Modifying Your Grapple

[Zork]

I have an Express Steel grapple that has the lower shelf. I did some research and watched many videos comparing the two designs and limitations before deciding on this model & manufacturer. And after a few uses I realized the very same limitations with this design that the clamshell root rake might do better. However, the clamshell root rake has limitations that a traditional grapple doesn't have.
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Now that I have seen the Iron Fist, I am wondering if a simple modification to the grapple is needed or even possible.
Just a thought for you all as I ponder my own measure, chop, chop, weld, measure (×2), chop, and weld skills.

Here is a link to a video of an Iron Fist. It's modular. Funny how we do things as we always have until someone creates something new, with limitations, but the actions/concept opens up all types of new ideas, thank you! I'm thinking of a simple mod to our standard grapples to accomplish similar behaviors.

 

[oosik]

I think you might be complicating the grapple design for little or no benefit. I have a very HD root grapple. It does just fine on large & small rocks - large and small diameter tree trunks - brush.

 

[mikester]

Personally I'd want to keep it light, a mechanism like that will add a lot of weight and reduce your CUT lift capacity.

I was considering adding a single articulated thumb to my forks for handling large bundles of long logs. My old clamshell bucket didn't do a good job of it and I'd be losing logs if I tried carrying more than 3 at a time. My forks could handle large grabs but it ended up being like using only two chop sticks to grab a dozen logs. Any imbalance in one log and the load would fall apart.

My new twin lid long bottom grapple does a much better job with brush and logs than my clamshell did. The clamshell had way too small capacity and grip for my CUT.

 

[oosik]

I have a weight limit - 3000 pounds. At that max weight I also have a lift limit. It's called "knuckle dragging".

Tree trunks never go beyond the 3K limit. I cut them to length to stay under. Rocks are a different story. Like my log weight chart - I also have a rock weight chart.

Any rock over 2500# - I find an alternate method to move - other than the grapple.

 

[RSR]

It seems from your post that what you would prefer is a grapple that grabs one log as easily as multiple logs.

The interesting part is there is a simple grapple that already does that. It is lighter and cheaper than root-style grapples. Check out Frost bite grapples.

FrostBite Grapples - Grapple, Log Grapple

FrostBite Grapple Log Grapple for your Skid Steer, Utility Tractors, handling and rocks, brush removal, move pipe culverts, handling steel I-beams & landscaping

www.frostbitegrapple.com

It does everything it appears you want to do, and is still very effective at picking up piles of branches, etc.

I'm always amazed so few people have/use this style of grapple.

 

[2manyrocks]

What is it about your grapple that isn't doing what you want?

I don't believe there is such a thing as a perfect grapple.

 

[fruitcakesa]

It seems from your post that what you would prefer is a grapple that grabs one log as easily as multiple logs.

The interesting part is there is a simple grapple that already does that. It is lighter and cheaper than root-style grapples. Check out Frost bite grapples.

FrostBite Grapples - Grapple, Log Grapple

FrostBite Grapple Log Grapple for your Skid Steer, Utility Tractors, handling and rocks, brush removal, move pipe culverts, handling steel I-beams & landscaping

www.frostbitegrapple.com

It does everything it appears you want to do, and is still very effective at picking up piles of branches, etc.

I'm always amazed so few people have/use this style of grapple.

I bought a frostbite grapple to replace the greens machine thumb on my forks since my primary grapple use is for logging and timber handling. It is perfect for that use far superior to the grapple forks and not excessively heavy though it is very solidly built.

 

[Zork]

What is it about your grapple that isn't doing what you want?

I don't believe there is such a thing as a perfect grapple.

Aside from my initial learning curve in operating it, really nothing. I dont regret buying it; I was just thinking about improving it since I saw the Iron Fist. I'm just looking over the fence at my neighbors grapple thinking its design is a good idea. Of course I want to scoop more and make less trips, but that should come with experience. So far it has done everything I have needed. I've got some large parallel brush piles I will try moving when it gets colder, as I want to give any birds or wasps time to vacate.

 

[Zork]

I think you might be complicating the grapple design for little or no benefit. I have a very HD root grapple. It does just fine on large & small rocks - large and small diameter tree trunks - brush.

View attachment 819292View attachment 819293

You could be right.

 

[Zork]

It seems from your post that what you would prefer is a grapple that grabs one log as easily as multiple logs.

The interesting part is there is a simple grapple that already does that. It is lighter and cheaper than root-style grapples. Check out Frost bite grapples.

FrostBite Grapples - Grapple, Log Grapple

FrostBite Grapple Log Grapple for your Skid Steer, Utility Tractors, handling and rocks, brush removal, move pipe culverts, handling steel I-beams & landscaping

www.frostbitegrapple.com

It does everything it appears you want to do, and is still very effective at picking up piles of branches, etc.

I'm always amazed so few people have/use this style of grapple.

No, just thinking about making this one better.

 

[2manyrocks]

I used a tree service recently that has a kubota track loader with a dual lid grapple. Their operator would clamp brush with one side and then use the other side to compact it back and forth between sides so he could carry more in one trip.

My grapple has a single lid with the bottom row of tines. I can't work the brush back and forth between lids since I have only one. What I do instead is pickup a load and compact it a bit, but then drop it and add to the load.

When tree trunks are involved, there's not much way of compacting them.

One advantage of having a bottom row of tines is when it becomes necessary to hand load limbs when working in the yard and needing to get them all up. I can lay them on the bottom tines pretty easily.

 

[Zork]

I used a tree service recently that has a kubota track loader with a dual lid grapple. Their operator would clamp brush with one side and then use the other side to compact it back and forth between sides so he could carry more in one trip.

My grapple has a single lid with the bottom row of tines. I can't work the brush back and forth between lids since I have only one. What I do instead is pickup a load and compact it a bit, but then drop it and add to the load.

When tree trunks are involved, there's not much way of compacting them.

One advantage of having a bottom row of tines is when it becomes necessary to hand load limbs when working in the yard and needing to get them all up. I can lay them on the bottom tines pretty easily.

Agreed. I like the lower tines version and that is why I purchased it. The videos showd the advantage of the two lids, but these longer bottom and extra lid means more weight. The operating practices you describe should come with time for talented operators.
I've already loaded limbs and steel as you described, I am a fan of the lower ledge, but I also see it's limitations that include the what it's of tomorrow and was thinking it might be nice to have a mod, kind of like the spork concept. I don't like sporks, but could see the value in using it some times.

 

[nyone]

I typicaly come down on a pile of brush from the top. This give me something to push into to fill the grapple.

When the pile is to wide I go in low with the grapple open and roll the pile onto its self with the grapple open and over the now rolled pile...then push down and close the grapple.

 

[oosik]

Like nyone - I come straight down on everything - big rocks, sections of tree trunk, brush. The main reason - I get a better view of the grapple and what its doing.

I use the grapple to rake up loose stuff. Clamp it up tight - come straight down - slowly backwards. It's not as nice/neat as pine needle rake but only the chipmunks and deer seem to mind. Quail love it. Brings up new and tasty bugs, beetles, etc.

 

[Zork]

Like nyone - I come straight down on everything - big rocks, sections of tree trunk, brush. The main reason - I get a better view of the grapple and what its doing.

I use the grapple to rake up loose stuff. Clamp it up tight - come straight down - slowly backwards. It's not as nice/neat as pine needle rake but only the chipmunks and deer seem to mind. Quail love it. Brings up new and tasty bugs, beetles, etc.

Yeah, that's what I'm learning, but I put the loader in float and it seems to be less stress on my equipment.

 

[Zork]

Like nyone - I come straight down on everything - big rocks, sections of tree trunk, brush. The main reason - I get a better view of the grapple and what its doing.

I use the grapple to rake up loose stuff. Clamp it up tight - come straight down - slowly backwards. It's not as nice/neat as pine needle rake but only the chipmunks and deer seem to mind. Quail love it. Brings up new and tasty bugs, beetles, etc.

Yeah, I have been rolling into the pile, that seems to work. But I'm still learning. Thanks.

 

[Tomtint]

a few years back I bought my Titan single lid in the middle grapple. It is 72" wide and i believe a good fit for my L3700SU. It has the bottom tines spaced about 3" apart so dirt and loose material can sift out if needed. My loader isn't super strong. I believe the max lift is 12/1300 pounds +/- ..So I appreciate the strong but light weight build of the Titan unit. As others have said here already, Its a learning curve to figure out how best to use your specific unit. With mine, I tend to lift the lid, Angle the bucket to the teeth are facing straight down , Then drive into the pile and close the lid as i move forward . If there are numerous piles, I'll just drop one pile on top of the other and repeat. I think I spent 1300.00 on mine, all in with fittings. .. IMO..The lightest, biggest and strongest you can find for your particular tractor is the way to go.

 

[Retired LE]

I purchased a North 40 grapple for my 4025 Mahindra. Works great. I already had a forward hydraulic circuit installed for my dozer blade so installation was a snap.

 

[Zork]

I purchased a North 40 grapple for my 4025 Mahindra. Works great. I already had a forward hydraulic circuit installed for my dozer blade so installation was a snap. View attachment 819768

I had no forward hydraulics so I installed another 2 circuit spool in series. I had a three spool but could not find the power beyond sleeve for it.

 

[oosik]

Hey - I've had my grapple eight years now and I'm still not super smooth with operating it. I always get the job done but it will - sometimes - take some "messing around".

It's good that I find using the grapple fun. I'm truly amazed at the power the grapple/FEL combo has.

A suggestion for those with an open station tractor - a tree lined driveway - live in the snow belt. I got really tired of my canopy hitting the snow filled limbs and dropping snow on me. Grab a long 2x4 with the grapple. Have X number of feet sticking out one side. Raise the grapple - one trip down the driveway - both ways. Knock the snow out of the branches and let it drop on the back of the grapple and hood of the tractor. Your good - until the next snow storm.