Grapple Best 66"/72" Root/Rock Grapple Under 700 Lbs?

[Dougster]

The 48" Millonzi weighs in at less than 300lbs. They publish 280lbs. They also have a 60" double grapple version that weighs in the neighborhood of 500lbs. Personally, I don't see the need for more than 48" even with a 40hp tractor for typical grapple use. Stuff sticks out the sides anyway so what does a bigger grapple get you? Big advantage of the smaller (280lb) grapple is the extra 250+ lbs of lifting capacity over a larger grapple. I think the main reason the bigger grapples are so much more expensive and heavier is that they are built for big skid steer use and those machines have FEL capacities way in excess of what similarly powered CUTs have. Also, I am sure that demo work is tougher on grapples than landscaping work so the heavier gauge materials might be justified for construction use. As I have said before, I can carry so much brush with my 48" grapple that I cannot see where I am going and enough weight that even with a bush hog on the rear I begin to lose stability. Having anything bigger would only diminish the largest stump or rock I could lift and I'd actually get less material moved in the end with a larger grapple.

Hi Ed. I'll have to check out that Millonzi 60" double that you say is right around 500 pounds. That must be the one they refer to as the "light duty" grapple on their website. Haven't seen one anywhere yet including eBay... and their website doesn't list sizes, construction details, metal thicknesses or weights. I'm looking for 3/8" construction now as all of the 1/2" construction rock/root grapples I'm found so far are just too heavy... ~800 pounds and up. Anywhere around MA/RI/NH you know of where I could see one in person and check out how well it's made? Remember... it's not just about carrying logs, brush and debris with me. I'm actually trying to use this as a true rock/root grapple too! It's that dual-purpose thing that's been killing me!

And BTW, I did check out middle busters and sub-soilers like you said. You were right: They're cheap and appear to make a lot of sense. I could go nuts buying 3 pt equipment... and probably broke too! There's just no end to the possibilities! Backhoe need/removal notwithstanding, I will certainly keep that option in mind and go that route if appropriate. Still, I'm not working a large, open field here and I still do need to dig out and carry away whatever I bust loose! My FEL bucket is the pits for that unless/until I get it seriously reinforced. For now, a true rock/root grapple is still my number one tool of choice.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

To back up the strength of the Millonzi, I've already put it into several situations where the FEL or the B3030 couldn't move without tweaking the grapple at all.

Hi Charles - Not sure I get your meaning here, but it certainly sounds like you are satisfied with the Millonzi. I see you are fairly local to me. Did you buy your Millonzi in this area?

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Island Tractor continues to make a good point in all these threads about grapples, and the more I think about it the more it holds true...the product you are going to move is going to stick out anyway, so why go bigger. I suppose there are only a few applications where I can imagine that a longer grapple would do better, i.e. hay, grass, small items. However, for my application I want to use one grapple on a 75 hp tractor and a 40 hp tractor. Need it strong enough to with stand the big tractor, but not too big that the utility is lost in weight on the smaller. I'm thinking now about 60" or 66".

Hi Slippy - I have a dual application too in the sense that I want to use it as a true rock/root grapple... and also use it for logs, branches, brush and debris. That's my whole dilema. I need wide and heavy duty enough for the rock/root function... but light and agile enough to work well and not limit my lift capacity as a log/branch/debris mover. I wish I could afford (and be in a position to store) two separate units, but that's not realistic for right now.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

I agree also that a 60" is probably all one would need for general use. If your primary intent is to carry logs then wider would be better but for these small tractors most of us use 60" would even work for that. I am looking into the standard duty root grapple made by unlimited fabrication in NC, they have a 63" model that weighs around 600 lbs.

Hi Jim - Thanks very much for the tip on Unlimited Fabrication. Just checked out their website and it looks like their "root grapple standard" model with 3/8 inch construction is exactly what I'm looking for. No weights given, but 600 pounds for the 63" sounds about right. I'll verify weights for both the 72" and 63" via email and take it from there. Thanks!

Dougster

 

[goneandbrokeit]

I agree with all the posters that giving up some width can save a lot of weight. If you are concerned about loader payload you are probably not going to picking up 72" rocks with it anyway. I find when grasping a brush pile or logs having the load stick out the sides is not a problem.

I have a L3830 with a 48" inch grapple. If you want one attachment for rocks and brush you have to compromise. I chose to save the weight for payload.

