Grapple Grapples Galore

[1bush2hog]

Mtnview -

I could not get your link to work

 

[RFB]

glowplug,

One thing you might want to do is to check your hydro pressure with a gauge (installed on a QC) clicked onto one of your loaders QC's.

When I checked my 5030 upon delivery, it was substantially lower (hundreds of pounds) than facory spec. Shims placed into the relief valve assembly will enable one to adjust the pressure up to factory specifications, which gives/restores full FEL lift capability. And they will lift (real world) quite a bit more than they say.

 

[Glowplug]

glowplug,

One thing you might want to do is to check your hydro pressure with a gauge (installed on a QC) clicked onto one of your loaders QC's.

When I checked my 5030 upon delivery, it was substantially lower (hundreds of pounds) than facory spec. Shims placed into the relief valve assembly will enable one to adjust the pressure up to factory specifications, which gives/restores full FEL lift capability. And they will lift (real world) quite a bit more than they say.

Thanks. I'll have to try that. I was digging up an outside riding arena last night with my FEL. When I had a full bucket the rate of lifting was very slow. Now, that was wet, coarse, heavy sand-like material. But it had my loader lift capacity maxed out.

Thanks to everyone who have replied thus far. I couldn't get the link for Unlimited Fabrication that MtnViewRanch had posted to work on my home computer last night either. But it worked fine on my computer at work today. I don't know why.

I think I am narrowing it down to the WR Long grapple, because there are so many good things said about it and the Markhamwelding grapple. Part of the reason I like the Markham welding grapple is that if I order it and my tooth bar at the same type I would get a bit of a discount. I still have Millonzi on the short-list too. I just can't see spending over $3,000 on those other grapples. It doesn't seem like they would do any better and are not worth it.

 

[MrJimi]

Mountainview's link
Skid Steer loader attachments
Yes, its the right one, it takes you to rootgrapple.com

 

[pdsrms]

I also have an Unlimited Fabrications standard root grapple 63" on a L39, (2200 lbs. max height lift at bucket center). It is a great piece of equipment. Paid $1,500 delivered. Be wary of the extra weight. Mine ways 600 lbs and I have had to switch back to a regular bucket (with chain on bucket hook)when lifting large root balls. Sometimes that loss of a few hundred pounds lifting capacity makes a difference.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Sorry for any problems that any of you had with my link, I don't know why there are any problems, it works fine at my end.( home & work )

 

[IslandTractor]

. Be wary of the extra weight. Mine ways 600 lbs and I have had to switch back to a regular bucket (with chain on bucket hook)when lifting large root balls. Sometimes that loss of a few hundred pounds lifting capacity makes a difference.

I agree. Smaller is better when it comes to grapples for brush, trees and root balls. The bigger grapples come to their own when collecting construction debris etc or if you have a truly large skid steer.

I have posted a few more photos of the "naked" Millonzi 48" Light duty root grapple. Wt. 280lbs. These show some of the positions you can put the grapple in to pick up material. I think a straight bottomed grapple might not work as well with what I term the "pick up" mode rather than "scoop up" which all grapples and grapple buckets should do well. While I use the scoop mode quite often, when it comes to picking up a small brush pile it is more efficient and less messy to come down over the top of the pile and "pick up" the pile rather than pushing it along the ground to scoop it up. I will actually come down on the pile at a slight angle to get the bottom grapple jaw under the pile then slowly drive forwards while rotating the top grapple over the pile. I find that increases the amount I can get in by rolling the pile into the grapple jaws. Once the top jaw has rolled over I just close it and I have a nice big bite of brush. The same is true for positioning the grapple to pull out small rootballs/stumps as you can come down over the top of the stump and use the grapple jaws to dig under the stump and then curl and pull it out in one step.

 

[ScottOkla]

I have the Unlimited Fabrications grapple (rootgrapple.com) like a few others on this thread. I love it. $ for $, it is the best value of any attachment I bought. It is VERY sim ilar to the Markham one. Same city even.

I use it on my L5030, with my large Cammond BB on the back (same as one of the Texas posters). I can still lift the back tires off the ground if I am not careful. I am now a believer that narrower (which I have) is better, but the light-duty one might be even better for my tractor/uses than the heavy-duty one I have.

My typical use is to move very old and very large trees to burn piles. I can clamp down on them from the top fairly well, but maybe not as well as other designs do. On the other hand, the dual upper parts allow me to pick up and keep things in the grapple that others may not.

 

[m7040]

With Thumb on the bucket I can do about the same things that Islandtractor can pick up for a lot less cost

 

[SOS]

Here is a bolt on one. ($1,200)