Need help on Right Tractor For a Grapple.

[AuburnAlum]

Thank you all for some great info! Here is another question.

What brands of grapples are recommended? Or ones to avoid?

 

[oosik]

My M6040 is 60hp & weighs 9688lbs with the grapple and rear blade attached. I can lift 2000lbs easily. As has been said - it depends upon your budget & how much time you want to spend getting jobs completed. My largest lifts will be very big boulders and chunks of big Ponderosa pine trees. I've gone to log scale web sites and downloaded green log weights for length & diameter so I'm not going to attempt to move the impossible. My chain saw will bring all into the proper weight arena.

I chose a Land Price SGC1560. Its very heavy duty, weighs 860lbs, and is 60" wide. I chose this unit because it IS HD and I'm not overly concerned that I've lost some lifting ability due to the weight of the grapple. I was more concerned that it doesn't fold up like a pretzel when I use it. I have the grapple controls on the joy stick thru a third function valve(WR Long).

I also considered an ANBO grapple because they are manufactured locally. ANBO is another heavy duty grapple like the Land Pride.

IMHO - you can get an appropriate sized grapple for just about any sized tractor and it should work just fine. Its just a matter of your funding abilities and the type of jobs you want to accomplish and how fast you want to get them done.

I also have formulas to calculate the approximate weights of large boulders. I always try to have the upper hand when lifting very large/heavy loads by knowing ahead of time if its within the grapples limits. I've seen what can happen to others when lifting by trial & error.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I would also take a hard look at a tracked skid steer for doing what your wanting. Look at decent used machines, and take good care of it then if that way when you think you need a tractor or want a tractor sell the skid steer. If you really want a tractor, like said above you can move a mountain with a shovel, just going to take a while, but not as heavy and easier to move around.

It's pretty much useless to try and shop for a tractor like your wanting by using HP numbers, you really need to look at Physical size, weight, loader capacity and such. Any more you can have many different HP ratings yet have those three things the same. Also are you planning on hauling the equipment around or having it delivered and stay at that location, if hauling is it something you have a truck and trailer That can haul it or have to rent or buy one? It all depends on a Budget, time, ect.

As for the Kubota is junk, That's not so. Have they had some issue yes, has John Deere, Massey, case, ect, ect. YES!!! Been around and used pretty much all of them and most of the time problems with all of them were either abuse, improper use, or lack of MAINTENANCE.

 

[jenkinsph]

There is no urgency for the purchase at my leisure. Budget is flexible, just concerned as I started at 19K now looking at around 30K+. Mostly hardwoods (oak, hickory, and some clusters of short and Virginia pine) and the short needled pine are the weakest and most prone to fall. The land used to be a tobacco farm about 50+ years ago. Picture below of what it looks like and what has fallen and would like to move.

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I don't see the need for a tractor and grapple with a high lift capacity looking at your pictures. Also keep in mind that it is easier to maneuver through the trees if you cut them down to about tractor width. A smaller tractor can obviously fit through the trees and you might need to pull them out to a cleared area to manage them.

While I would personally opt for a 50hp tractor for faster work in the fields I don't see where a 35hp tractor would have a problem moving the trees in your pictures. A subcut could pick up most of the trees in your pictures but ground clearance would be a problem (think stump holes), So anywhere between a mid size and larger compact would seem to be a good fir for you.

 

[Xfaxman]

You might consider a used Toolcat. Better view of the grapple or forks, better maneuverability with 4 wheel steer and crab steer, better ride with independent suspension. Two models, 5600 with a dump box and 5610 with a 3 point hitch.

More pictures: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/toolcat/270965-toolcat-5610-series-f-pictures.html?highlight=

 

[4570Man]

What is the maximum lift height of a tool cat?

 

[Xfaxman]

What is the maximum lift height of a tool cat?

Can't find it now on the new Bobcat Website, but seems like it was listed at 7.5 feet on the old Website.

 

[jenkinsph]

You might consider a used Toolcat. Better view of the grapple or forks, better maneuverability with 4 wheel steer and crab steer, better ride with independent suspension. Two models, 5600 with a dump box and 5610 with a 3 point hitch.

More pictures: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/toolcat/270965-toolcat-5610-series-f-pictures.html?highlight=

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I could see it being good for lots of uses including a grapple. Appears to be a thirsty machine because of hydraulic systems but it would definitely be a contender if front grapple work is the main use. Very maneuverable and well appointed. Should be a great tool for building landscapes was my first thought. So what does a new one cost with the three point hitch version?

 

[Xfaxman]

I could see it being good for lots of uses including a grapple. Appears to be a thirsty machine because of hydraulic systems but it would definitely be a contender if front grapple work is the main use. Very maneuverable and well appointed. Should be a great tool for building landscapes was my first thought. So what does a new one cost with the three point hitch version?

That depends on your dealer, MSRP here for the new G series is $64,526, My dealer said $56,000.

 

[AuburnAlum]

That depends on your dealer, MSRP here for the new G series is $64,526, My dealer said $56,000.

Great pictures! Very impressive. That though is just way above my budget. I just looked at some use online and even the used (tracked skid steer) are beyond what I want to spend. :-/