Landpride grapple for SCUT?

[CHDinCT]

So, last time I posted here on the installation of my Landpride grapple was February 11th and I had just received my missing male quick connects that mount on top of the 3rd function valve. Had a few more issues after that. First being that the FEL control knob mounted switch didn't work. After checking all my connections twice and being 99% sure the issue was in the switch or wire running to it, I called the selling dealer (Chapel Tractor) and requested a replacement under warranty. LP sent out a new one in about a week, and that one worked fine once I wired it up. Finally had a functioning grapple. I guess this was late Feb/early March and I still couldn't use the grapple due to weather issues.

I did finally get to try it out maybe a month ago, and found out I had a loose fitting where the hoses that route out to the grapple T-off to each cylinder. When I clamped down hard on a pile of brush, I saw a stream of SUDT2 shooting out of the fitting. As it turned out, I was just about to do my 400 hour service which requires a change in HST fluid anyway, so I parked it in the garage for the time being. After tightening the fitting and completing the 400 hour service, I FINALLY had a fully functioning, leak free grapple to use. Since then I've been putting it to good use moving brush I had piled up since last fall to where I was chipping, and cleaning up and moving firewood from a good size, storm-damaged oak I just took down.

It was like a dream moving the big oak rounds. Drive up to the round(s), clamp, curl and go. Much better than having to drive up, get off the tractor, and roll them into the bucket to move them. Anyway, here's a few pic's of the grapple in "action". Despite my tribulations, I'd recommend this grapple for any late model BX owners. It's a good match to the tractor and the only one (I know of) that works with the Kubota OEM FEL quick attach option. Oh yeah, makes a good match to the backhoe with mechanical thumb too!

 

[k0ua]

So, last time I posted here on the installation of my Landpride grapple was February 11th and I had just received my missing male quick connects that mount on top of the 3rd function valve. Had a few more issues after that. First being that the FEL control knob mounted switch didn't work. After checking all my connections twice and being 99% sure the issue was in the switch or wire running to it, I called the selling dealer (Chapel Tractor) and requested a replacement under warranty. LP sent out a new one in about a week, and that one worked fine once I wired it up. Finally had a functioning grapple. I guess this was late Feb/early March and I still couldn't use the grapple due to weather issues.

I did finally get to try it out maybe a month ago, and found out I had a loose fitting where the hoses that route out to the grapple T-off to each cylinder. When I clamped down hard on a pile of brush, I saw a stream of SUDT2 shooting out of the fitting. As it turned out, I was just about to do my 400 hour service which requires a change in HST fluid anyway, so I parked it in the garage for the time being. After tightening the fitting and completing the 400 hour service, I FINALLY had a fully functioning, leak free grapple to use. Since then I've been putting it to good use moving brush I had piled up since last fall to where I was chipping, and cleaning up and moving firewood from a good size, storm-damaged oak I just took down.

It was like a dream moving the big oak rounds. Drive up to the round(s), clamp, curl and go. Much better than having to drive up, get off the tractor, and roll them into the bucket to move them. Anyway, here's a few pic's of the grapple in "action". Despite my tribulations, I'd recommend this grapple for any late model BX owners. It's a good match to the tractor and the only one (I know of) that works with the Kubota OEM FEL quick attach option. Oh yeah, makes a good match to the backhoe with mechanical thumb too!

That is quite a "bug" you got there, it has "pincers" on both ends!
I am glad you got the kinks worked out and getting some good use out of it.:thumbsup:

 

[lowellw2]

So, last time I posted here on the installation of my Landpride grapple was February 11th and I had just received my missing male quick connects that mount on top of the 3rd function valve. Had a few more issues after that. First being that the FEL control knob mounted switch didn't work. After checking all my connections twice and being 99% sure the issue was in the switch or wire running to it, I called the selling dealer (Chapel Tractor) and requested a replacement under warranty. LP sent out a new one in about a week, and that one worked fine once I wired it up. Finally had a functioning grapple. I guess this was late Feb/early March and I still couldn't use the grapple due to weather issues. I did finally get to try it out maybe a month ago, and found out I had a loose fitting where the hoses that route out to the grapple T-off to each cylinder. When I clamped down hard on a pile of brush, I saw a stream of SUDT2 shooting out of the fitting. As it turned out, I was just about to do my 400 hour service which requires a change in HST fluid anyway, so I parked it in the garage for the time being. After tightening the fitting and completing the 400 hour service, I FINALLY had a fully functioning, leak free grapple to use. Since then I've been putting it to good use moving brush I had piled up since last fall to where I was chipping, and cleaning up and moving firewood from a good size, storm-damaged oak I just took down. It was like a dream moving the big oak rounds. Drive up to the round(s), clamp, curl and go. Much better than having to drive up, get off the tractor, and roll them into the bucket to move them. Anyway, here's a few pic's of the grapple in "action". Despite my tribulations, I'd recommend this grapple for any late model BX owners. It's a good match to the tractor and the only one (I know of) that works with the Kubota OEM FEL quick attach option. Oh yeah, makes a good match to the backhoe with mechanical thumb too!

