Is a 25 HP tractor too small for a grapple.

[HP942]

Here is my situation, I have an LS XJ2025H and it is great for my 3.5 acre lot. I mow and landscape with it. I also keep a good supply of firewood logs to cut and split for my fireplace. I am currently using pallet forks to move my logs to the cutting/splitting area and to my small band-sawmill. Grapples appear to be the cat’s meow, but I really only see me using it to move logs now. I don’t have a 3rd function or diverter and don’t know if I can justify the cost. I’m a couple years away from retiring and will be spending more time at my 120 “farm” and hunting property. I plan on buying an additional larger 40-50 hp tractor then with a grapple. A grapple purchased now would likely be too small and light weight to use on the future machine. Am I missing out….is a grapple for my small tractor worth it? The cool factor is there, but is it practical?

I forgot to mention, I have loaded rear tires and alway use a counterweight on the 3PH.

 

[K5lwq]

25 HP is not a problem with the grapple but the light weight of the tractor is a factor. If you are getting by with the forks and plan on a bigger tractor later then I would wait on the grapple.

 

[sea2summit]

It’s not the HP, it’s the capabilities of the FEL and weight of the tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

I only see using a grapple to move logs. I don’t have a 3rd function or diverter and don’t know if I can justify the cost.

I have loaded rear tires and alway use a counterweight on the 3PH.

Buy light duty clamp-on Pallet Forks for your LS XJ2025H moving logs.

30" length optimum. 36" length max.

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LS XJ2025 Attachments​

LS LL2101 Loader
Loader weight:	638 lbs 289 kg
Height (to pin):	85.7 inches 217 cm
Clearance, dumped bucket:	65 inches 165 cm
Dump reach:	22 inches 55 cm
Dump angle:	52°
Rollback angle:	43°
Breakout force (at pin):	1643 lbs 745 kg
Lift to full height (at pin):	1277 lbs 579 kg

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[jeff9366]

I have an LS XJ2025H and it is great for my 3.5 acre lot. When I retire I plan on buying a 40-50 hp tractor with a grapple.

LS XJ2025 Dimensions​

Dimensions
Wheelbase:	59 inches 149 cm
Length:	103 inches 261 cm
Width:	44.9 inches 114 cm
Height (ROPS):	92.3 inches 234 cm
Gear Weight:	1785 lbs 809 kg
Hydro Weight:	1609 lbs 729 kg

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor weight than any other single (1) specification.

Sufficient tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.

Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, a significant tractor capability increase requires a bare tractor weight increase of 50%. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

 

[newbury]

I've an even smaller tractor, a Kubota B7610, and although I've long desired a grapple I've gotten along well with pallet forks and a chain to wrap around stuff like branches and stumps.
But for moving logs to a small sawmill my B7610 couldn't lift much of a log with the FEL but I used a set of 3pt pallet forks like Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks 3 Pt Pallet | Agri Supply 72511

 

[jeff9366]

I've an even smaller tractor, a Kubota B7610, and although I've long desired a grapple I've gotten along well with pallet forks and a chain to wrap around stuff like branches and stumps.
But for moving logs to a small sawmill my B7610 couldn't lift much of a log with the FEL but I used a set of 3pt pallet forks like Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks 3 Pt Pallet | Agri Supply 72511

LS XJ2025​

tractor hitch
Rear Type:	I
Control:	position control
Rear lift (at ends):	1433 lbs 650 kg

In the case of the LS XJ2025H there is no practical additional lift a the TPH over the FEL.
TPH = 1,433
FEL = 1277 TO FULL HEIGHT.

The FEL MAY have more lift capacity to, say, 30" height.

 

[HP942]

Buy light duty clamp-on Pallet Forks for your LS XJ2025H moving logs.

30" length optimum. 36" length max.

VEVOR C-2000LB 43" 2000 lbs Max Pallet Fork - 2000LBKTHC0000001 for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VEVOR C-2000LB 43" 2000 lbs Max Pallet Fork - 2000LBKTHC0000001 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

LS XJ2025 Attachments​

LS LL2101 Loader
Loader weight:	638 lbs 289 kg
Height (to pin):	85.7 inches 217 cm
Clearance, dumped bucket:	65 inches 165 cm
Dump reach:	22 inches 55 cm
Dump angle:	52°
Rollback angle:	43°
Breakout force (at pin):	1643 lbs 745 kg
Lift to full height (at pin):	1277 lbs 579 kg

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I have pallet forks and use them all the time. I would love to have a grapple, but I think I’ll wait until I have a second tractor.

 

[dlctcg]

Buy light duty clamp-on Pallet Forks for your LS XJ2025H moving logs.

Pretty sure he already has a set of pallet forks...

I am currently using pallet forks to move my logs to the cutting/splitting area and to my small band-sawmill.

I would wait on the grapple if you are going to purchase a larger machine in the future... to put the 3rd function on your current & buy a grapple for it... only to purchease a bigger machine in the next couple of years... keep using your forks for now & put the money into the bigger machine....

 

[John_Mc]

You might want to look at a forestry grapple, such as the Frostbite or Sundown GR40. I put one of those on my NH TC33D with a Woods 1012 loader. They are great for moving logs (not good for firewood or other small objects). They weigh a good bit less than other grapples, so you are not sacrificing much lift capacity to the weight of your grapple: my Sundown GR40 weighs almost the same as the bucket it replaces. The upside is that the grapple is heavy-duty enough to be used on larger tractors, so you could take it with you to your future 40-50 HP tractor.

I would not be without my forestry grapple. I do a lot of work in the woods and have shuffled a lot of logs with it. There are some downsides: while it works great for moving logs and picking up brush, it is not useful for moving smaller items (cut and split firewood, small rocks, etc.) As others have noted, the size and weight of your tractor will limit the size of logs you can handle.

