Grapple Any one have this grapple

[Kytractor]

I use to have a grx 74 brush grapple from skidsteer solutions (1295lbs) for an M59 that I had a few years ago made by anbo. It was a little pricy but good. I am looking at this root grapple by pallet forks.com that weighs around 600lbs and is 60 inches for my L45 that I have now. It cost 3 times less. http://stores.palletforks.com/-strse-37/60"-Root-Grapple-Rake/Detail.bok The teeth don't seem to be as long and instead of ar400 steel it is made of T1. They also have a 60 grapple bucket (it's really not a bucket) though I've never used one like that, Looks similar to Island Tractor but with two 3000 psi cylinders. Any thoughts on either one of these? Does any one have one and does the shorter teeth make a difference? Also looked at one from faver out of ar400 steel that looked pretty good but still a little higher than I want to go at this time. http://faverinc.com/grapple_rakes.h...y=Grapple Bucket Attachments:60" Grapple Rake

 

[Hilltop Hillbilly]

I am looking at this root grapple by pallet forks.com that weighs around 600lbs and is 60 inches for my L45 that I have now. It cost 3 times less. http://stores.palletforks.com/-strse-37/60"-Root-Grapple-Rake/Detail.bok The teeth don't seem to be as long and instead of ar400 steel it is made of T1. They also have a 60 grapple bucket (it's really not a bucket) though I've never used one like that, Looks similar to Island Tractor but with two 3000 psi cylinders. Any thoughts on either one of these? http://faverinc.com/grapple_rakes.h...y=Grapple Bucket Attachments:60" Grapple Rake

What kind of work are you doing with it? For most residential / homeowner uses, AR400 or the like is way overkill. You can drop a lot of cost by going with mild steel, and if something ever does need fixing, it's a lot easier to repair yourself.

If you're looking for bulletproof (i.e. need to make sure the job gets done no matter what) AR400 can't be beat. And it'll take all the punishment you can give it, even in heavy commercial use.

Just make sure you size the grapple to your loader. From your profile it looks like you can handle a pretty large grapple, but the lighter the grapple, the larger a load you can handle. In my book, lighter and smaller is always better (as long as it's strong enough).


HH

 

[Kytractor]

What kind of work are you doing with it? For most residential / homeowner uses, AR400 or the like is way overkill. You can drop a lot of cost by going with mild steel, and if something ever does need fixing, it's a lot easier to repair yourself.

If you're looking for bulletproof (i.e. need to make sure the job gets done no matter what) AR400 can't be beat. And it'll take all the punishment you can give it, even in heavy commercial use.

Just make sure you size the grapple to your loader. From your profile it looks like you can handle a pretty large grapple, but the lighter the grapple, the larger a load you can handle. In my book, lighter and smaller is always better (as long as it's strong enough).


HH

Thanks, I think the Ti steel is strong enough for what ill be using. Brush and tree clean up. some rocks and pretty good size logs. Any opinions on the two types of grapples? clam shell vs root bucket design?

 

[Ductape]

2nd link is not working for me. The first grapple looks very appealing, especially the price. Do you know what the weight is on it?

 

[Hilltop Hillbilly]

Any opinions on the two types of grapples? clam shell vs root bucket design?

Like many other's here, I have the Wildkat 48" econo grapple, and I can't say enough good things about it. A tremendous value for the price, and *very* versatile. I've moved brush, logs, and 1500lb rocks without any problems whatsoever.

So, I'm definitely biased towards that style of grapple (like your second link: Grapple Rakes | Faver) The reason being, I can use the bucket roll down to come down on top of things like brush or logs and clamp down on them just as effectively as the root grapples. But I can also slide the long bottom (horizontal) supports under things like large rocks and use the grapple to lock them in place. Then the entire weight of the rock is supported by the bottom of the grapple. You can't do that with a root grapple.

Island Tractor convinced me to get that style, and Missouri Pioneer sold me on the Wildkat. They were both dead right.

