Anybody know about a Frostbite Grapple?

[fjcruiser]

I've thought about buying one of these grapples for the 5083E for a several years. My primary use will be loading logs onto a firewood processor. I have talked my self into and out of buying one many times. I'm going to be in a position soon, where the machine I load with now is moving to a different location.
I thought I'd ask if anyone has one, experience, etc. I've seen a couple other brands that are very similar, but don't know anything about them.
I also contacted EA last week and talked to a guy for recommendations. He recommended the 66" wicked grapple. I've since watched a few videos. Woof. I'm sure I could create some fun with that thing. Not sure it would be quite as good at handling logs as the Frostbite though. They are 2x the cost of the Frostbite...

 

[goeduck]

I have seen a Frostbite Grapple or two here on TBN. Cannot say which thread, but someone has one. I think they look very useful. EA grapples are expen$$ive.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I actually saw a Frostbite Grapple in person last year at a sawmill/lumber expo in Statesville. Very well made and engineered unit. If your primary use is loading logs I could certainly justify purchasing one. You just need to weigh the benefits versus cost of that dedicated grapple. To me it is excellent for that intended purpose.

 

[Rustyiron]

A friend has one, imho they are a good inexpensive (in the grapple world) log mover but pretty much limited to that & smaller boulders
where a full width double "lid" will move the log's equally but that's just the beginning of their list of abilities. But as you mention, that comes with a price.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have one. I like it better than a wide grapple for handling logs. But as said it is a log grapple so not as good for loose brush etc. But for logs and whole trees it is excellent I think . It is well made - better than the Igland. More grease fittings and thicker material in the important places.









gg

 

[Gordon Gould]

A couple more from when it was brand new two years ago





gg

 

[Gordon Gould]

Some more - I have plenty :laughing:







gg

 

[Gordon Gould]

I hope the pictures speak for themselves. It is a great log grapple. I find a full sized grapple that most users on here are in love with are to big , heavy, and awkward for use doing work picking around in a log pile and loading with finesse in tight places. Don't get me wrong, that is not a slam, full sized grapples are great all around tools, just not designed specifically for handling logs like the FrostBite is. Just my opinion of course.

gg

 

[John_Mc]

A friend has one, imho they are a good inexpensive (in the grapple world) log mover but pretty much limited to that & smaller boulders
where a full width double "lid" will move the log's equally but that's just the beginning of their list of abilities. But as you mention, that comes with a price.

I have a Sundown GR40 grapple, which is very similar to the Frostbite (I actually think the Frostbite is a bit better made, but having said that, what I have is built very stoutly, and I've had no problems. I'd need to be using it commercially and on a much larger tractor to really find the difference, and even that would take a while).

As Rustyiron notes, a full width, double lid grapple will "move the logs equally". However, a dedicated forestry grapple like the Frostbite, Sundown, and others, works better for picking an individual log out of a pile. The narrow profile also makes maneuvering in tight quarters significantly easier as well. It works fairly well for cleaning up after limbing or brush cutting, but it won't pick up the shorter pieces like some other grapple designs will, and it wont work for "raking" up an area like the wider, multi-tined grapples will. Forestry grapples are specialized grapples for a particular purpose, and they shine at that purpose. Other designs can run rings around them for other purposes, however.

 

[John_Mc]

I hope the pictures speak for themselves. It is a great log grapple. I find a full sized grapple that most users on here are in love with are to big , heavy, and awkward for use doing work picking around in a log pile and loading with finesse in tight places. Don't get me wrong, that is not a slam, full sized grapples are great all around tools, just not designed specifically for handling logs like the FrostBite is. Just my opinion of course.

gg

I should have read your posts before putting my response up. You put it much better than I did. THat's exactly why I choose a forestry grapple.

 

[Coyote machine]

I have the Igland brand GR-20. Igland was one of the first of these forestry grapples, and it is a awesome implement. I use if for full 40' feet tree placement on my landing, for moving huge boulders, and placing them into walls too. I've seen the Frostbite and it too is beefy and several people I know have them.They seem to be a knockoff of the Igland I have, with a few improvements. I would buy a Frostbite in a second if I needed a log grapple now.
For what you say you're going to use it for it's the perfect tool. Wicked is going to try to sell you what they make for way too much money for the task you need a forestry grapple- not the big-azzed wide type; JMHO. BTW, I also have Igland's log winch, Model# 4000, with a snatch block will pull 8,000#'s!
It's awesome too, because it's well made and built by a company that know's it's *****! Check out their catalog, these guys build it all for forestry! YEAH.
So my suggestion is to get a Frostbite- closest thing to the original Igland with some minor zerk upgrades and joint bearings as well.
Good luck, and post pics before use and after. It will last for years!

 

[goeduck]

I would like a Frostbite better than my big dual lid when it comes to moving and placing 4 foot plus diameter firewood rounds where I can process them. The big grapple is just too clumsy. If I grab from one side I am off balance and have the other side of the grapple bumping into things. Yes, it does the job but the Frostbite would be better.

 

[goeduck]

This is a little under 3 foot round with my single lid which would be more like the Frostbite as far as nimble goes. But its opening is not as big so I am limited to a 3-1/2 foot diameter round. So as far as grapples go, what matters is what you are going to use it for.

 

[fjcruiser]

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to buy one for sure after hearing everyones thoughts. I'm glad they make them with the "global" attach. I got prices last week. They run 1595 plus 270 shipping. I need to find out what my third function quick couplers will look like (I still need to buy/install) before I order.
Thanks again...
I will post pics when I get it.

 

[Mjriegs2]

If you search YouTube for a creator named Wranglerstar, he has a Frostbite log grapple on a Yanmar 59hp tractor and has some good videos of it in use. May be helpful?

 

[fjcruiser]

If you search YouTube for a creator named Wranglerstar, he has a Frostbite log grapple on a Yanmar 59hp tractor and has some good videos of it in use. May be helpful?

Thanks! I have watched the video. I've been a fan of his channel for many years.