 

[Dougster]

I agree with all the posters that giving up some width can save a lot of weight. If you are concerned about loader payload you are probably not going to picking up 72" rocks with it anyway. I find when grasping a brush pile or logs having the load stick out the sides is not a problem. I have a L3830 with a 48" inch grapple. If you want one attachment for rocks and brush you have to compromise. I chose to save the weight for payload.

Nope... no 72" rocks!!! I started out looking for a 72" grapple simply because my FEL bucket is 72" wide. Not very scientific, I know. But then I ran smack dab into the grapple weight/remaining lift capacity issue and knew instantly that there was a problem. I either had to go lighter-duty or less wide or both! Looks like the correct answer is "both"!!!

Still, thinking about the rock/root dig out function... and maybe even highly profitable storm debris cleanup work someday... as opposed to the log & brush moving thang, I hesitate to consider a grapple much smaller in width than the width/track of my front tires. That means something between 60 to 66 inches. I just fear that 48 inches (or less) might start to slow me down or have me driving over things I'd rather be scooping up. I've already got two plugs and a bulge in one front tire (yes, it's on my replacement list!). I'd rather not get too many more if I can avoid it.

Dougster

 

[1bush2hog]

There is a company in Denton, NC that makes Piranah brand grapples. They seem to be well made, but I have no experience with them.

At one time I was looking into purchsing their pallet forks for my tractor, but ended up going with a grapple from WR Long instead

 

[Dougster]

There is a company in Denton, NC that makes Piranah brand grapples. They seem to be well made, but I have no experience with them. At one time I was looking into purchsing their pallet forks for my tractor, but ended up going with a grapple from WR Long instead

Yeah, there are a lot of grapple folks down there... Unlimited, Mid-state Equipment, Loflin Fabrication, Grapple Wox... the list goes on. Bet I could get a heck of a good deal down in that town! Certainly better than up here in Eastern Taxachusetts!

But, in fact, most of those heavy-duty name brand units still weigh too much (or at least more than I'd like). I think those "standard" Unlimited Fabrication units could be just right for me. Just gotta verify the weights and get a price including freight that meets my budget.

I'd still like to get the weights on those dang Versatech grapples... 66" ideally. In all the pix on eBay and elsewhere, they look like they could be a pretty good compromise between ruggedness and weight. I kinda like the design and they are clearly in my (poor laid-off engineer's) affordability range. What is the deal on them? Why no manufacturer website? They apparently are "Made in USA"... but where? And by whom??? Are they junk? Or could they be the compromise I'm looking for at a price I can afford???

Dougster

 

[dknarnd]

Dougster...I called and talked to a gentleman from Unlimited and the standard 63" is "about 600 lbs" and the 72" is "about 650 lbs." Shipping to or PA is "around $200". Without negoiating the Millonzi weights less but cost more.

I am looking for the same use as you describe and have become very interested in this unit from unlimited. I like the idea of being able to slide under a rock or log before gripping it. I will probably find myself using it more for rocks and logs than brush although I do have brush to move also.

I would like to pull the trigger on one next week....we will see... please keep us posted as to anything you may find out.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'd still like to get the weights on those dang Versatech grapples... 66" ideally.

I have noticed on photos of the Versatech five foot grapples on eBay that they look almost identical to the Millonzi five foot version. I have no idea if they are from a common source or not.

I still would argue that I haven't heard any convincing rationale for getting more than a 48inch grapple for a CUT with loader capacity of less than 2500lbs or so. (i.e. less than a big skid steer). Logs are simply no issue and are held very firmly by curling the grapple after picking up the log so the log is lying in the "bottom" of the grapple then clamping down. I suppose if you like carrying logs in the "dump" position it would be better to have a double wider grapple but I don't see any reason to do that. I don't see the advantage for making trails as you'd always be making multiple passes as small trees and brush is not uniform and removing it is usually not the same as driving through an area with a brush hog. A smaller grapple is easier to dig with (why do you think backhoes have 12" buckets rather than 60" buckets?) Also for digging out bushes or rocks, the wider grapple is going to get in the way , for example due to tightly packed trees, more often than it will be a benefit. I know I am sounding like a broken record but I've never had a situation where a larger (even 60") grapple would have had the slightest advantage over the 48" and obviously the 60" will cut any tractor/FEL's lifting capacity by at least 250lbs. Bigger grapple equals less capacity and more expense period (IMHO ).