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[2manyrocks]

Something helpful is to get one of the free log weight estimator charts like this one. Green Log Weight Charts & Calculator | Sherrilltree

Green logs can weigh a lot more than one might suspect. It would be a good idea to figure out how much weight you actually need to move. Then buy the appropriate loader capacity of the tractor you actually need.

If moving logs is your primary need, maybe consider a skid steer.

 

[scaredychicken]

My Kubota BX23S uses a grapple just fine.

it's one of my favourite implements

 

[oosik]

I started out with a 1982 Ford 1700 - 4WD. With loaded rear tires it weighed around 2750. I never had a grapple for this tractor. I would chain my pine logs to the bucket and lift. It was disappointing. I don't think I could ever lift over 1000#.

In 2009 I bought a new Kubota M6040. I have a very HD grapple on this tractor. I'm able to lift and move logs and rocks - 3000+ - - VERY carefully. My normal lift seldom exceeds 2500#.

The Owners Manual for your FEL should have lift graphs. It will show what you can lift and to what height. Subtract the weight of any grapple you purchase from the projected lift on the graph and this will be what you can lift. Jeff's info shows 1277# to full height at the lift pins. That is - more or less - a bogus figure. Nothing is ever lifted at the lift pins. The center of lift will be at some distance forward of the lift pins - 18" or maybe 24". However - it is a figure that can be used when comparing tractor A to tractor B.

I would recommend that you get some sort of manual clamping arrangement that will work with your pallet forks. Save your money for the future tractor - appropriate grapple - 3rd function valve.

 

[Mrsig]

I use my grapple on my LS all the time! I have moved tons and tons of wood & more with it. It help with stumps and so much more.

 

[BnRidge]

Grapple, bucket, tree puller, , , , , forks - currently this is the order of preference here. Like above, the grapple has been a game changer regarding moving tons and tons of wood. It's rare that I handle it by hand anymore other than splitting and stacking. People love their forks, but I really struggle to find a use for them that is functional other than pallets. The first time I lifted a log with them, and it tipped up and nearly fell onto the tractor, off they went and the grapple back on. CTA makes a light weight unit that is bullet proof. If you don't have a proper setup though at the moment, keep in mind the potential for later. Save your money for the future tractor - appropriate grapple - 3rd function valve. I made do for many many years. There are ways to move logs and the rest that don't involve hydraulics, but once you've got it, you won't go back.

 

[John_Mc]

The Owners Manual for your FEL should have lift graphs. It will show what you can lift and to what height. Subtract the weight of any grapple you purchase from the projected lift on the graph and this will be what you can lift. Jeff's info shows 1277# to full height at the lift pins. That is - more or less - a bogus figure. Nothing is ever lifted at the lift pins. The center of lift will be at some distance forward of the lift pins - 18" or maybe 24". However - it is a figure that can be used when comparing tractor A to tractor B.

That’s a good point. You can’t lift the rating of the loader at the pins to the full height. Some loaders have 2 specs: one at the pins, and another a specified distance from the pins. That second spec gives you a more realistic idea of what you can lift if you include the weight of the implement on the loader plus the log/rock/whatever you are trying to lift.

However, unless you are trying to stack your logs really high, or load them over the side of a tall dump truck or something, you seldom have to lift to full height. The loader can pick up much more if you are just trying to get it a short distance off the ground. I’ve found with my forestry grapple (weight about 350 lbs). I can basically ignore the weight of the grapple when figuring what logs I can lift to just a few feet above the ground. The grapple is designed to hold the logs as close to the loader pins as possible, so I can lift more with the grapple than I could when chaining logs to the bucket. (My supposedly “heavy duty” 66 inch bucket weighs about the same as the grapple.)

So far, that forestry grapple is the only type of grapple I’ve found small enough to use on a smaller compact tractor without sacrificing too much load lifting ability, yet still tough enough that I see the exact same model in use regularly on 50-60 HP utility tractors. However, as noted in an earlier post, it is not a “do-all” grapple. It’s great at moving logs and brush. It’s not so good at picking up smaller stuff or as a place to carry your tools.

 

[mcfarmall]

Brush crusher. Doesn't need a third function.

 

[Vigo327]

I think it depends on how often you're maxing out your current loader. Having a slightly oversize grapple on the small tractor doesn't matter unless it's using lift capacity you actually care about. If you aren't picking up heavy right now, the loss of ~100-150lbs might not even be noticed.

My thinking is, a slightly big grapple for this tractor might be a slightly small grapple for the next one, but in both cases that might be completely fine. As long as the grapple is built heavy enough to hold up to the next tractor pushing on it in normal, appropriate ways, i see no downside to putting it on the current one as long as it doesn't infringe on the lifting you actually do.

3rd function could be expensive, but it might also be one of those things you never regret. Got any other uses you would use the 3rd function for, if you had it?

I'm not saying buy the grapple now, im just saying it might not be a bad idea.

 

[i7win7]

I am currently using pallet forks to move my logs to the cutting/splitting area and to my small band-sawmill. Grapples appear to be the cat’s meow, but I really only see me using it to move logs now.

Only problem I see is the sawmill. For firewood, you can cut shorter logs. 25hp "B" here, they're "LX" now. Real "L" has more lift capacity.

Maxed out B2650 FEL lift capacity

Had a dead tree at the top of the driveway hillside. Dropped it before it fell in the driveway. Used 2 snatch blocks, 200+ feet of wire cable to increase tractors pulling power 3X. Saved 2 logs for lumber logs. B2650, LA534 loader and LP0660 grapple. FEL could not lift it. Curled grapple down...

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