Grapple Grappling for answers on Grapples

[Samandothers]

Oldchuck that is the first I remember any stating they damaged one of the grapples. How did you do it, or do you know when it happened? The Markham's may appreciate and email or feedback. Glad you were able to 'set things straight'.

 

[IslandTractor]

To bend the tines all in one direction must have involved a lateral force. Grapples are designed for up and down straight on forces and not for either twisting or lateral forces. In looking at the LD48 Markham compared to my LD48 Millonzi, I notice a few differences that might make the Markham a tad less resistant to a lateral force. First, the Millonzi has six tines whereas the Markham as only 5. Also, the Markham tines are built like an "L" which means there is a pretty long stretch of the tine that is supported only by the elbow of the L all the way at the back of the tine. A lateral force at the tip of the grapple would put a lot of leverage on that vulnerable elbow area. The Millonzi has a more cupped tine design with thicker (taller, both grapples are 3/8 mild steel) root at the corner. I don't know if that makes a difference but intuitively it seems like it would offer more resistance to lateral force. See photos (Millonzi on ends, Markham in middle).

Still, it seems most likely that an inadvertent lateral or twisting force was applied to the grapple. I've never seen a story on TBN of a grapple breaking or being damaged by straight on or up and down forces.

Again, I am not an engineer but I did spend the night in a Holiday Inn Express.

 

[J_J]

I've been reading this thread and looking at all of the pic's posted and i got to say i am disappointed. i bought a 66" bobcat grapple bucket a couple of months ago and i can't pick up root ball the size y'all are lifting. i know i can't lift rocks that big and don't think i could load it down with logs and lift.

i talked to my dealer after first bring home my tractor about how much my FEL should lift, i can hardly lift the bucket when it is fully loaded with dirt with a little crown. . . is that normal?

i would love to be able to lift branches and logs the way y'all are. . . i have to make more smaller grabs. any ideas?

FYI i own a Kubota mx5100

As far as lifting things, I believe most manufactures rate their units at the pin holes on the lifting arms, where the bucket attaches. If they state you can lift 1000 lbs, you then have to take away the weight of the bucket, or forks. This is assuming that the hydraulic pump is working properly, and the FEL valve is not worn very much.
When using the FEL, and the relief come on, then the pressure is at the set pressure, and is a good indicator of your pumps capability. There could be at least three relief valves in the hydraulic system, and all could be set differently. If you think it is not lifting correctly, you are probably right. I would get a hyd gage, and test the system. You need to know the pumps operating pressure, and if that is low, then everything will operate at diminished capacity.

Your roll back cylinders, should have a lot of force, because of the geometry, the lift cylinders are pushing at more of an angle. Have you noticed the relief activating when trying to tilt back? I had a worn pump on my machine, and could only lift half of the rated load.

I would recommend getting a gage and fittings to just plug in where you want to test, and you should be able to answer just about all your questions.

 

[horsinaround]

I have a 72" heavy duty quick attach skid steer solutions grapple for sale if anyone is interested.
Shoot me a PM.
It is listed in the classifieds.

 

[Ken45101]

I bought the Markham 48 last winter. Standard configuration. Have used it quite a bit. Valuable tool. However not long after I started using it the damned thing bent significantly to the right. All of the tines bent as a unit. I don't think I was using it all that hard mostly picking up trash wood, sometimes frozen in the ground.

I used it bent that way for several months and it didn't seem to work all that bad. Couple weeks ago the guy doing excavation for me put his big track hoe to work and bent it back. Then I had a guy weld on 1/4" reinforcing plates on the outside tines and put reinforcing plates between each of the interior tines similar to the gussets on the tips. I don't think I will be able to bend it again. Didn't add much weight but did add a lot of strength. I was treated to some serious and colorful criticism of the design by the rock and dirt guy.

I'd recommend having Markham beef it up before delivery.

I've read through this entire thread and it's been very useful since I want to buy a grapple for my skid steer, but I may also use it on the tractor.

I'm still not clear, however, as to whether I want the flat bottom, or the clamshell type. Sigh, so much reading, and still no answer, LOL.

I just wanted to note, however, that Oldchucks's comment about the Markham bending, they only make a 48" in a light duty model. Perhaps instead of recommending Markham "beef it up", one should consider one of their heavier duty models?

Ken

 

[IslandTractor]

I've read through this entire thread and it's been very useful since I want to buy a grapple for my skid steer, but I may also use it on the tractor.

I'm still not clear, however, as to whether I want the flat bottom, or the clamshell type. Sigh, so much reading, and still no answer, LOL.

I just wanted to note, however, that Oldchucks's comment about the Markham bending, they only make a 48" in a light duty model. Perhaps instead of recommending Markham "beef it up", one should consider one of their heavier duty models?

Ken

I have a 48" light duty grapple that has been used extensively and aggressively on a 40 hp tractor. So long as you don't put assymmetric loads on these things it is next to impossible to bend them IMO. At least with a CUT.
I would be more careful with a skidsteer.

Markham is happy to build 48" grapples with 1/2 rather than 3/8 steel if you like.

 

[Samandothers]

Ken,
I have really enjoyed my 60" Markham grapple. Mine is more the open bottom or more 'L' shaped style. It is great for getting under logs, rocks, or brush to pick them up. I don't use it for 'raking' out roots. I have rolled it over and used to to level a little dirt or push on some roots or rocks but I have not tried to dig it in the ground and drive forward with the intent to rake an area for roots. I would think if that was the primary function a more dozer blade style, clam shell style of a root rake may be better.
It is probably one of the most useful implements I have.