Grapple Size ??

[bdhsfz6]

I'm looking to get a grapple for my MX5800 with LA1065 FEL and have a question regarding the best width to get. The bucket on the 1065 is 72" and matches the rear tire width. In the past, I've always sized my implement width to be equal to or greater than the tire width. Should the same be true for a grapple? The main use for the grapple is moving logs, large tree branches and brush. Any suggestions?

 

[davrow]

Lots and lots of opinions on this one. But grapples hold their load up... tire width is not a consideration. Weight however, is.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

FYI, this is a surprisingly continuous topic on TBN (especially in the middle of winter). Hint: there is no an easy answer.

I'm happy with my 72" root grapple. :confused3: I would not want wider. I would survive just fine with narrower.

 

[newbury]

I am also constantly trying to figure out what size may be best for my M4700. Since most of my work will be in moderately dense woods I'm leaning towards smaller than my bucket for ease of movement.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I am also constantly trying to figure out what size may be best for my M4700. Since most of my work will be in moderately dense woods I'm leaning towards smaller than my bucket for ease of movement.

The thing about a wider bucket is I can lean to the side and see the tine tips for grabbing small or difficult to grasp items. But there are trade-offs.

 

[sdef]

I bought a 48" rock bucket (~ 450 - 500 pounds net) a couple years ago instead of a wider one due to weight considerations. I have used mine a lot for digging and moving very large rocks, moving brush, logs for firewood and many other things. I see no need for a wider, heavier one that would reduce the load carrying capacity and maneuverability.

 

[k0ua]

Please mark me in the "less is more" column. Mine is 50 inches.. I have never wanted wider..

 

[LD1]

Here is what I have on my MX5100 And I am happy with it. Loaded alot of logs and pushed alot of brush and no damage or bent tines at all.

Tomahawk Attachments :: Tomahawk 66" One-Cylinder Brush Grapple

 

[ArtMech]

Although I don't have a grapple (I'm planning to fabricate one), but I think it's more important, how much it opens up to grasp a load, than its width. And the dimensions of opened grapple to suit the dimensions of material you're going mostly to work with. Example round baler, brush, logs, rocks...

 

[oosik]

My bucket is 72" and at times it has been a little wide for the work I wanted to do in and around my big & little pines. So I went with a Land Pride SGC1560.

Its 60" wide and weighs 820#. It would be called a root & rock grapple. Its heavy duty to the extreme - I've never wanted a wider/narrower unit and its great for grubbing out rocks, trees and roots. Its very handy for light grading/leveling in either forward or reverse. Very nice for bunching up limbs from a trimmed up fallen pine.

The beauty of purchasing a grapple is that you DO have such a wide field to select from...... "choose wisely, grasshopper"

View attachment 497768

 

[mike69440]

If you go with a one claw type, I'd go 60 to 66" but heavy duty. Two independent claws, 72" wide.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I just bought this 72" light duty Friday that is going on my Workmaster 50 this week. Would be a good match to any MX or utility sized tractor. Weight is not too high due to 3/8 steel. Traveled to Denton NC to pick it up.

 

[Piston]

Depends what you use it for. Mine is 64" and I wouldn't consider a single inch narrower. If all your using it for is brush, you could go with a cheap add on thumb for your bucket and save some cash.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

You'll get some great advice and varying opinions on size and lid configuration(single vs dual). I tend to lean towards small, single lids based on submitted pics and continuous reading. There are sometimes circumstances that sway me in another direction because of the many applications that people use grapples for.

I have a huge collection of Wicked Grapple pics with MX series and larger L series Kubotas, many of which came from TBN. I will share some with you.
Concerning your tractor & the Wicked Grapple, it is on the fence between going with our compact grapple up to 55hp and the larger one for up to 75hp.
The lighter one is in the 400 pound range and the heavier one is in the 600 pound range.

I hope this helps. I have more pics, but these are some of my favorites.
Travis

MX5800 with a55" Single Lid Wicked Grapple for tractors up to 75hp

MX5800 with a 55" Dual Lid Wicked Grapple for tractors up to 75hp

Our L6060 with a 73" Dual Lid Wicked Grapple for tractors up to 75hp

L6060 with a 60" Single Lid Wicked Grapple for compact tractors

MX5100 with a 72" Dual Lid Wicked Grapple for compact tractors

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I left these gnarly ones out. MX5100 with a 72" Dual Lid Wicked Grapple for compact tractors.

 

[rbargeron]

For use on my L48 and L5450 with 72" L1100 & LA1150 loaders a 66" 2-lid is a good combination of width and weight. The Bobcat brand has enclosed protected hydraulics, good when thrashing around in a tall brush pile. It weighs around 800 lb so it's good to have some ballast weight on the back.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Thanks for your quick input everyone! I did search on the topic but found little specific to my machine. My dealer recommends either a Landpride or Titan 60" or 72" for MX series tractors with LA1065 FELs. (no surprise since he carries both) Both models have rear mounted hydraulics for protection which I like. At first look, the Titan has longer teeth on the lower clam shell which IMO would make it easier to get under an object. Anyone have experience with either of these units?

For moving logs, rocks, large branches and brush, lifting capacity is more a consideration for me than width. The 60" models weigh on average 820# with the 72" +/- 100# more. The weight of the HD construction bucket on my LA1065 is close to 350# so I would lose roughly 500# of lifting capacity with the 60" and 600# with the 72". That is close to a 25% loss of lift. Yes, there are lighter grapples out there but I'd prefer an HD model.

 

[LD1]

Thanks for your quick input everyone! I did search on the topic but found little specific to my machine. My dealer recommends either a Landpride or Titan 60" or 72" for MX series tractors with LA1065 FELs. (no surprise since he carries both) Both models have rear mounted hydraulics for protection which I like. At first look, the Titan has longer teeth on the lower clam shell which IMO would make it easier to get under an object. Anyone have experience with either of these units?

For moving logs, rocks, large branches and brush, lifting capacity is more a consideration for me than width. The 60" models weigh on average 820# with the 72" +/- 100# more. The weight of the HD construction bucket on my LA1065 is close to 350# so I would lose roughly 500# of lifting capacity with the 60" and 600# with the 72". That is close to a 25% loss of lift. Yes, there are lighter grapples out there but I'd prefer an HD model.

I would not want an 800+ pound grapple on a MX. The loader dont have the hydraulic capacity top warrant it. A 400-450# grapple will handle anything a MX will dish out. Beyond that is just robbing capacity for no reason at all.

Longer bottom teeth also rob curl strength if you are trying to pry your way under a log:2cents:

 

[Turbys_1700]

I agree with LD1...
I didn't want an 800# unit for my Workmaster...
You can find plenty of 60", 66", and 72" units that are under 600#...
I wanted a single lid and 60" but they didn't have one in stock so I went with a 72" double they had stocked...
I figure it is around 100#-150# more than a 60" single...

 

[mike69440]

I would not want an 800+ pound grapple on a MX. The loader dont have the hydraulic capacity top warrant it. A 400-450# grapple will handle anything a MX will dish out. Beyond that is just robbing capacity for no reason at all.

Longer bottom teeth also rob curl strength if you are trying to pry your way under a log:2cents:

I thought an MX has a loader near the L39/L45/L47 capacity, i.e. about 1 ton Lift?
A light duty is great for logs and brush but playing with rocks is rough on grapples and I'd tend toward the 75Hp-600 lb wicked grapple if rock are a concern.