Grapple heavier grapple or not

[IslandTractor]

About a month ago I bought a cheap light-duty Versatech grapple at an auction for $600. It kinda looks like Island's Millonzi, but is 66" wide. Haven't got to test it out as I still haven't installed the SCV kit I bought last summer. From the beginning I assumed I would cut off the 2 outer tines to convert it to a 48" grapple to save on weight on my little 28 hp CUT. Maybe now I'll just leave it as is to see if the weight is really that much of a problem. .

If I were in your shoes I'd use it as is. Although I argue for 48" as ideal, I wouldn't mess with the structure of the grapple if I could avoid it. The outside bottom tines on my grapple are welded to the ends of the frame and appear to be engineered to support more than the inner tines.

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

If I were in your shoes I'd use it as is. Although I argue for 48" as ideal, I wouldn't mess with the structure of the grapple if I could avoid it. The outside bottom tines on my grapple are welded to the ends of the frame and appear to be engineered to support more than the inner tines.

Yeah, I thought about that too (the outer tines being stronger.) Figured I could have somebody that knows what they are doing cut the outer tines off first, then the next ones in and replace them with the original outer ones. I know it would be a lot of work, but the grapple may be near useless if it way too heavy. Plus, I am pretty nervous about tweaking the loader arms. I'll start out with it the way it is and then go from there.

 

[dstig1]

Yeah, I thought about that too (the outer tines being stronger.) Figured I could have somebody that knows what they are doing cut the outer tines off first, then the next ones in and replace them with the original outer ones. I know it would be a lot of work, but the grapple may be near useless if it way too heavy. Plus, I am pretty nervous about tweaking the loader arms. I'll start out with it the way it is and then go from there.

You'll probably only save 50-100 lbs that way, in my guessing. Hardly seems worth it... If it's way too heavy, then one set of tines won't make it much happier.

 

[IslandTractor]

Regarding Jake's point about needing to raise the grapple to travel...here are a few photos that demonstrate what I was talking about regarding needing to raise it to see regardless of grapple width. With a full load of brush you just cannot see where you are going unless you raise the grapple. I don't raise it high, just to the intermediate position. If I am on a slope I keep it low and peek around the front tires to see where I am going (slowly).

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

You'll probably only save 50-100 lbs that way, in my guessing. Hardly seems worth it... If it's way too heavy, then one set of tines won't make it much happier.

You guys may be right, PLUS I really don't know how much it actually weighs. It just seemed pretty heavy for the short time I had it on the tractor. I'll try it as is and be careful not to mess up the arms.

 

[IslandTractor]

You guys may be right, PLUS I really don't know how much it actually weighs. It just seemed pretty heavy for the short time I had it on the tractor. I'll try it as is and be careful not to mess up the arms.

You won't likely have any trouble. Your tractor is not very heavy or powerful so you are unlikely to do any damage. Use it aggressively just make sure you don't put twisting forces on it if possible. Line things up and go straight in and out. Balance loads, especially logs/trees etc.

 

[universalgirl]

Jake98, believe it or not I have already hit the lift capacity of my FEL with the grapple. I have one tree stump that I just can稚 move with the grapple. I figure the 60 Gator with the extra tines is approximately 500 lbs, so I should have a lift capacity around 2260 lbs. I知 sure my FEL with grapple is operating near that capacity due to some of the other items I moved, but it just can稚 pick up that red oak stump. It痴 out of the hole so I know there are no roots still connect.

Moving a stump with a grapple is so much quicker and easier then chaining it up and dragging it, but it looks like the drag pain is coming.

As usual the key to implement purchase is first evaluated how youæ±*e going to use it. Moving hardwood stumps and large rocks can really stress the FEL capacity, so I would recommend a lighter grapple to maximum the lift capacity. If all youæ±*e going move is brush all today then get a larger grapple to maximum the cubic feet carry capacity.

Have you ever used a long bottom stump grapple? It weighs about 700lbs and opens 50 1/2".

 

[kattywumpus]

No, I have not. It looks like Gator's Extreme Stump Grapple. I am sure it's great for stump removal but it would not help my situation. I had no problem removing the stump, the problem is the front end loader (FEL) can not lift it for transport. The grapple I own weight is approximately 500 lbs. Using a 700 lbs grapple would further reduce my FEL lift capacity.

 

[kattywumpus]

Regarding Jake's point about needing to raise the grapple to travel...here are a few photos that demonstrate what I was talking about regarding needing to raise it to see regardless of grapple width. With a full load of brush you just cannot see where you are going unless you raise the grapple. I don't raise it high, just to the intermediate position. If I am on a slope I keep it low and peek around the front tires to see where I am going (slowly).

As usual everyone's situation is different. I do not need to raise my loads high because I'm driving down a tree lined path or driveway so I don't need to see immediately in front of the tractor. As long as I am between the trees I'm on the path. Also the path and driveway are somewhat smooth so I do not need to be concerned about uneven ground catching the grapple. Because the load is low I can see 75 feet in front of the tractor so I can avoid the random drunk moose!

 

[ManAtArms]

...
I know Jake and others are happy with their wider heavier grapples but I've still in five years never seen anyone with a bigger grapple post a photo or describe something they were able to do that our little bitty 48 inch grapples cannot do just as well....

I have a 72" Gator on my tractor (dual arms). I can see there would be times that a 48" with a single arm would be useful, but for most of what I do I would much rather have the 72". I sell firewood and maintain my farm. Here's some examples where I beleive a wider grapple is a better choice than a smaller one:

-skimming the ground to clean up debris, usually firewood splitting scraps. In this case I can clear a wider path and pick up more material in each bite.

-picking up split firewood and moving it from A to B...again I can get a bigger scoop with the wider grapple...two arms helps clamp down on the wood.

-Picking up blocks and moving them towards the splitter. I cut my logs into 16" blocks and move them to my splitter using the grapple. In this situation, the wider grapple and dual arms is very nice...I can get a big load and clamp it good, even if uneven.

-loading the grapple with small -medium boulders...I have a lot of land that I've been grading and leveling...We have very rocky soil and I could easily have to move a few hundred 8-15" boulders in an acre. The 72" with dual arms allows me to push these boulders around to to make a pile without hitting my wheels, get a bigger bite of the pile and clamp it more securely for transport.

That being said, the smaller grapple could be nice for a more "concentrated force" task, where the 72" couldn't get under something...but I have the backhoe and hydro thumb for those tasks. My backhoe has more breakout force anyway.

As island pointed out, the heavy duty 72" grapple is, well, heavier, so my net lift is not as great as it would be with a 300lbs grapple. There have been quite a few times that I can't lift a large boulder with the grapple...however I'm not sure if 300 lbs. would make a difference either way.



That's my .02

-Mark.