Grapple 3PT Grapple?

[OleBlue]

Hi all, new to the forum, found it searching the web trying to find a 3pt hitch grapple. I search this forum and didnt find any hits on this. I have a Ford 1700, that I've used to clear out my land. I've got several large tree/burn piles. My problem is that I can only burn from one area, so I have to move several piles over to the burn area. I dont want to use the ole slip chain, as it's a real PITA, a grapple would be perfect. I've seen the thumbs for buckets, while this would be great for brush, I'm dealing with felled trees, mostly poplar, avg trunk size around 6-10", so I dont think a bucket with a thumb would help much.

I've seen this one on Norther Tools, looks like it will work perfect. Anyone seen one like this, or have any other suggestions?

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=4006970&storeId=6970&langId=-1&productId=200308215

If I cant find a "reasonalbly" priced one, I just might make one out of an old scraper blade.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[OleBlue]

I had looked at bucket grapples, but none of them looked like they would work for me until I saw this one on the top banner ad.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/ati/index.htm

My thought is I could use this bucket grapple along with the Payne forks (or make my own). If I scooped up the tree tunk ends into the bucket, I could secure them with the grapple then back up to the burn pile, release, then use the forks to stack the tree unto the brush pile. I cant carry the trees lengthwise in the bucket, due to surrounding trees, so dragging is the only way to get them where I need them.

Thoughs?

Thanks

 

[dummy]

Might want to read through this discussion. skidder

 

[OleBlue]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Might want to read through this discussion. skidder )</font>

Thanks, read the thread, the grapple in the thread is the same one I reference in mine, but at a better price. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I dont want to do the slip chain or tong, cause I've got a LOT to drag out. If anyone has used a bucket grapple to skid logs/trees out by the trunk, I'd like to know how good this works.

Thanks

 

[jpm]

oldblue i have the ATI grapple on my tractor bucket and it works great. You can easly move trees by trunk,the middle ,the tops
As for size of trees I've moved logs 15-20" by 30' plus long with only weight stopping me from bigger

jay