Thoughts on this grapple from a local dealer?

[FTG-05]

Local company to me has been selling these as long as I've had a tractor (i.e. about 3 years or so).

$1000 for a 72" model, which would fit my Kubota L4330 in place of my 72" bucket perfectly. Uses would be log and debris movements, brush piles, clearing land etc.

Comments, good bad or ugly? 72" Dual Cylinder Root Grapple Bucket — Skid Steer Attachment Depot

Specs:

- Weighs 600 Pounds
- Grapple opens 35"
- A36 Steel
- 3/8" Sides, Middles, & Tongs
- Cylinder - 2" by 8"
- Square Tubing Protects the Hydraulic Lines Running from the Pistons to the Back of the Attachment
-This Economy Grapple is Perfect for the Weekend Warrior!
- Great for smaller Tractors and Skid Steers
- Standard Skid Steer Based Flat Face Couplers Inc

More pics at the link.

Thanks!

 

[2458n]

Price is real good. Give it a try if you have the qssa on your loader. Most you could lose would be 250.00 if you had to resell.

 

[Fallon]

Most people going narrower on the grapple than your bucket. The clamping action holds stuff without the extra inches & the smaller size means more digging force per inch & more manuverability.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Nothing at all wrong with that grapple. Your other options would be to consider something in the 450# range to give you extra lift. Most 600# grapples will utilize 3/16 thick steel while the 900# units will use 1/2 steel. For large compacts and utility tractors IMHO 600# is the sweet spot. Your loader will lift 1750# to full height at 500mm. I would expect your bucket weighs in the neighborhood of 250# so you will only be losing around 350# of lift capacity versus the bucket. Very good price. Those grapples are available here in NC. We have lots of manufacturers here in the state.

 

[TripleR]

I use one like that on my L5740 and it works fine for my uses. I have no doubt there are better ones, but the price and quality worked well for me.

 

[LD1]

Most people going narrower on the grapple than your bucket. The clamping action holds stuff without the extra inches & the smaller size means more digging force per inch & more manuverability.

Looks like with those grapples the only thing you gain going narrower is maneuverability. The 60", 66", and 72" all seem to have the same number of ribs/teeth. Looks like they just space them tighter on the smaller ones.

And all being the same price, I'd probably be inclined to get the 72" as well.

 

[TractorGuy]

Looks like with those grapples the only thing you gain going narrower is maneuverability. The 60", 66", and 72" all seem to have the same number of ribs/teeth. Looks like they just space them tighter on the smaller ones.

And all being the same price, I'd probably be inclined to get the 72" as well.

My only thought on this is the wider the spacing the more stuff that falls through the gaps.

 

[LD1]

8 ribs at 3/8" thick each.......3"
7 evenly spaced openings......

72" should have 9.85" openings
66" should have 9" openings
60" should have 8.15" openings.

Guess it depends on what you want to use a grapple for I guess. Moving logs and brush....no real worries either way.

Moving debris/trash/rubble.....might make a difference.

But they also make grapple rock buckets, with lots more and closer spaced ribs.

 

[FTG-05]

Ok, thanks for the comments, I appreciate it!!!

Some more dumb questions:

Hydraulically, I'll need to add another valve to control the open/close of the jaws, correct? If so, what kind of valve/controller? Links to sources? I *assume* this is something I can get from Surplus Center or maybe even Tractor Supply.

And then I'll need to tap off my current FEL controller to get the pressurized oil for the grapple controller then another tap (tee) for the return line. And of course all the new hoses, plus a mount for the QD's near the SSQA plate (and a good place for the QD's?).

I did a search on "grapples" before posting, but didn't find the "Grapples 101/Everything You Wanted to Know" thread.

Thanks,

 

[Turbys_1700]

Your dealer can install the hydraulic kit for you...
Depending on what is involved this will be north of $1K...
You can install diverter or electric over hydraulic...
You can do it yourself for around $700...
Here is a kit that has everything you need...
Others on here have more experience than I do and better capabilities...

Tractor Third Function Hydraulic Valves

Here are some install videos...

One Touch Kit Installation for Tractor Loaders - Part 1 - YouTube
One Touch Kit Installation for Tractor Loaders - Part 2 - YouTube
One Touch Kit Installation for Tractor Loaders - Part 3 - YouTube