Have you considered the Wildkat? Many of us have them, and I haven't heard one person yet who wasn't absolutely thrilled with it.


HH

 

[Kytractor]

2nd link is not working for me. The first grapple looks very appealing, especially the price. Do you know what the weight is on it?

about 600 pounds.http://faverinc.com/grapple_rakes.htm

 

[Kytractor]

Like many other's here, I have the Wildkat 48" econo grapple, and I can't say enough good things about it. A tremendous value for the price, and *very* versatile. I've moved brush, logs, and 1500lb rocks without any problems whatsoever.

So, I'm definitely biased towards that style of grapple (like your second link: Grapple Rakes | Faver) The reason being, I can use the bucket roll down to come down on top of things like brush or logs and clamp down on them just as effectively as the root grapples. But I can also slide the long bottom (horizontal) supports under things like large rocks and use the grapple to lock them in place. Then the entire weight of the rock is supported by the bottom of the grapple. You can't do that with a root grapple.

Island Tractor convinced me to get that style, and Missouri Pioneer sold me on the Wildkat. They were both dead right.

Have you considered the Wildkat? Many of us have them, and I haven't heard one person yet who wasn't absolutely thrilled with it.


HH

I will look at them as well.The econo 48 is priced at $900 which is not far from the 60 at $1095 from palletforks. Island tractor seems pretty knowledgeable on the subject so you probably made a good choice. What steel is the Wildcat made from?60" LW Root Grapple Bucket $1095.00 | Grapple Bucket Attachments | 60" LW Grapple Bucket | palletforks.com

 

[Singlemalt]

There was a post by First one on Jan 30, 2012 about this grapple.
(grapple not what they said)

In the end he seemed well satisfied. Try and PM him.

Purchased a pallet fork from palletforks.com. Fast shipping. Fast response to questions.

The carrier latch does work loose but strapping it down with a bungee cord solved the problem. I use it to move brush piles around and it happens when I roll the frame forward to dump the brush. The pallet fork frame at the mounting point slopes down so that the pins aren't engaging as tight as they do with the bucket. For me a minor issue as the quality for cost appears good weighed against my personal use.

Works well with my tractor but is a 'generic' pallet fork design for multiple tractors. Expect the grapple is the same.

 

[Hilltop Hillbilly]

I will look at them as well.The econo 48 is priced at $900 which is not far from the 60 at $1095 from palletforks.

I don't think anyone of us paid $900. Talk to Anita at Wildkat. She's very reasonable about negotiating. Mine was $550 plus $171 shipping to Upstate NY.

What steel is the Wildcat made from?60" LW Root Grapple Bucket $1095.00 | Grapple Bucket Attachments | 60" LW Grapple Bucket | palletforks.com

The Wildkat is A36 mild steel. I haven't bent mine, but I'm sure if you slam it around hard enough, you could bend some part of it with a good sized CUT (~40-50HP). But if you're reasonable with it, it should last a LONG time without problems.

The Wildkat design is really well done, with heavy gussets and bracing in the right places. I probably wouldn't use it on a skidsteer though, just because those machines are so much heavier and the arms are so much stronger. No matter what, if you do damage it, you can fix it with a torch or welder yourself for cheap.


HH

 

[Kytractor]

There was a post by First one on Jan 30, 2012 about this grapple.
(grapple not what they said)

In the end he seemed well satisfied. Try and PM him.

Purchased a pallet fork from palletforks.com. Fast shipping. Fast response to questions.

The carrier latch does work loose but strapping it down with a bungee cord solved the problem. I use it to move brush piles around and it happens when I roll the frame forward to dump the brush. The pallet fork frame at the mounting point slopes down so that the pins aren't engaging as tight as they do with the bucket. For me a minor issue as the quality for cost appears good weighed against my personal use.

Works well with my tractor but is a 'generic' pallet fork design for multiple tractors. Expect the grapple is the same.

Thanks for the thread info, very informative

Shane