Need help deciding on a grapple

[BGigHarbor]

Im no expert, but unless you have a lot of continuous flow in a system, 3/8 work okay at flows less than 8 or 9 gpm. Heat difference is often not that big a deal.

Where the hose size IS a big deal is with portable hydraulic tools and their return side seals. For example, I run hydraulic chainsaws which are rated at a max of 200-240 psi on the return side (depending on brand). Any more and it blows the tool seal.

So depending on length of return side hose and temp, I sometimes have to run a half inch hose on the return side to keep the pressure low enough at the tool (return side).

That is why Stanley and other makers of hydraulic motored tools recommend 3/4 hose on the return side. For me that simply is not practical and I just always make sure I am below max pressure return side by turning down flow rate until fluid is of sufficient temp.

Also I've determine (from measuring) that connector size has alot to do with pressure drop. For example a 3/8 FF connector pair (even with a female 1/2 npt) have a lot more drop than a real 1/2 inch connector pair. Much more compact though.

 

[jcummins]

That looks just about perfect. I like the extra spacers. Any idea what the cost is?

I don't recall what I paid....it wasn't "expensive" relative to others. I've already call NAI, and their base price is a little over $1000....but I don't know what they are going to charge for the 1/2" steel or the spacers. But after the first of the year (money issues in retirement)...I'm buying THAT, built that way. And of course, shipping will be added.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I don't recall what I paid....it wasn't "expensive" relative to others. I've already call NAI, and their base price is a little over $1000....but I don't know what they are going to charge for the 1/2" steel or the spacers. But after the first of the year (money issues in retirement)...I'm buying THAT, built that way. And of course, shipping will be added.

I will be very interested in following your progress on ordering and using that grapple. My stump grapple will do fine for now, but I already feel the temptation to get a grapple like that NAI.

I bought the stumpe grapple to be able to serve the dual purpose of digging out roots and uprooting cedar trees and then hauling them off. But I now have a backhoe for the root digging and would prefer a grapple like the NAI.

 

[Piston]

I wanna saw that adding tines as spacers to my grapple when I ordered it a few years ago would have cost me 54 dollars.

 

[94BULLITT]

I just don't see the need for one to open wider than this:

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If it opened wider, the lid would have to be taller and the bottom tines would have to extend out further from the tractor, which would extend the tractor's center of gravity and lessen the lift capacity.
This would be a disadvantage, especially when pinching logs or heavy debris with a small compact tractor.......maybe not so much with a larger tractor.

The longer tines also reduce the breakout force.

Good points but lift capacity would only be an issue for smaller tractors. A bigger version of your Light Duty for 40+HP CUTs would not suffer. My 48 Millonzi has a 46" opening which is useful for collecting brush and also for big stumps. Maybe use 3/8 mild or high strength steel but keep the single wide lid and the removable slats.

So lift capacity is not a issue since your grapple tines are longer but you tell everyone to get a light duty grapple that weighs less so they can lift more?????????????????????

 

[TomSeller]

As I see it there is not a "best grapple", there are different grapples for different uses, different sized tractors and different owner preferences. It is nice to have choices.

 

[IslandTractor]

The longer tines also reduce the breakout force.

So lift capacity is not a issue since your grapple tines are longer but you tell everyone to get a light duty grapple that weighs less so they can lift more?????????????????????

Do the math. Extending the tines about six inches adds maybe 50 lbs. Maybe an issue for a Kubota B series or BX with lift capacity of much less than 1000 lbs but not an issue for a larger CUT.

Also, breakout force at the tip might be less but we generally stick the grapple tines under something like a root and then push forward so the root is actually closer to the back of the grapple before curling. In that situation the breakout would be the same. Only the very tip will have reduced force compared to a shorter grapple. If that extra six inches gives you greater reach and opening width it may well be worth the trade off.

My grapple has long bottom tines so that is what I am used to. I would only want shorter if I had a much smaller loader. The loader on my CK20 with 1070lb lift had no trouble. My DK with over 2700lbs lift certainly has no issue.

So, unless my tractor had less than 1000 lb lift capacity, I would still accept the minor lift and breakout penalties as fair trade for wider opening.

 

[Piston]

Do the math. Extending the tines about six inches adds maybe 50 lbs. Maybe an issue for a Kubota B series or BX with lift capacity of much less than 1000 lbs but not an issue for a larger CUT.

Also, breakout force at the tip might be less but we generally stick the grapple tines under something like a root and then push forward so the root is actually closer to the back of the grapple before curling. In that situation the breakout would be the same. Only the very tip will have reduced force compared to a shorter grapple. If that extra six inches gives you greater reach and opening width it may well be worth the trade off.

My grapple has long bottom tines so that is what I am used to. I would only want shorter if I had a much smaller loader. The loader on my CK20 with 1070lb lift had no trouble. My DK with over 2700lbs lift certainly has no issue.

So, unless my tractor had less than 1000 lb lift capacity, I would still accept the minor lift and breakout penalties as fair trade for wider opening.

Your starting to come around .

I can barely believe my eyes reading that you are admitting the small amount of additional weight of a larger grapple doesn't cause an issue.

 

[IslandTractor]

Your starting to come around .

I can barely believe my eyes reading that you are admitting the small amount of additional weight of a larger grapple doesn't cause an issue.

I don't recall saying that a small amount of weight is critical. 50lbs or so extra is certainly no biggie for anything but a BX or something like it. My crusade is against 600+ lb grapples for CUTs and expensive wide or claw style grapples for routine work. I argue those points strongly because the bigger is better attitude (which we are all guilty of to varying degrees), combined with dealers who either don't know CUTs are different than skid steers, or manufacturers who up sell, all combine to drive prospective grapple owners to spend more than they need for grapple types that are not as useful as smaller cheaper grapples.

 

[shibaura_4043]

My grapple came in yesterday... I am really impressed with the packaging and how fast they shipped it... I ended up ordering 1/2" jic hoses and QDs at the loader and at the torque tube... UPS says it will be delivered by Thursday... Ill post pics of the install process and more importantly a few action pics when I'm done? Thanks to all who offered advice and helped me make my decision!!