Sorry to start a thread when there is already so much grapple content posted, but having read through a huge amount of it already I find myself with three (several really, but they can be sorted down into three main considerations) questions left unanswered. I want to get a grapple for my CUT but not knowing these things is making it hard for me to choose one.
1. Do the upper and lower tines pass each other such that the tips line up? In other words, could an operator carefully reach down and pick up a broomstick without much ground damage?
2. Do the upper and lower tine tips pass each other and keep closing further? Many designs have a support bar running across the width a few inches back from the tips. Do the upper tines come down enough to at least clamp against that bar? If no such bar, will the upper tines mesh all the way down through the lower tines? The units with longer, flatter lower tines especially appear to have a large open space even when closed. If they can pick up that broomstick, can they then carry it securely or is it bouncing around in the large open space?
3. Various designs seem to have different base angles for the skid-steer type quick attach plate. Many seem to be vertical, unlike the back of my loader bucket which is tilted forward maybe 20 degrees or so. So it seems like I've got to have my plates curled back some just to have the grapple level. Seems like I wouldn't have a lot of curl range left to rock the grapple back. Is this something that anybody else has worried about or does it just not present a problem in operation?
I'm hoping some of you will chime in with the model of your grapple unit and how it answers these questions. I'd be awfully thankful!
xtn
1. Do the upper and lower tines pass each other such that the tips line up? In other words, could an operator carefully reach down and pick up a broomstick without much ground damage?
2. Do the upper and lower tine tips pass each other and keep closing further? Many designs have a support bar running across the width a few inches back from the tips. Do the upper tines come down enough to at least clamp against that bar? If no such bar, will the upper tines mesh all the way down through the lower tines? The units with longer, flatter lower tines especially appear to have a large open space even when closed. If they can pick up that broomstick, can they then carry it securely or is it bouncing around in the large open space?
3. Various designs seem to have different base angles for the skid-steer type quick attach plate. Many seem to be vertical, unlike the back of my loader bucket which is tilted forward maybe 20 degrees or so. So it seems like I've got to have my plates curled back some just to have the grapple level. Seems like I wouldn't have a lot of curl range left to rock the grapple back. Is this something that anybody else has worried about or does it just not present a problem in operation?
I'm hoping some of you will chime in with the model of your grapple unit and how it answers these questions. I'd be awfully thankful!
xtn