Grapple Grapple and stump bucket recommendations for a Ford 4600 W/ 735 loader

[Andy4600]

Hi all,

I need to clean up several acres (20+) of 3 year old cutover. Regrowth is minimal and most stumps are showing some rot. I am considering getting a W.R. Long adaptor plate to convert my 735 loader to the Universal attachment system, and then pick up a couple of "useful" attachments. Tractor is a Ford 4600, which is 52 HP PTO, and about 60 HP engine.

First, I was considering getting some kind of stump bucket, something similar to W.R. Long's Tree Spade model TS, as shown here Tree Spade.

Would something like this put too much strain on the FEL? Would the TSL model be better than the TS for my tractor?

Second, do you have any recommendations for an appropriate Grapple for this tractor/loader combination. I don't want anything too big...nothing over 60". Not sure if a root rake grapple grapple, such as this: RBG would be better, or something like the Everything attachment Wicked grapples, with a more L shaped bottom would be better. Any suggestions?

 

[Andy4600]

By the way, I have looked at a lot of Grapple threads, but didn't find much of anything for an old tractor and old FEL.

 

[ddbackhoe]

By the way, I have looked at a lot of Grapple threads, but didn't find much of anything for an old tractor and old FEL.

Maybe everyone besides you and me have tractor money to burn? 4WD is a nice thing to have and multiple hyd. outlets, higher hyd. flow, etc....Yours may be just fine for what you're doing. Adding this kind of stuff is just a tad trickier.
By universal attachment system, I'm guessing you mean the skid-steer style stuff?
There is a difference in grapples. One is a flat bottom (bucket) and the other is a c-face (root rake). Either one is nice, between my brother and I we have both. The flat bottom is, IMO, better at moving large amounts of debris (less trips) but the c style will pick up and move 1300 pound hay bales. The c style is better at raking roots from the ground. The grapple can be run from a new hydraulic valve, a third function kit (curl or lift circuit) or long hoses from a rear remote.

The adapter could be had from a salvage yard. I found one and have been cutting, grinding and making it fit. Titan distributors has some too. http://www.titandistributorsinc.com/default/titan-attachments/quick-attach.html

 

[Andy4600]

Maybe everyone besides you and me have tractor money to burn? 4WD is a nice thing to have and multiple hyd. outlets, higher hyd. flow, etc....Yours may be just fine for what you're doing. Adding this kind of stuff is just a tad trickier.
By universal attachment system, I'm guessing you mean the skid-steer style stuff?
There is a difference in grapples. One is a flat bottom (bucket) and the other is a c-face (root rake). Either one is nice, between my brother and I we have both. The flat bottom is, IMO, better at moving large amounts of debris (less trips) but the c style will pick up and move 1300 pound hay bales. The c style is better at raking roots from the ground. The grapple can be run from a new hydraulic valve, a third function kit (curl or lift circuit) or long hoses from a rear remote.

The adapter could be had from a salvage yard. I found one and have been cutting, grinding and making it fit. Titan distributors has some too. http://www.titandistributorsinc.com/default/titan-attachments/quick-attach.html

Hydraulic wise, my FEL has all the flow I would need. It is an external pump and tank, with lots of umph. Pump is driven by a shaft driven from the front of the motor.

By universal attachment, yes I mean the Skidsteer Quick Attach. Actually, my FEL has some sort of quick attach system on it now, but it looks like it is something homemade, and not fully compatible with the SSQA system.

 

[farm boy00]

Not saying anything but if you did get a root grapple could you make a attachment that would slide on and make a platform out to become a regular grapple

 

[ovrszd]

I built and added a Grapple to a Bobcat LowPro 60" bucket. I like it as mentioned above because I can carry small debris. I've moved a LOT of dirt with it as well. The bucket is "toothed" so I can use it to scrape up brush and debris into a pile, then pick it up with the Grapple. A Grapple will make a lazy man out of ya. I highly recommend it.

