Best grapple for brush?

[buck12]

I currently have an MTL dual lid grapple and had a Wild Kat single lid grapple on my previous tractor. Both are the L shaped design and work well for moving bush, logs, etc.

When I bought my first grapple it made my tractor a much more useful tool.

 

[old and tired]

Really depends on the lift capacity of your tractor (once you get one). Any grapple is better than no grapple... for me, cheaper and lighter is better. It looks like to have tight spaces to maneuver so smaller one with a single lid would work better for you.

 

[boostmg]

Really depends on the lift capacity of your tractor (once you get one). Any grapple is better than no grapple... for me, cheaper and lighter is better. It looks like to have tight spaces to maneuver so smaller one with a single lid would work better for you.

I’ll have a Branson 3620h. Lift capacity at pins is 2700lbs.

i seem to be leaning towards the clam style vs the bucket style.

weight also seems to be a big factor for me, especially since I’ll probably have this on most of the time.

 

[sd455dan]

Clam shells are nice for rooting out things. If you want to carry things L style is better, even fire wood can be carried, not just logs or stumps.

Attachments

• 
  rhino-wood 002.JPG

  685.1 KB · Views: 268

 

[jjp8182]

Really depends on what else you want to do with it. Either is capable of doing the same tasks, but the short tine is usually more optimized for ripping through the ground to rake out roots & rocks (within reason since a tractor's FEL is still a tractor's FEL). The long tine does make it easier for also using it as a carry-all/bucket with the lid open or closed though....

 

[rswyan]

Based on its construction, I’d go with the second one.

Just to be clear, as quoted above, my issue with the first grapple was its use of round bar stock for the lower tines - not the fact that it is a "L" style grapple.

I suspect that the round bar stock will be prone to bending with any attempts at digging out roots.

If digging out roots/stumps is nowhere on your horizon, then probably not an issue.

 

[ericm979]

If you want to dig out rocks and stumps a backhoe is probably a better option. Tractor loaders are made for lifting but they're not that good for digging.

 

[boostmg]

Just to be clear, as quoted above, my issue with the first grapple was its use of round bar stock for the lower tines - not the fact that it is a "L" style grapple.

I suspect that the round bar stock will be prone to bending with any attempts at digging out roots.

If digging out roots/stumps is nowhere on your horizon, then probably not an issue.

yea I’ve been wondering about the design of that one, it’s unlike any others I’ve seen. I need to get specs on it.

i feel that i will likely be rooting smaller things with a grapple at times.

 

[boostmg]

Really depends on what else you want to do with it. Either is capable of doing the same tasks, but the short tine is usually more optimized for ripping through the ground to rake out roots & rocks (within reason since a tractor's FEL is still a tractor's FEL). The long tine does make it easier for also using it as a carry-all/bucket with the lid open or closed though....

this is really helpful. You are saying the longer tines can still do the ground ripping/rooting though?

 

[JohnnyMX]

I have a W.R. Long OBG-2 which is an "L" style with two clamshells which is basically your second/middle picture. You can still use it for getting at roots if you are only looking to go down 4" or so. There is a round bar that supports all the tines in the front and when you put the teeth in you can sort of ride on that and just drive. All I do it move brush piles, logs, and rip/clean the ground to push tree lines back. It also sits nice and flat when you take it off if you have kids that like to climb on things. Either style is better than no grapple