEAVY!

Either way you'll get by, but my vote is the grapple.

 

[k0ua]

You already have SSQA right? so it takes you a couple of minutes to put on the grapple or take it off. The bucket you already own is better than the 4n1 bucket. The grapple is way better than the pinch ability of the 4n1 for moving brush and logs. I vote grapple.

 

[greg_g]

The 4-in-1 obviously has inherent but limited grapple capability, and isn't much use in a root rake situation. I enhanced my Frontier 4-in-1 with a HD toothbar (removable) on the leading edge. That makes the whole thing a pretty fair compromise between a materials bucket, a grapple, a bi-directional scraper, and a root rake.

//greg//

 

[engine29]

Grapple for sure. They are two different attachments for different purposes. You have a bucket already,
So get the grapple. Try Everything attachments.

 

[NHbotanut]

I would say it really depends on how much you will be doing. More brush clearing or backgrading. I have both attachments and I generally leave the 4N1 on for the summer, but when I have a lot of brush to move or logs to stack, the grapple is the way to go....really cuts down the time. For the spring (if it ever gets here!) and summer, I tend to use the bucket for more chores and projects.

When I start dealing with logging and clearing, I switch over to the grapple. I don't have the SSQA system, but with the 4 pins it generally take 10-15 minutes to switch over.

 

[tanker8]

Most of the work would be with the bucket. I only have a 74" heavy duty bucket now and I am wanting to go to an 84" bucket. That was why I was thinking about going to a 4 in 1 bucket. I would use a grapple when I am clearing around the edges of my food plots.