WICKED Utility Grapple!!!

[IslandTractor]

Ok, for my wish list, a 200 lb. grapple with 60" opening?

I have an 84" BD grapple with 34" opening and 900+ lbs. so, just as well shoot for the stars!


View attachment 449697

In all seriousness, my second grapple, for 46 HP LS tractor, will be used exclusively for limbs from trimming trees, brush, i.e. light loads. I want large opening to grab as much as possible. Don't give a rats ***** about heavy as, I have above big grapple on a 100 HP tractor, for trees, etc.

I think the new 55" utility grapple is best, I have found so far, to meet my needs.

The new chart is excellent but, I hope new, 1st grapple customers, will take advantage of visiting with the EA guys, on the phone, before making a final grapple selection?

My 2cents worth.


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At 10 inches wide it might be possible!

 

[lostcreekranch]

At 10 inches wide it might be possible!

IT;

Maybe a "bit" wider?

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[IslandTractor]

IT;

Maybe a "bit" wider?

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Maybe wider but given that at 10" or so with a 60" jaw opening, it likely has only two tines and they'd have to be pretty strong. Maybe 1/2". Plus the lid and mount. Pretty heavy. Interesting design exercise for an engineering student.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Maybe wider but given that at 10" or so with a 60" jaw opening, it likely has only two tines and they'd have to be pretty strong. Maybe 1/2". Plus the lid and mount. Pretty heavy. Interesting design exercise for an engineering student.

IT;

You do know that my 200 lb X 60" opening was said / typed tongue in cheek?

As stated, my requirement for a second grapple are light weight for light lads and a large jaw opening for bigger bites at limb / brush piles.

So, is there anything I between my facetious 200 lb. X 60" opening and the EA WUG 600+ lb. X 42.5" opening? No, a clam shell type is not what I'm looking for.

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[IslandTractor]

IT;

You do know that my 200 lb X 60" opening was said / typed tongue in cheek?

As stated, my requirement for a second grapple are light weight for light lads and a large jaw opening for bigger bites at limb / brush piles.

So, is there anything I between my facetious 200 lb. X 60" opening and the EA WUG 600+ lb. X 42.5" opening? No, a clam shell type is not what I'm looking for.

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Oh yeah, but it is an interesting design challenge. :thumbsup: There actually are some very narrow light duty grapples. Check out this one: Grapple Modular. You can start with a narrow version and then add wings.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Oh yeah, but it is an interesting design challenge. :thumbsup: There actually are some very narrow light duty grapples. Check out this one: Grapple Modular. You can start with a narrow version and then add wings.

That pretty interesting. May have to give it a study. At first blush it may be too light.

Thanks

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[IslandTractor]

That pretty interesting. May have to give it a study. At first blush it may be too light. Thanks Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Yes, I agree. Although I am a big fan of light grapples, they still need to be pretty tough unless being mounted on a SCUT. The modular design is interesting though as it can be an ideal narrow stump digger and then by bolting on wings you could go collect brush piles.

 

[streamin]

Ive been following this thread as I will be buying one this summer, if all goes good. Very good points made by islandtractor. I do agree there are confusing terminology and in my case I am not sure what to classify my tractor as now. at 50 hp but much heavier than the competitors, which one will work better? those pictures help a lot on the comparison. So does 300lbs make that much difference? I'm thinking about grabbing logs to build a cabin so the weight of the tree can be high. So would I opt for lifting a bit heavier log but bending a lighter grapple? Less tree but no damage to grapple?

 

[IslandTractor]

You will NEVER bend a grapple by lifting a tree properly balanced in the jaws. Look at the amount of structural steel in even a light duty grapple compared to a standard bucket. Grapples can lift anything your loader has the power to lift.

Grapples are damaged by twisting or ramming. You can twist a grapple while carrying a long tree and running one side into an obstacle. You can twist it by trying to lift without centering the load. Likewise you can hurt a grapple by ramming one side into a tree or other big object.

Basically, it takes momentum and a heavy tractor combined with an off center force on a grapple to hurt it. No loader on any CUT is strong enough to bust even a light duty grapple.

That's why I keep harping on the greater importance of tractor weight over horsepower when selecting a grapple. A 45hp utility tractor weighing 5000-6000 lbs or even more with ballast, will be tougher on a grapple than a 60 hp tractor weighing in at 4000 lbs.

 

[4570Man]

Unless grapple was grossly undersized you can't damage it using only the loader hydraulics. My grapple is bent in several places, but not from lifting. If you get a good sized stick between the tines it will act like a lever and bend any cut grapple.

 

[lostcreekranch]

My 84" BD Grapple is about HD as they come but I did manage to bend one lid when I picked up a very heavy dead tree. Top of the tree broke right under the lid and the uplift force of the overhung load was against the outside end of the lid. Grapple still functions well, just looks a bit strange.



You can see that the right side of right lid is bent upwards an inch or two.

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[lostcreekranch]

I have picked up dead trees so heavy that I could barely get them off the ground and could not curl the grapple up at all.

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[IslandTractor]

My 84" BD Grapple is about HD as they come but I did manage to bend one lid when I picked up a very heavy dead tree. Top of the tree broke right under the lid and the uplift force of the overhung load was against the outside end of the lid. Grapple still functions well, just looks a bit strange.

View attachment 449774

You can see that the right side of right lid is bent upwards an inch or two.

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Any grapple that is absolutely straight and true just hasn't been used much. Mine is a bit snaggled toothed too. Works fine.

We don't get upset when our bush hogs develop dents that don't affect function. I feel the same way about grapples.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Any grapple that is absolutely straight and true just hasn't been used much. Mine is a bit snaggled toothed too. Works fine. We don't get upset when our bush hogs develop dents that don't affect function. I feel the same way about grapples.

Yep, my big grapple is my favorite toy, I mean tool. It has not been treated with kid gloves. I think it has only been off the big tractor once when I put on pallet forks to unload my Woods 84" rear grader right before I picked up my 46 hp tractor in November 2014.

That's why I want one for my 46 hp tractor.

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[EverythingAttachments]

Where's the little one? We need to see a family photo of baby bear along with momma and papa bear.

As promised. Side by Side by Side.
50" Small Compact Wicked
54" Compact Wicked
55" Utility Wicked

 

[lostcreekranch]

As promised. Side by Side. 50" Small Compact Wicked 54" Compact Wicked 55" Utility Wicked <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/449779-wicked-utility-grapple-20151208_125150s-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/449780-wicked-utility-grapple-20151208_125051s-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/449781-wicked-utility-grapple-20151208_125200s-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/449782-wicked-utility-grapple-20151208_125102s-jpg"/> <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/449783-wicked-utility-grapple-20151208_125135s-jpg"/>

Excellent pics, thanks!

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[IslandTractor]

Nice and helpful photos. Thanks for posting.

I still like Momma sized grapple best. Not too big, not too small!

 

[Xfaxman]

Nice and helpful photos. Thanks for posting.

I still like Momma sized grapple best. Not too big, not too small!

You ain't seen my Momma! :laughing:

 

[streamin]

You ain't seen my Momma! :laughing:

That's funny! That big grapple is a monster! It does look a bit over kill but why not...

 

[IslandTractor]

You ain't seen my Momma! :laughing:

Should we call it the Yo Mama Grapple in her honor???