I built a tree spade. I rarely use it. Built it out of a 30" long piece of 24" 1/2" walled pipe. Cut the pipe square off on one end. Cut at a 45 degree angle on the other end to create a spade shape. I thought it would be handy for removing small shrubs/stumps. And it was handy until I built a tree/post puller. Now anything that's too big for me to pull with the puller is usually too big also to be dug out with the tree spade.

So, guess what I'm saying is, definitely get a Grapple of some sort. Then second attachment should be a tree/post puller. Then you'll totally become lazy. But you'll get a lot of work done!!!

 

[930ck]

I built and added a Grapple to a Bobcat LowPro 60" bucket. I like it as mentioned above because I can carry small debris. I've moved a LOT of dirt with it as well. The bucket is "toothed" so I can use it to scrape up brush and debris into a pile, then pick it up with the Grapple. A Grapple will make a lazy man out of ya. I highly recommend it.

I built a tree spade. I rarely use it. Built it out of a 30" long piece of 24" 1/2" walled pipe. Cut the pipe square off on one end. Cut at a 45 degree angle on the other end to create a spade shape. I thought it would be handy for removing small shrubs/stumps. And it was handy until I built a tree/post puller. Now anything that's too big for me to pull with the puller is usually too big also to be dug out with the tree spade.

So, guess what I'm saying is, definitely get a Grapple of some sort. Then second attachment should be a tree/post puller. Then you'll totally become lazy. But you'll get a lot of work done!!!

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=418053"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=418054"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=418055"/>

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=418056"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=418057"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=418058"/>

Could you tell a little more about your tree puller. Was asking about tree puller on a different thread but saw this one. What type and size of trees is it capable of, thanks

 

[RichardGD]

Since you're in VA, you may want to take a drive down to Denton, NC to my favorite implement manufacturer to pick up a grapple. I have never seen any better prices. This is the Grapple I have.

Skid Steer Extreme Root Grapple

 

[Deerherd]

Hi all,

I need to clean up several acres (20+) of 3 year old cutover. Regrowth is minimal and most stumps are showing some rot. I am considering getting a W.R. Long adaptor plate to convert my 735 loader to the Universal attachment system, and then pick up a couple of "useful" attachments. Tractor is a Ford 4600, which is 52 HP PTO, and about 60 HP engine.

First, I was considering getting some kind of stump bucket, something similar to W.R. Long's Tree Spade model TS, as shown here Tree Spade.

Would something like this put too much strain on the FEL? Would the TSL model be better than the TS for my tractor?

Second, do you have any recommendations for an appropriate Grapple for this tractor/loader combination. I don't want anything too big...nothing over 60". Not sure if a root rake grapple grapple, such as this: RBG would be better, or something like the Everything attachment Wicked grapples, with a more L shaped bottom would be better. Any suggestions?

I have that RBG WR Long grapple in the dual lid version and like it a lot. It is a heavy duty grapple so make sure you have enough FEL lift to make it a viable option.

I also have a Titan stump bucket that works pretty well. If you search it you can find a video I did digging out a stump. Works better since I added a front camera and I can see the front of the bucket. It might be perfectly suited for the size trees you are wanting to remove.

 

[Andy4600]

I have that RBG WR Long grapple in the dual lid version and like it a lot. It is a heavy duty grapple so make sure you have enough FEL lift to make it a viable option.

I also have a Titan stump bucket that works pretty well. If you search it you can find a video I did digging out a stump. Works better since I added a front camera and I can see the front of the bucket. It might be perfectly suited for the size trees you are wanting to remove.

View attachment 418109

View attachment 418111

Deerherd, I found the video and that was great. What HP is your tractor? It looks about the same size as mine, just a lot newer and a 4x4. Have you had any issues at all with the Titan stump bucket? I read somewhere that the Titan products were made in China with low quality steel. I'm not sure of the truth in that, and thought I'd ask. Most of the stumps I am looking at are in the 10 to 14 inch range, with a few bigger. Mix of hardwood (oak, poplar, hickory) and pine. They have rotted back some, or I wouldn't even consider a FEL to try and get them out.