Grapple Which type of grapple is best suited for...

[Dingo Man]

My experience with Wildkat is the same. Just to test it out, I smacked the top support tube with a 2# sled hammer - no dents - The 1/8" steel would have dented. They are using 1/4" steel tubing in the top support now.

Well their employees should get their stories straight because they lost my sale when they told me they have not changed their design or materials used. I would have gave them a chance but I am also not second guessing my decision to go with the NAI grapple either. I still think they are both comparable I just do not have the time or patience to deal with the possible glitches that have been related to the Wildkat.

 

[madmax12]

I don't know if this is of interest, but came across it on craigslist:

Skidsteer / Tractor Log-Firewood-Brush Grapple

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't know if this is of interest, but came across it on craigslist:

Skidsteer / Tractor Log-Firewood-Brush Grapple

Useful only for moving whole logs. A one trick pony.

 

[TomSeller]

I went with the NAI 48" Light Duty Root Grapple.

My main decision factors were:
> Tractor is a Kubota L3540 w/ bigger loader (i.e. not too big)
> Maximize lifting capacity for moving logs
> Decent design & build quality
> Reasonable Price

It was $820 plus shipping (which was a decent chunk to Calif). I don't recall the weight, but it's one of the lightest. It has greaseable pins for all of the pivots.

I first used it to move brush to the burn pile and it worked great. I have also used it to move large oak logs and it lifts more than I expected. Like all other grapple owners, I'm very happy with it. :thumbsup:

Anyone know much about this unit of theirs? Looks stout but they are skimpy on the dimensional info. Weight in 1/2" and 5/8"? Opening dimension? Standard SSQA?

http://www.northamericanimplements.com/implements/north-american-grapple.html

 

[IslandTractor]

Anyone know much about this unit of theirs? Looks stout but they are skimpy on the dimensional info. Weight in 1/2 and 4/5"? Opening dimension? Standard SSQA?

North American Grapple - NAI

I agree they have a crappy website full of photos but missing critical data like max jaw opening and implement weight. They also seem to focus on A36 steel and 1/2 or even 5/8 inch tines which are all overkill for CUT grapples. "A36" is simply what most of us know as common, garden variety, mild steel. 3/8" mild steel is perfectly adequate. To be fair, their "light duty root grapple" is 3/8" mild steel however the short back of the grapple probably translates into a relatively small max jaw opening. I wouldn't worry about the structural strength or weight (probably 350-375lbs) of their light duty grapple but the jaw opening is a question.

 

[Dingo Man]

I agree they have a crappy website full of photos but missing critical data like max jaw opening and implement weight. They also seem to focus on A36 steel and 1/2 or even 5/8 inch tines which are all overkill for CUT grapples. "A36" is simply what most of us know as common, garden variety, mild steel. 3/8" mild steel is perfectly adequate. To be fair, their "light duty root grapple" is 3/8" mild steel however the short back of the grapple probably translates into a relatively small max jaw opening. I wouldn't worry about the structural strength or weight (probably 350-375lbs) of their light duty grapple but the jaw opening is a question.

The one I just order (their LD root grapple) has a 38 to 40 inch opening.

 

[IslandTractor]

The one I just order (their LD root grapple) has a 38 to 40 inch opening.

That is about what I thought. Basic geometry. If you notice their grapple has a relatively short back compared to some others. My grapple has an opening of about 46" but the back of the grapple is taller too. 38-40 is probably fine but I wouldn't want anything less than that.

 

[Xfaxman]

Here is a tall back, 50" opening rake style grapple. Anybody have one?



Precision Manufacturing :: Tree & Brush Removal Equipment

 

[TomSeller]

That is about what I thought. Basic geometry. If you notice their grapple has a relatively short back compared to some others. My grapple has an opening of about 46" but the back of the grapple is taller too. 38-40 is probably fine but I wouldn't want anything less than that.

Dang Millonzi for going out of business. No one seems to have the large opening in an L grapple you have other than WR Long which seems a little high priced.

 

[TomSeller]

Here is a tall back, 50" opening rake style grapple. Anybody have one?

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=315927"/>

Precision Manufacturing :: Tree & Brush Removal Equipment

I have not seen this one before. Now that has some serious opening dimensions! Too bad it is a rake grapple. I wonder why they don't have L grapples. They do have large lower tines however.

 

[IslandTractor]

Dang Millonzi for going out of business. No one seems to have the large opening in an L grapple you have other than WR Long which seems a little high priced.

I suspect Millionzi copied the WRLong or made just a few modifications. Very simple design but effective.

 

[mangus580]

Here is a pic of my Titan fully open. I just finished plumbing everything up, and have had about 10 minutes of play time before we had to leave. I can see that it definitely has a learning curve!

So far, my biggest complaint with it, is the hydraulic fittings are non standard. Including the hoses. I ended up buying new hoses, and was lucky the fit the cylinder without leaking. Cost me $70 for the new hoses!

Still trying to decide exactly where I want to mount the button for my diverter valve.

 

[Dingo Man]

Dang Millonzi for going out of business. No one seems to have the large opening in an L grapple you have other than WR Long which seems a little high priced.

I agree.

 

[TomSeller]

So far, my biggest complaint with it, is the hydraulic fittings are non standard. Including the hoses. I ended up buying new hoses, and was lucky the fit the cylinder without leaking. Cost me $70 for the new hoses!
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.??? I have a Titan rake grapple and all I did was change the ends to Ag fittings. Hoses were 1/2" pipe thread

 

[mangus580]

.??? I have a Titan rake grapple and all I did was change the ends to Ag fittings. Hoses were 1/2" pipe thread

I think my failure came because I was trying to use 3/8" fittings. Seems they adapted a 1/4" straight thread (british fitting??) up to 1/2" NPT, then tossed on the the flat faced couplers.

This was on top of using a non-standard hose, as my first thought was, lets cut the hoses and put standard fittings on one end.

FAIL!

Oh well, in the end, I now have standard hoses and fittings. Just frustrated, I dont see how they may have saved $$ by going this route. Heck, the flat faced fittings are PRICEY. I guess add this to the shipping hangups that happened to me, and it just left me with a sour taste. Mind you, in their defense, I have not spoke with them about any of this really. I am just rolling with it.


The actual grapple itself seems to be great. It fits the SSQA perfectly. Opens and closes as designed. I have not gotten the open measurement, but as you can see in the pic I posted, it would be difficult to really determine what measurement to really go with.

I hope to get more time with it tomorrow, and learn some more.

 

[IslandTractor]

I think my failure came because I was trying to use 3/8" fittings. Seems they adapted a 1/4" straight thread (british fitting??) up to 1/2" NPT, then tossed on the the flat faced couplers.

This was on top of using a non-standard hose, as my first thought was, lets cut the hoses and put standard fittings on one end.

FAIL!

Oh well, in the end, I now have standard hoses and fittings. Just frustrated, I dont see how they may have saved $$ by going this route. Heck, the flat faced fittings are PRICEY. I guess add this to the shipping hangups that happened to me, and it just left me with a sour taste. Mind you, in their defense, I have not spoke with them about any of this really. I am just rolling with it.


The actual grapple itself seems to be great. It fits the SSQA perfectly. Opens and closes as designed. I have not gotten the open measurement, but as you can see in the pic I posted, it would be difficult to really determine what measurement to really go with.

I hope to get more time with it tomorrow, and learn some more.

Be careful, there are also JIC type fittings used especially at the grapple arm ram. Those are tricky buggers as you only tighten them just barely beyond finger tight or else you end up getting some new ones made up. Ask me how I know. Very different than SAE/NPT type fittings where wrenching it tight is expected.

To measure max opening, I just take a tape measure and go from the tip of the lower tine that is in line with one of the upper tines and use the distance between them when the upper arm is fully open.

 

[TSO]

Start using that thing Mangus! LOL... I need some new reviews. I'm not thrilled about the issues you're running into already tho :confused3:

 

[mangus580]

TSO - keep in mind, my problems are somewhat self induced... Had I gone with 1/2" couplers, I would have probably never had an issue. My shipping issues were 2 fold - and only really important because I get twitchy and want everything 3 days ago It shippped a day late due to a mixup on paperwork. Then I called Fedex Freight to find out when to expect it, and it was to be delayed a day because they requested a lift gate at delivery (which I didnt need). Fedex tried to call me, but my phone # was a digit off on the BOL. Not really a problem - it would have been fine, other than the fact I had taken tuesday off with the plans of meeting the truck. I ended up running to the terminal to get it. It wouldnt stop me from ordering from them again (honestly neither would the hose issue - just would be nice if they TOLD you ahead of time)

I hope to get some hours on it tomorrow, we shall see.

 

[TomSeller]

NorthAmericanImplements (NAI) says this grapple has dimensions of:

Weight is 485 Opening 35
40 " Deep 33 " tall 4 Tines Tines are 9" apart

It only has a 35" opening, another ankle biter.

 

[IslandTractor]

NorthAmericanImplements (NAI) says this grapple has dimensions of:

Weight is 485 Opening 35
40 " Deep 33 " tall 4 Tines Tines are 9" apart

It only has a 35" opening, another ankle biter.

Looking at the photo of the NAI grapple, it is easy to see why the opening is only 35". They use the same 4x4 framework for both the grapple AND the SSQA receiver. That means the height of the grapple is limited by the dimensions of the SSQA standard. On my Millonzi, the 4x4 top beam is mounted above the SSQA and that adds at least 4 inches (possibly more) to the grapple height and even more to the opening.