Grapple JD 5525 with 563 loader; 91 hp: What grapple to buy for this non-CUT??

[exiled cheesehead]

I've been looking around the Forum and see many opinions and posts about grapples for 20-50 hp CUTs. What about a heavy duty grapple for my 91 hp JD 5525, which is not a CUT? This tractor has a lot of power and weight.

I think I want to get either a Bodozer or an Anbo as the rake type grapple is more suited to what I need to do. I am thinking of either a 6' or 7' wide one? For comparison, the 7' wide bush hog matched to this tractor just barely "cuts out" the tires. Moving brush, picking up logs, piling brush piles, and accumulating sawn off tree branches from around my fields as I slowly drive forward will be the main jobs for this grapple.

Who out there has a similar sized tractor and what grapple do you have for it?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this subject and your experience.

 

[sixdogs]

I do not have a grapple but I do have a 5520 with a loader and I can say "go big". Mine is a beast and I lift pieces of equipment that you wouldn't think possible. Seven foot would seem a better choice than six foot.

 

[murphy1244]

i know P Clousan bought a big M series Deere I think he bought a Frontier Grapple.

 

[oosik]

I live some 80 miles south of Anbo here in Eastern WA state. I've been to the Anbo plant and I can tell you - they make a beast of a grapple. The nice thing - they will work with you and make just about any type, size, configuration you want.

I would suggest a grill guard or modifying your grill guard PRIOR to using the grapple. Attached is a pic of my modified guard.View attachment 403892

 

[1026mrg]

I've been looking around the Forum and see many opinions and posts about grapples for 20-50 hp CUTs. What about a heavy duty grapple for my 91 hp JD 5525, which is not a CUT? This tractor has a lot of power and weight.


Who out there has a similar sized tractor and what grapple do you have for it?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this subject and your experience.

We have a JD 5095M very similar is in size. 95hp tractor, 80+hp off the PTO.

Have two grapples.
First is a Frontier Root Grapple, AV20G, 77" root grapple. This was purchased from the original JD dealer who sold us the tractor and sized the grapple to the machine.

Second is a stone fork, or stone rake with grapple arm. HLA SFR77A0600 and HLA GR66, 66" retainer grapple. Also purchased through our JD dealer and sized to the
machine.

Both are excellent attachments and are "right sized" to the unit, size, ruggedness, etc. The root grapple is best for moving trees, brush etc.
The stone fork really is much better suited to moving rocks, both large & small. The shape & design of the stone fork does not lend itself to hauling large logs or trees.

The tines on the stone fork are solid, round steel, vs the rectangular steel tines on the root grapple.
Also, the root grapple has welded on tine tips. They are great because they are a sacrificial wear part. Not so great because a lot of rock & stone work will loosen them & lose them.
The stone fork on the other hand has solid tines that come to a rounded off point. Much more durable for rocks & stones.

The only "do over" I wish I had was to buy the HLA stone fork with the two piece, independent arm grapple. Our Frontier (JD) root grapple has two independent upper
arms that do the grabbing. The HLA stone fork that we have has the "grab portion" as a one piece unit. I prefer the two piece uppers, but this was my mistake for not being
more clear when ordering.

As mentioned, both have their niche and uses to which they are better suited. Both are appropriately sized for a piece of equipment in your size range. We have been very satisfied
with performance and durability.

Hope that helps.

 

[AKfish]

I have a cab 5075M and 563MSL loader that I use with a Heavy Duty (>900lbs) Rake Master root grapple. The grapple is only 66 inches and the tines are 1" steel. I wouldn't want a bigger grapple than that. But, I use it to dig fresh stumps and root wads up. If I'm not careful, it would be very easy to twist or bend the loader arms.

A bigger, wider loader would be even harder on the loader arms and frame if you're actually digging and working out roots and stumps.

One additional factor that I have come to recognize after a number of years clearing timber and hauling logs with a tractor and loader -- the longer the log and the wider the grapple -- the greater the leverage i.e. twisting exerted on the loader arms. So, I try to keep the weight of the logs close in to the loader with cutting shorter lengths.

That said, if you're just cleaning up and doing wood lot maintenance; hauling some brush and down limbs then, a big grapple is the real deal! You can get a giant, mouth full with a 7' footer!

AKfish

 

[1026mrg]

A bigger, wider loader would be even harder on the loader arms and frame if you're actually digging and working out roots and stumps.

One additional factor that I have come to recognize after a number of years clearing timber and hauling logs with a tractor and loader -- the longer the log and the wider the grapple -- the greater the leverage i.e. twisting exerted on the loader arms. So, I try to keep the weight of the logs close in to the loader with cutting shorter lengths.

AKfish

Amen to that.... First, whomever you buy the grapple from should have some perspective on proper size in relation to tractor & loader arms.

Second, X2 on AKfish comments reference leverage. Yeh, it is fun to pick up a whole tree, root ball & all. But not conducive to equipment longevity. When dealing with blow downs, we always cut the tree close to the root and deal with the root ball separately from the main tree/log. Also, we cut our logs into 9' sections, skid them out, & then use the grapple/loader. The 9' sections are manageable from a leverage perspective. Also these are the lengths that we use for firewood if the log is hardwood.

 

[TomSeller]

Some pretty good lift capacity in the 563 loader

John Deere Equipment > Material Handling > Utility Loaders > 563 Specifications | Heath's Inc. | Your John Deere Dealer in Monticello, Illinois | Tractors, Combines, Riding Lawn Mowers

I have one of the larger Wildcat grapples that goes on the JD 5425 and it does well. You do give up lift capacity on the heavier grapples, they lift LESS. I don't worry so much about lift capacity with a grapple for large odd shapes since even 1500 lbs extended out the sides and front is a concern for me, getting through gates, crossing my bridges, etc. I mostly am concerned with lift capacity when using forks, etc. in what I do.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Style-type of grapple can make a huge difference with what your main use of the attachment is going to be used for. I run an 81" wide 900lb root grapple on my 75hp, 12,000lb tractor that has a 3900lb lift to full height rating. I use my grapple as an all around type grapple attachment. Sometimes I wish that I had both a rake grapple and a root grapple, but overall I'm satisfied with the root grapple that I have.

In the last picture, although it would be best to be using a rake grapple for cleaning the ground, it sure is nice to go along with the tines about 8" in the ground and pop up root balls and just collect them until the grapple is full. I cleaned up about 5 acres in this fashion. Best to do this when the ground is damp though. And for us in California, that's been a few years.

Last picture, finished results after smoothing-evening out and a final disking.

 

[LaVita]

I have half the tractor you do but bought a BoDozer and am very happy with it. I have hauled many trees with this grapple and is my most used front end attachment. It is wade well with 1" tines on the outside (and a few on the inside as I recall). It's a great piece of equipment. The key to using this is overall tractor balance. The owner of BoDozer was great to work with (don't remember his name offhand). He helped me design the diverters to use on my Kubota L4330. Mine is 66".