Just reading through the last few pages of this thread and wanted to say I've had the Igland GR-20 Log Grapple for a number of years, and it's been great. I put expanded metal in the opening where the piston is between the upper and lower jaws so the branches can't get to my tractor grill, as well as I have the same in my Kioti brushbar. Belt and suspenders to protect radiator, trans cooler and Interstate battery. I too have the red extension feet bolted onto the lower two tines of the grapple. Didn't start out with them, not sure they were even available when I first bought the grapple, but they do make getting under a load easier and pickup and carry easier too, IMO.
Don't have a rock plate, but could see where it could be useful, but even a drop in piece of expanded metal might work well so it could be removed when not needed for rock picking.
I can vouch for the pics of large logs one might find hard to believe it can pickup and hold, but one of its advantages is it's only 390#s, so the DK-40 series tractors have the rest of their 2795#s, (or close to that number can't recall exact spec), of #s lift capacity left to do work.
It is a very beefy wall steel, and I've been using it for many years and have never come close to bending anything on it. I've seem the Frostbite brand recently and compared the features of each. I don't see any advantage of one over the other, BUT I've only use the Igland.
My across the road neighbor finally got a Frostbite after I had showed him my Igland years ago. He now says he doesn't know how he ever got by without it...I tried to get him to listen about 4-5 years ago. He has a Kubota too; what can I say...guess he likes throwing his money around.
I also have the Igland model 4001 PTO driven winch and it too is amazing what it can haul, especially when a clamshell snatch block is attached to a nearby tree; it doubles the pulling force to 8,000#s!
I actually broke the stock 3/8" cable hauling a large log that got caught against a stump. I guess I kept reefing on it and cranked up the RPMs until something had to give. Glad I didn't end up wearing the cable around my head or neck like a hat or scarf!:shocked:
Current Igland catalogue, page 64 shows the most recent version of the GR-20 with feet attached. They've changed the color and the upper jaw is now red, instead of black.
And for those interested in winches, page 6 shows my 4001 on the back of some green tractor....full description on page 11.
Link:
http://www.igland-as.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/igland-49eng.pdf
Found another link which shows the GR-20 AND has a video showing a 'grab plate' with teeth on it which bolts between the lower legs:
Igland GR 2 Grapple • Peak Equipment
Vid link, also on page link above:
Igland GR2 Grapple - YouTube
