Help me pick best grapple for my tractor!

HCJtractor · Oct 14, 2018

The SCX is about triple what I paid for mine. I just don’t like those long unsupported tines. But that’s just my opinion.

goeduck · Oct 14, 2018

HCJtractor said:
The SCX is about triple what I paid for mine. I just donç¨š like those long unsupported tines. But thatç—´ just my opinion.

They are 1 inch AR400. You can support tines because they are thin or mild steel and then not dig as well. Who has a tractor that will bend 1 inch AR400? These are made for skid steers, that should indicate the strength.

What brand do you have?

oosik · Oct 15, 2018

Strange - - the OP has about identical requirements as I had when looking for a grapple.

I went with Land Pride SGC 15560 and WR Long third function valve. The grapple is called a rock and root grapple - is VERY heavy duty - I have been unable to do any damage to it in four and a half years of use. The dealer installed the third function valve and grapple and I've never had a reason to take it off yet.

The grapple weighs 820 pounds which still leaves around 3200 pound lift capacity. Its 60" wide which is a tad narrower than my front wheels.

One strong suggestion - do something to your front OEM grill guard for additional protection. I took my grill to the local welding shop and this is what they came up with. No need to have a limb, root or stob get to your grill, battery or radiator.

View attachment 574821 View attachment 574822 View attachment 574823

standup616 · Oct 15, 2018

I see this one in my future. if the link works. As a lifelong boater and harsh Alabama gulf coast salt air and rain, one less thing to watch rust away or paint while not in use
http://i1admin01.webstorepackage.com/modernag/virtualweb/images/TopQltyAttachments.pdf

HCJtractor · Oct 15, 2018

goeduck said:
They are 1 inch AR400. You can support tines because they are thin or mild steel and then not dig as well. Who has a tractor that will bend 1 inch AR400? These are made for skid steers, that should indicate the strength.

What brand do you have?

Mine was made by Markham which is no longer in business. I use mine a lot to push down trees and dig stumps. My fear with the 9” gap between the tines would result in a 10” tree wedging between the tines, and with my 8,000+ tractor, I think it would bend. I’ve bent my tips slightly and they’re much shorter, supported by welded gussets and still bent a little. It doesn’t affect function thankfully. I would feel better about those long tines if there was a cross brace connecting them to prevent wedging between the tines.

Again, I’m not trashing that grapple. It looks really good except for that one detail, which because of how I use mine, would worry me. It that’s just my opinion. I may be wrong.

ns_in_tex · Oct 15, 2018

We built our grill guard, about 15 years ago, with expanded metal. We still managed to punch a hole through it. Have now replaced, at least part of it with 1" cat walk material.

gladehound · Jun 26, 2023

I realize this is an old thread... but I finally pulled the trigger on a Frostbite! I bought it through FrostBite Grapples - Grapple, Log Grapple and Todd was very responsive and answered all my questions. Delivery was quick about 1 week and everything looks to be as requested. I can give a positive recommendation for Todd and frostbitegrapple.com

One thing I like on the Frostbite is that the hoses are threaded so you can change to different couplers in the future if you like. Unit looks very, very strong. I doubt there is any possible way I can hurt it with my little 45hp tractor. And at under 400 pounds, plenty light for my 2700+ pound full height lift.

I still need to get hoses to run it on the loader. I'll throw it on the 3pt to see how it works once I can get away from work for a bit (have an SSQA on the 3pt too)

Xfaxman · Jun 26, 2023

gladehound · Jun 28, 2023

Sorry, no pics doing actual work. All I've done is take it off the pallet, put it on the back of the tractor and made sure that it worked. I'm in the process of ordering hoses so I can put it on the front. I'll share more when that process is done. Everything was greased and it functioned as it should.