Grapple Bucket Grapple Decision

[GregJ]

It's been a long time since I have posted here, but I have benefited from the collective knowledge of this group many times in the past. I have a Kubota B7500 with FEL and BH that I bought new in 2002. It has paid for itself at least 3 times over in the 8 years I have owned it. I have yet to have a problem with it and it has done WAY more than I ever thought it could.

OK.... Enough bragging about my orange paint..... Right now we are in the process of having our forested land thinned at the back of our property. We are removing close to 100 trees. A majority of these trees are alder. They all have to come down because they are 60-80 years old and starting to rot. Commercial value for veneer logs is around 1200mbf and 600mbf for saw logs. So, we will be putting some cash in the bank on this deal. Unfortunately the CFO of the household has all the cash earmarked for an asphalt driveway into our property. For some reason she doesn't like mud on her beloved 20 year old BMW.....

However, I am attempting to dip into those pre-allocated funds to ad a hydraulic grapple to my tractor. The thought of manually cleaning up all that debris makes this 58 year old body cringe?

I have been doing a lot of research and would really appreciate some feedback. I really want to keep the cost as low as possible on this. I have found 4 units to evaluate. All prices include shipping:

1. Wikco Add-a-Grapple $695
2. Green Machines "The Thumb" $419
3. Tatro Grapple $395
4. Extreme Metal Products (Complete Turn-key Unit) $1,099

For the first three I would need a diverter valve and hoses. I have found the following:

1. Basic manual diverter valve (Wikco) $140
2. Electric diverter valve (Wikco) $390

I estimate that I would need around $250 for hoses. So, the complete price for all of these items with an electric diverter valve ranges from $1,035 (Tatro) to $1,335 (Wikco)

So, I would like to ask:
Can anybody share some experiences any of these units?
Can anybody suggest other low cost alternatives?
I would like this grapple to be easily removable. Any thoughts?
I have hooks welded onto the top of my bucket and would like to mount this above the hooks so I don't have to lose them.
I do not weld, so this would have to be a bolt on unit.
Hydraulic flow is 7gpm.

Any and all feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[foggy1111]

I wanted a grapple on my old 790 too....but lacked the hydraulics and a few other things to keep me happy. So....I traded tractors first then added a root grapple from Markham/gator.

Here are things to consider:

1. QC Bucket? IF so, then a dedicated root grapple could be an affordable option.
2. Tractor QC connectors? Front Hoses? If not, then diverter valve may be best option. (but adding remotes may be a good alternative too?)
3. Hydraulic and welding skills? As you noted.
4. Dirt bucket or snow bucket needs alternately? (removing may be a hastle)
5. Cost. Hydraulic costs are the same with either a bucket grapple or a dedicated root grapple.
6. Long-term added value. To me a dedicated root grapple always has value seperate from the tractor.
7. And....probably the most important feature to compare: Operation. I think the dedicated grapple is a better performer for my needs.

I considered adding a diverter valve on my tractor, but had the 3rd SVC valve and lines to the front already, so was not required. I did look at these valves at the Surplus Center (TBN Advertiser) and would have purchased my valve from them had I gone that route. (Do a search on diverter valves for hours of reading.)

FWIW....I like having a dedicated root grapple and keeping my bucket ready for dirt work....at a moments notice via the QC feature. Costs about $1100 shipped to MN.....your shipping may be more.

 

[Willl]

I'd stay away from that Extreme Metal Products grapple. Watching their video it seems to have next to 0 crushing pressure. Does little more than just lay the grapple on the load.

Approx where in WA are ya ?

 

[GregJ]

Foggy1111,
Thanks for pointing me in the direction lf a quick attach system. That would add functionality and save on some hydraulic costs. My assumption was that it would be cost prohibitive. What brand root grapple do you have? Now I just need about another 20 hours of google time.....

Willl,
I have read that about the Extreme Metal Products grapple. The convenience of a turnkey system was the only tempting factor. It does look a bit light duty.

I am in North Kitsap.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[wedge40]

There are alot of people on here who have been please with one of these.
Gator Attachments Light Duty Grapple Rake.
I have one on an old 50HP Ford and love the thing. It's on more then the bucket is.

Wedge

 

[nybirdman]

I added a Green's Machine Thumb&Markham tooth-bar.Happy with it,doesn't add a lot of weight to the bucket,easily removed(both bolted on).What ever you do the hydraulics will be the same cost.I had to weld an angle on the top of my bucket to get the proper close.About $900.00 two years ago,I already had the third function installed for my snow plow.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have an ATI grapple that I am quite happy with. No one seems to mention these and I don't know why. I have had it for quite a few years.

 

[jpm]

i have the ATI grapple also .it works great :thumbsup:

 

[CurlyDave]

I have a root grapple from these folks: Skid Steer loader attachments and am very satisfied with it.

 

[jgrreed]

There are alot of people on here who have been please with one of these.
Gator Attachments Light Duty Grapple Rake.
I have one on an old 50HP Ford and love the thing. It's on more then the bucket is.

Wedge

I'm willing to bet you have a Markham grapple, not a gator.

I'm sure you've been told, and you may think, that they're the same thing. They're not. Trust me.

-Jer.