Which grapple?

[Piston]

I wonder why no one can build a common sense grapple like that anymore. Wide opening, narrow, lightweight. Perfect.

Closest I see out there is the 48 inch WR Long obg2 but by the time I ship it, it is $2K.

Grapples were no where near as popular 12 years ago as they are now. Not to mention the price of 'everything' has gone up since then, increasing costs. Also, Millonzi is no longer business, so that should tell you something as well. As I understand it, the guy died, but not sure if it was a one man show or not. If so, then the profit margins don't need to be nearly as high.

The WR Long is an EXCELLENT grapple.


Armydoc, I think there is a happy medium with width of a grapple. No, you don't 'need' it to cover your tire tracks, and no, you don't 'need' a wide grapple. However, you can be more productive with one so there is an advantage.

The main reasons to go with a narrow grapple, are lighter weight (which doesn't apply to you), less cost (which may or may not), and the belief that a narrower one will dig better (which mathematically it will, however I've never had a problem digging anything, so it's not a legit reason), and you will not have any issues with digging with the power you have.

To me, it seems like the 72" would be pretty ideal. However, I'd go with whatever Xfaxman recommends since he has the same machine. The rest of us just speculating.

 

[Xfaxman]

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Armydoc, I think there is a happy medium with width of a grapple. No, you don't 'need' it to cover your tire tracks, and no, you don't 'need' a wide grapple. However, you can be more productive with one so there is an advantage.


The main reasons to go with a narrow grapple, are lighter weight (which doesn't apply to you), less cost (which may or may not), and the belief that a narrower one will dig better (which mathematically it will, however I've never had a problem digging anything, so it's not a legit reason), and you will not have any issues with digging with the power you have.


To me, it seems like the 72" would be pretty ideal. However, I'd go with whatever Xfaxman recommends since he has the same machine. The rest of us just speculating.

Actually my V417 is basically the same, just slightly smaller. For my uses, mostly dead trees, I have never wished for a wider grapple.

Pushed over two dead ones:

 

[case580c]

The WR Long is an EXCELLENT grapple.

I just wish that WR Long shipped a little faster. Still waiting for my Grapple after I attach it to my tractor I need to get Hyd hoses made up which will require a 3hr round trip to hyd shop. OBG1 - 64. I plan to use either a couple of pieces of old garden hose or hyd hose to determine the correct lay length for the hoses. Anyone have any tips as to figuring the correct length. Thanks Bill

 

[ericm979]

I used old garden hose to mock up some lines I had made to run from the rear remotes to a mount on the loader. They're the temporary 3rd function while I figure out what I want to do for real. Keep the bends gradual and make the hoses long enough to not bind. If you're running from the loader to the grapple I suggest waiting until the grapple shows up and measuring then. On my EA grapple there's quite a difference in hose reach from curled back to fully dumped. I also had to move my quick coupler mount but the hoses from the rear remote still reach it.

Discounthydraulichose does custom for a good bit less than my local hydraulic store. Surpluscenter has hoses even cheaper but they come in 6 inch or 1 foot increments.

 

[IslandTractor]

Armydoc,

Your putting this on a telehandler right? You would absolutely pretzel a 4' wide, 3/8" mild steel grapple. Do not let anyone talk you into going with a narrow lightweight grapple with this machine. Many Many Many people have been talked into this, and it's a fine option, but for your machine, you would be simply throwing money away for scrap steel if you went with the infamous $500 Millonzi 48" grapple.
(I understand that I.T. is not recommending this, but just want this to be clear in case it's a little misleading)

Piston is right. I wasn’t aware this was to be used on a big telehandler.

 

[Xfaxman]

It isn't a big telehandler, it is a small compact telehandler, the new Bobcat V519. 6.9 feet wide and 6.9 feet high about 15 feet long.

Only rated to lift 5500 pounds.

 

[IslandTractor]

It isn't a big telehandler, it is a small compact telehandler, the new Bobcat V519. 6.5 feet wide and 6.5 feet high about 15 feet long.

Only rated to lift 5500 pounds.

View attachment 533170

Why am I jealous every time you post a photo???

Maybe Santa will read this.....

 

[Xfaxman]

Well now I am also jealous of this new model, the V519.

My V417 is 7 years old, all beat up and scratched up.

 

[LD1]

Armydoc,

Your putting this on a telehandler right? You would absolutely pretzel a 4' wide, 3/8" mild steel grapple. Do not let anyone talk you into going with a narrow lightweight grapple with this machine. Many Many Many people have been talked into this, and it's a fine option, but for your machine, you would be simply throwing money away for scrap steel if you went with the infamous $500 Millonzi 48" grapple.
(I understand that I.T. is not recommending this, but just want this to be clear in case it's a little misleading)

Piston is right. I wasn’t aware this was to be used on a big telehandler.

Too many things going on in this thread its hard to keep track of whos who and whats what.

Original post was back in 2007 inquiring about putting a grapple on a mx5000

Then on post 27 case580c revived the thread a month ago to inquired about a grapple on a M5140 kubota.

Then post 62 armydoc started inquiring for a bobcat v519

And somewhere in there I think there was a question about one for a B21.

Certainly a vast range of machines. And someone trying to make a recommendation for a V519 vs someone making a recommendation for a B21 are going to differ vastly

 

[DieselBound]

I just wish that WR Long shipped a little faster. Still waiting for my Grapple after I attach it to my tractor I need to get Hyd hoses made up which will require a 3hr round trip to hyd shop. OBG1 - 64. I plan to use either a couple of pieces of old garden hose or hyd hose to determine the correct lay length for the hoses. Anyone have any tips as to figuring the correct length. Thanks Bill

For the install on mu NX5510 I went out and bought some cheap 3/8" air hose. Garden hose was more expensive and it tended to be too big. Ran my hoses on the left side; also put in some disconnects at the loader attachment point (one day I'll put a real bulkhead in, but for now I've the hoses zip-tied). Just feed the hose until you figure you've got a good lay (free from obstruction) and then mark on the hose (mark at disconnect and then at desired full length out to the front of the loader arms (cross tube). I replicated the stress loop as found on the factory hose install on the other side of the loader mount.