Grapple Opinions Again

AllDodge · Jan 27, 2019

Appears it can handle the weight for sure

Here is even more weight

it was picking the rear of the loader up as I took it away. Oak tree stump

Must be a time thing, I can now upload pics Yea

ovrszd · Jan 27, 2019

I have no idea how many minutes/feet my tractor has carried a load with one back tire off the ground.

Jchonline · Jan 27, 2019

I have the same LP grapple as Oosik. Mine is a bit wider I believe, but they are essentially the same. Very well built (for skid steers) and take a beating. Most times my biggest fear is snapping the logs in 1/2. I agree get a heavier grapple. I would look for around 800+ lbs.

Dual lids? I would not make a recommendation for this without explaining the reasons. Dual lids are great if you are grabbing uneven loads (say a tree with thicker butt end). The claws will close at different widths, but keep the log level in the grapple. A balanced load is very important when you have things sticking out both sides

.

I dont like the dual lids, because I can easily compensate for it by grabbing in the right place. Also you cant use these for back dragging, which is a great benefit to the claw style Oosik and I have.

That said, you have to decide what works for you. One thing is for sure, we all love our grapples!

Xfaxman · Jan 27, 2019

I use the L bottom in float mode and reverse for leveling:

Stomper · Jan 28, 2019

I agree with the others that grapples are cool and extremely usefull but if you decide to buy one, do your research on what style will work best for YOU and your situation, not what works best for others and their situations. Buy it for what purpose you want to do with it. Forums like this are a great resource for information on stuff like this because everyone has different opinions and uses for different grapples. Lots of members here have great info and way more experience with grapples than I ever will, but heres my experiences of when I was in the situation you are in now. I did my research, got advice from different forums and still made the wrong choice. It seemed that the majority of the responses I got was to get a bucket style (L bottom) grapple because they are a more universal type of grapple and can perform the similar tasks as a clam style plus more because of the added capacity of the bucket. That is true, however, I did find out that what the bucket style (L bottom) grapple does do well, is NOT what I wanted it to do well in the first place, clamp smaller objects tightly. I got caught up in all the things that bucket style grapples can do and that took away from the main purpose of why I wanted/needed a grapple in the first place. I was thinking more along the lines of a clam style because I was wanting to clamp tightly onto objects like smaller logs and such. I found a decent deal on a bucket style that seemed to good to pass up, and I am not happy with it because it doesn't do well what I want it to do. So it gets frustrating when I use it. I can't slip it into a pile of logs and scoop up just one specific log. Don't get me wrong, it will do it but not as easy as I would like. It does pick up brush very well. I found that out with the wind storm we had last summer where I had several trees come down on my property. I looked hard at the pallet fork add on grapple like the Cotech because I think it would have worked well for my intended purpose but decided against it because I wanted a dedicated grapple, I even looked at forestry grapples like the Igland GR20, Sundowner GR40 and the Frostbite which are a dedicated log grapple built for my intended purpose, but decided against them for whatever reason. The grapple I did get was a killer deal and it wouldn't be hard to modify it so it would do what I want it to do, so it will eventualy get modified to work better of my needs. I will turn it into a clam style which will IMHO work better for what I need. I bought it at an auction and for what I paid for it, I could'nt have even bought the material to build it.
Nobody's fault but my own. I knew what I wanted but I didn't follow my gut feeling.
Hope this helps

downsizingnow48 · Jan 28, 2019

I like what stomper wrote. You need to figure out the function that is most important to you and choose the tool accordingly. In my case grubbing out surface roots and backdragging were most important, along with ease of moving around in bushes and trees. I don't need to move big logs or big anything for that matter. So I got a small land pride clamshell. Perfect for my uses. For some types of loads it does tend to drop stuff out, but with practice you can compensate somewhat.

EverythingAttachments · Jan 29, 2019

I created a thread to show shoppers the strengths/abilities of various grapple styles and configurations. It includes many pics to show what each is capable of: Which Grapple? A guide.

I gladly help people every day to match the perfectly sized and shaped grapple to their tractor and applications. We have a very wide range of models to pick from, so the result is ideal. No settling for less than optimal is the ultimate result when you choose a grapple by EA.
Our grapples are composed of the best combination of premium materials on the market along with proven designs and no corners are cut. They aren't for those simply looking at price or what you'd call "economy" models. Wicked grapples are intended for those who are after the best for their dollar, USA Made, most photographed and reviewed grapples on the market.

Our latest Wicked 66 root rake grapple is a breakthrough in the utility grapple segment. This highly functional work of art features serrated AR450 steel tines and thick walled DOM tubing, which is not found on any other grapple out there.
It weighs under 700 pounds to maximize the intended tractor's agility and lift capacity. We recommend it for Utility Tractors up to around 100 hp and we tested it on our M6-141 Kubota to ensure it's ready for our customers.

I'll share a few pics of this awesome grapple and will be glad to assist any of you guys!
Travis

For the green guys! John Deere 5083E with global carrier. We also offer it with the JD 500 Series quick attach!

Testing video with our Beastly M6

AllDodge · Jan 29, 2019

There is no one better then you at posting pics

EverythingAttachments · Jan 29, 2019

AllDodge said:
There is no one better then you at posting pics

Thank you, sir.

My son is learning to read and he doesn't even want to look at a book with no pictures. :laughing:

I've always heard that a picture is worth 1,000 words, and I'm very fortunate to have a folder titled "customer pics" with 113 subfolders and 3,609 total files on my hard drive. Man, that's a LOT of words!! :thumbsup:
As I say very often in the Everything Attachments Channel...EA Customers ROCK!
Travis