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

   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #331  
I finally got the North American Implements 48" LD grapple up and running and had sometime to use it a little this weekend. I have not seen anyone with these on here so I have posted some pics. The grapple along with the WR Long 3rd function valve works flawlessly and IMHO is the only way to go when purchasing a grapple. I measured the opening at 36". I know alot of you are "big mouth" fans and will not care for the meager 36" mouth on this unit. But to be honest for what I do around the house it is more than enough. I noted that these grapples definately feel a little different than having the bucket on the front. The weight difference on front takes some getting use to and having added counter weight in the rear is a big help. I can not imagine what a douple HD grapple would feel like on this tractor (DK40HST).

I hope the photos are enough for our resident engineers and grapple experts to look at and break down the pros and cons of the design. I think it is built very well and they were a very good company to deal with. Just a reminder NAI's normal LD grapple only comes with 5 lower tines. I requested two additional tines be added to mine which they gladly added for $20 a tine. The hinge pins have grease fittings which are probably not needed but nice to have. So far my only complaint is I wich the design allowed the mouth to close further so I could pinch down on single logs.

View attachment 322023View attachment 322024View attachment 322025

Looks good to me. I don't understand your complaint of not being able to "pinch down on single logs". It doesn't have to be clamped tight to carry it, just pick it up near the center of the log.
 
   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #332  
I'm a little lost?

It looks like on their site that the LD Grapple already has 7 tines and a 38"+ opening? Why did yours come with 5 tines and need to add 2?

Light Duty Root Grapple - NAI
 
   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #333  
Looks like a very well made grapple. I like the proportion of the top width and the simple but very effective cylinder guard. I too would have opted for the extra lower tines. $20 each is a deal as the steel cost that much alone. I did note that the bottom tines are not evenly spaced and wonder why. It certainly was intentional as the welding and fitment appear excellent. I cannot see from the photos but presume there is some structure that prevented a uniform sevenish inch spacing.

I've not used a grapple with 36" opening. It certainly doesn't affect anything other than corralling big loose piles of brush. I would think the trade off gives the 36" opening style a bit more resistance to having the upper arm twist when under heavy load. However, I still don't quite understand exactly what it is about the geometry of upper arm shape, length, hinge height, cylinder size and position that determines max opening. My grapple looks basically the same but opens to 46". Where is Euclides when you need him?

.........

I also noticed the spacing, the two that are off, are lined up with the outside edge of the top hinge. Must have something to do with the jig that holds it for welding.

I am not Euclides or even Greek, but the main factor in opening height is, the size of the back.

Dingo Man. NAI
IMG_20130609_144817_166.jpg

Yours
865998-IMG_2876 (600 x 450).jpg

Mine
P5240010.jpg

Notice the height of the hinge above the SSQA plate
P6060019.jpg

The secondary factor is the depth of the opening. The deeper it is, makes the top tines longer. so they stick up higher when open.
8cee_1 (Large).JPG P5240019.JPG
 
   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #334  
I also noticed the spacing, the two that are off, are lined up with the outside edge of the top hinge. Must have something to do with the jig that holds it for welding.

I am not Euclides or even Greek, but the main factor in opening height is, the size of the back.

I think you are correct. Certainly your grapple has a very tall back. I had originally thought it was back height too but then when I looked at my own I saw that there was only the 4" square tube plus the height of the hinge above my QA attachment plate. That just didn't seem to explain the 10" difference in opening. However, as you note, the length of the bottom tines and the length of the top grapple tines is also a factor so maybe all combined result in the bigger opening.

You win the Geometry Award of the Day.
 
   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #335  
Dont think the spacing is that bad.. left to right, its #2 and#6 that seem to be closer to the outsides. For strength on the outsides maybe?
 
   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #336  
That is a good looking Grapple. Do you happen to know how much it weighs? I looked on their website but couldn't find that information.

Some in action pics would be nice.:thumbsup:

I forgot to ask about weight. I am guessing between 4 and 5 hundred. If it ever stops raining here I will try and get some action shots.

Island Tractor, I think one of the biggest differences in the openings of the various grapples is the height of the top tube. I noticed yours is a lot taller from the lower tines to the top tube. I will look at the spacing of the bottom tines to see why they are not evenly spaced, to be honest I did not notice. For the record my wife is partial to the "little rocker button":eek:
 
   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #337  
I'm a little lost?

It looks like on their site that the LD Grapple already has 7 tines and a 38"+ opening? Why did yours come with 5 tines and need to add 2?

Light Duty Root Grapple - NAI

Yep that confused me too. The grapple shown on their website for the LD 48 grapple is actually their 60". I told them they should change that. I wonder how many people ordered a 48" and were disappointed when it came with 5 tines.
 
   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #338  
Yep that confused me too. The grapple shown on their website for the LD 48 grapple is actually their 60". I told them they should change that. I wonder how many people ordered a 48" and were disappointed when it came with 5 tines.

Ya, definitely need to change that to at least mention it..
 
   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #339  
In most cases the larger the opening the grapple has the longer the bottom tines will be and that will reduce your breakout force when grubbing roots and stumps.
 
   / Which type of grapple is best suited for... #340  
We are making progress on our single lid Wicked Grapple. I started a new thread about it here.
It should be ready for testing next week and available to purchase soon after that.

Here's an image from engineering:

Capture.JPG
 
 

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