Congratulations CHDinCT. Glad you finally got everything working. You definitely faced some some frustrating hurdles, but these LP grapples are really fantastic additions to the BX for moving brush, limbs, trunks and anything else you can get in their grip. I finally took your advice (I think it was from you) and added on the Kubota quick attach. It sure makes it easier to change back to the bucket when needed. I'm thinking of making a carrier with casters for storage of the grapple and to make attachment even easier. A little bit of angle iron and casters would work but I'd need to learn to weld first. I guess 2x wood will have to suffice. How do you like that Wallenstein BX42 chipper? I could sure use a chipper as burn piles make me a little nervous nowadays.

 

[CHDinCT]

but I'd need to learn to weld first.

Go for it. I never welded until after joining here and seeing that just about everyone does. Got some help on choosing a welder from a fellow TBN'r around the corner. Bought a Hobart 140 amp Mig/Flux Core welder. I just use flux core wire since I don't have gas yet, and may never get gas. Also, since I don't have 220 volts in my garage, I stayed with a 115 volt, 20-amp model.

 

[CHDinCT]

How do you like that Wallenstein BX42 chipper? I could sure use a chipper as burn piles make me a little nervous nowadays.

Oops - forgot to answer your chipper question. I like the BX42 very much - well made - and my BX25 runs it pretty good up to 3"-3.5" material. Anything above that is firewood for me. But, if I were to do it again, I think I'd spring for the BXM32 chipper/shredder. The toughest part of chipping without hydraulic feed is getting those wispy, tooth-pick sized limb ends to go through the chipper. They have no weight so you have to push them through most of the time, and then they come out as 3"-8" sticks since they're so thin. With the shredder, you just throw the small stuff into it and be done with it.

 

[dragoneggs]

Looking great Chris... my big pile of brush is begging for a grapple and chipper but funds are going other directions lately. Thanks for updating! Are you having to be careful to evenly spread load the grapple so you don't tweak it? Or is it pretty forgiving when you clamp down?

 

[lowellw2]

I'll take a look at the BXM32. Your comments are greatly appreciated. I have a lot of small stuff and the shredder option would probably be helpful. My neighbor has a B7800 so its extra HP might also be helpful on big limbs. I'm slowly assembling some pretty good sized piles of "organic" material with the grapple and will eventually have to chip/shred them up. Most of it is oak and cedar and it seems to make a pretty good mulch for what i have growing or rather what I try to grow. I just saw a dolly 4Shorts made (one evening!) and it looks like what I envisioned except he used aluminum and that would require gas I guess. I have another neighbor that has a Hobart 140 with maybe 45 minutes use. I bet I might be able to use it if I ask right. When I ordered my LP grapple the dealer got 3. I'm going to see if the other 2 are gone now. My bet is yes as they seem to be a near perfect addition to the BX.

 

[CHDinCT]

Looking great Chris... my big pile of brush is begging for a grapple and chipper but funds are going other directions lately. Thanks for updating! Are you having to be careful to evenly spread load the grapple so you don't tweak it? Or is it pretty forgiving when you clamp down?

Dragoneggs, So far, everything I've used the grapple for has been loose material, so I haven't done any real ground engaging with it. As far as being careful with the loose stuff, no, I just get as much as I can into the jaws and clamp until I about pop the relieve valve. Might be overdoing it, but you won't know how well stuff is caught in the grapple until you start raising it up and hit a few bumps while transporting it. So, I go for max grip about all the time.

I will say that with the 30"+ oak rounds I bucked up, I did attempt to center them as much as possible to avoid tweaking it. I do recall seeing one off center and that the grapple jaw was closed more on the "looser" side, which concerned me, but after I dropped the load, it came back into normal position just fine. I'm sure you could find a way to damage it if you try, but for normal, everyday use, the LP grapple should work just fine.

 

[4shorts]

I'll take a look at the BXM32. I have a lot of small stuff and the shredder option would probably be helpful.

You'll love the BXM32. Great reliable unit and the combination chipper/shredder is fantastic.

 

[davrow]

Dang, 4shorts! I hadn't seen your BXM32 cart/toolbox/cutters mod yet! That's real nice. :thumbsup: