3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader?

   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader? #1  

In.the.Piñons

Silver Member
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Aug 14, 2024
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162
Tractor
21' Kubota M5-111
Would that work, or am I just going to damage the grapple sooner or later? It would be used for logs, rocks and brush so probably nothing to heavy (famous last words!).

I'm looking at one of these two units.

 
   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader? #2  
The weakest link rule applies. I'm not opposed to seeing a grapple fail before a loader but
:unsure: Not many loaders have a 4k capacity. 4k must be the weight of the machine, no? If it's the weight then the loader capacity will be about half ... in which case I think it's a good match
 
   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader? #3  
The way I read the specs is weight capacity is 3,000 lbs so if your skid steer or tractor loader is rated for 4,000 the week link will eventually be found.
 
   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader? #4  
Spec-wise I see it like the pallet forks that I got from palletforks. 4k capacity. My loader? Somewhere in the mid-2k. Basically, if you can lift it, it won't break the attachment, seems to be the idea.
Of course, with a grapple grabbing logs, you do need to have some consideration for what happens when you hit a bump with one tire and not the other, causing torsion / twisting with the log. Could tweak the loader, so keep that in mind. The longer the log, the worse the torsion is.

I've been considering a log grapple as well. Main thing holding me back is I want a grapple that I can grab a pile of brush as well, but I don't make huge piles (but they're hand-stacked as I currently carry them just with forks) as I drop them on a burn pile that's officially supposed to be small (though I definitely push that limit just not by more than 100%...) also that my work clearing my land is "almost done" (hahahahah) so I'll have fewer bigger logs going forward, do I really need a grapple? I'll still have clean-up brush piles... probably yes kinda sorta

Consider the Frostbite grapple; for one it's slightly lighter (359#), and it's pretty well reviewed and sold for generally tough machinery. Made in Estonia. I saw one seller mention a 6,000# lift capacity.

Also there's the Frangard grapple, I believe made in Denmark. Their SK-950 is 150kg (330#), the SK-1400 is 210kg (463#). This brochure mentions it's made from "Domex 420 steel".

I'm not sure what any of the above (including the palletforks one) are made of but my suspicion is that the two I mentioned will be more strongly built; their price is similar to the non-on-sale price of the PF one, though PF does bake in free shipping.
1727218573683.png


I've been happy with my PF forks, but I have no illusions that it's built out of anything other than basic steel.
The PF one is identical to the TMG ($1799 free ship), both are probably China made.
 
   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader? #5  
Spec-wise I see it like the pallet forks that I got from palletforks. 4k capacity. My loader? Somewhere in the mid-2k. Basically, if you can lift it, it won't break the attachment, seems to be the idea.
Of course, with a grapple grabbing logs, you do need to have some consideration for what happens when you hit a bump with one tire and not the other, causing torsion / twisting with the log. Could tweak the loader, so keep that in mind. The longer the log, the worse the torsion is.

I've been considering a log grapple as well. Main thing holding me back is I want a grapple that I can grab a pile of brush as well, but I don't make huge piles (but they're hand-stacked as I currently carry them just with forks) as I drop them on a burn pile that's officially supposed to be small (though I definitely push that limit just not by more than 100%...) also that my work clearing my land is "almost done" (hahahahah) so I'll have fewer bigger logs going forward, do I really need a grapple? I'll still have clean-up brush piles... probably yes kinda sorta

Consider the Frostbite grapple; for one it's slightly lighter (359#), and it's pretty well reviewed and sold for generally tough machinery. Made in Estonia. I saw one seller mention a 6,000# lift capacity.

Also there's the Frangard grapple, I believe made in Denmark. Their SK-950 is 150kg (330#), the SK-1400 is 210kg (463#). This brochure mentions it's made from "Domex 420 steel".

I'm not sure what any of the above (including the palletforks one) are made of but my suspicion is that the two I mentioned will be more strongly built; their price is similar to the non-on-sale price of the PF one, though PF does bake in free shipping.
View attachment 1316690

I've been happy with my PF forks, but I have no illusions that it's built out of anything other than basic steel.
The PF one is identical to the TMG ($1799 free ship), both are probably China made.

Get yourself an HLA catalog, or go to HLA on line. Canada or US made.
Very tough stuff. I swear by their attachments, not at them. Found at AG dealers all over.

Buy once, cry once.

1727222129031.jpeg
 
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   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader? #6  
I wouldn’t buy an attachment form Titan period and I for sure wouldn’t buy one thats underrated for the job.
 
   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader? #7  
I wouldn’t buy an attachment form Titan period and I for sure wouldn’t buy one thats underrated for the job.
I bought a Titan attachment…..once.
 
   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader? #8  
I bought a Titan attachment…..once.

I had a Titan grapple that was garbage. Then I bought a skid steer that came with a titan root rake that was even worse quality.
 
   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader? #9  
I bought their 36" extreme duty thumb for my backhoe. It has been fine, some of it was 5/8 " steel some 1/2" Plenty stout for the average TLB
Have seen some main pin hole wear, but no bending.


Then again there is a difference many times in steel quality. The hole egging made me think of this vid.

Here is a revealing vid of old US small sledge Hammer versus a brand spankin new import with a compression test.

 
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   / 3K lbs grapple on a 4K lbs loader?
  • Thread Starter
#10  
The weakest link rule applies. I'm not opposed to seeing a grapple fail before a loader but
:unsure: Not many loaders have a 4k capacity. 4k must be the weight of the machine, no? If it's the weight then the loader capacity will be about half ... in which case I think it's a good match

The loader is a Kubota LA 1854S, which I believe means it lifts 1854Kg's or about 4090 lbs.

[edit] Just looked up the specs.

Lift Capacity to Full Height

In height position, at pivot pin - 3,990 lb. (1,810 kg)
In power position, at pivot pin - 4,144 lb. (1,880 kg)
 
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