Grapple Anbo Mfg. Grapple

Marooned · Feb 7, 2006

Mike,

Congrats on making the plunge. If I were ready to purchase, I would have chosen the Borgford as well. I think really you couldn't have gone wrong with any of the three you were considering, but you gain a little more lifting capacity due to the lighter weight of the Borgford. I too want to do quite a bit of back raking and this appears hard to do with the Addington unit. Before I do get a grapple rake, I'll call them and see if they make an upper jaw with teeth for this task.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this subject matter. It has been a big help in my research. When I'm ready, I'll be a more informed consumer, for sure!

TBNer's, are there any more manufacturer's out there I/we should be considering?

And Mike, when that bad boy arrives, let us know how you like it! I'd also be interested to know which direction you went with the hydraulics.

dannyk · Feb 8, 2006

Well, I just bought the 60-inch Quick-Attach for my 753 Bobcat. It should be delivered next week. The truth is that any of these units would probably serve my purpose (although I preferred the Anbo GR5 weight and 6-inch spacing of teeth). However, shipping is a significant cost. Since the QA unit is in MN, the Anbo price wasn't even close, even with Minnesota sales tax.

Regarding the steel, AR400 is stronger than T1, but I think it may be more brittle (at least that's what the QA guy tells me). This could be significant since I am dealing with a 6000 lb machine. I would rather bend something than break it! But in the end, it just didn't make sense to pay an additional $500 plus shipping for the Anbo.

Regarding weight, I think 830 lbs is a bit heavy. On the other had, if I go to a tractor later, it would have a loader with at least 1500 lb lift capacity such as the Kubota L3430. With appropriate weight on the three point, the weight of the grapple should be no problem since my main use is for brush and small logs.

Hope I made an OK decision. Comments?
Danny

dannyk · Feb 8, 2006

Forgot to say I bought the 60" QuickAttach "Quick Claw" industrial grapple rake.

Marooned · Feb 8, 2006

Danny,

Although I do not have a Root Grapple (yet), I think you made a great decision. I think Anbo, Borgford, Quick-Attach all make good products as well as several others that have not been mentioned on this particular thread. When I get ready to purchase, like you, cost will be one of the main deciding factors, so that will ultimately help me make my decision.

Good luck and have fun with that grapple!

mike69440 · Mar 23, 2006

Borgford
http://www.borgford.com/

Well, the Borgford grapple fnally showed at my dealer, more info to follow:

Now to get it set up and valved!

The Borgford is smaller opening grapple of the several I compared, but the short front tines and smaller jaws will give me more leverage and curling force with roots and rocks. The tines are thicker but shorter and more narrow in section from a side view.

Despite the smaller jaw opening, I think the new shark tooth shape of the Borgford top jaw and slightly lighter weight would be better on my tractor. Borford Web page does not show new style shark tooth.

I want full loader function and grapple function, where the grapple can be activated with the press of the buttons located on the loader stick. This allows seamless operation of a the grapple.

A directional valve can be set up for continuous flow between the pump and the tank and handle much higher flows with less pressure drop, i.e.. less heat. This type of valve is what's typically used in the power beyond scenario. When the valve is activated the continuous flow is directed to the port that is open or closes the grapple.

Kubota makes an option Loader control for the L-39 with buttons.

rogdan · Mar 26, 2006

The more of the grapple posts I read the more useful they seem. What is the ball park cost to have a tractor plumbed for a grapple?

dwl · Mar 26, 2006

I purchased a Borgford MFG grapple for my NH TC24DA. I found Dale very helpful and most willing to have you satisfied. I have a neighbor who was so impressed with my grapple he replaced his small JD with a larger JD to accommodate the grapple. I have used it enough to ware the paint off in places and am most happy with it. Quality is great, came with valve and hoses. I did have to modify the bracket to mount the valve as the one supplied did not work the way I wanted. I am using it for brush removal and have moved some boulders with it as well.

I have been very pleased with my borgford purchase

David

mike69440 · Mar 26, 2006

The TC24 (now TC26) is a relly neat small compact. Perfect for 2-5 Acres. It is much stouter than a similar sized Kubota, but isn't the Borgford a lot aof grapple for that machine?

Do you have the 4' Model/ what does the grapple weigh?

Love to see a picture.

dwl · Mar 27, 2006

Yes it is the 4ft model. I will work on getting some photos. I am pretty careful regarding what I pick up but the loader won't lift it if it is to heavy.. I have lifted several boulders that weight 600-700lbs

Dirtrich · Mar 29, 2006

Oh Boy, I love my Anbo grapple! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have the 5' GRL model with the smaller hyd cylinders and it matches very well with my TC33DA. It weighs under 400lbs which is I think is around 1/4 - 1/3 of the FEL's capacity.

It is very well made and has performed perfectly. Sometimes I wish I could have gone bigger to carry larger piles but I didn't want to lose too much lifting ability. I bought it from the dealer when my tractor was new so I paid top dollar, I think it was around $3k but was ready for duty from day one. Obviously, you'll also need to have a skid steer style quick attach plate. (I think these should be included with all tractors).

Initially, it was a major PIA to connect/disconnect the hyd lines due to residual pressure but thanks to some of the TBN guys, I learned the very simple but important rule to relieve all hyd pressure in the lines by "cycling" the FEL and 3pt. before removing them. Now it takes just a few minutes to hook-up and remove the grapple and other hyd attachments. (thanks guys!).

Recently, I was using the grapple to "rake" thorny vines out of a bunch of trees and then I'd simply clamp down on the root clump and rip 'em out. Oh man that was so satisfying, after years of getting pricked to be able to rip out and carry away huge piles of those nasty thorns.

The attached pic was a simple job for "big Blu" and the grapple...Fell 2 large Pines, cut them in half and make 2 trips with the top halves cause they're so bushy and double up and make just one trip with the trunks. Time was less then 10 min.

http://www.anbomanufacturing.com/