Bolt on Grapple

[rdl]

After being on the market for all these years I can't believe how many people still have not seen or heard about this bolt on grapple. Both HLA and Cotech make a version of it and all you need is a hydraulic connection and at least a class 2 pallet fork. They are relatively heavy so you need 2 people to install them but they serve a hundred and one applications. You can save yourself from buying a whole new utility grapple with one of these and they can be uninstalled when not in use.


Cotech


HLA Attachments - Single Arm Log Grapple

 

[Stomper]

I found the Cotech last year while searching for grapples and even though I really like the idea I went with a brush type grapple instead. My main reason for wanting a fork grapple was for dealing with logs for cutting fire wood. I really liked the fact that it would clamp stuff tight to the back of the fork frame. While the brush grapple I bought has come in handy for cleaning up downed trees and branches around my yard, it doesnt work as well as I hoped it would for the firewood thing, but sure works good for cleaning up brush. The reason that I didn't get the fork grapple was because I have a tall frame on my forks and I wasnt sure that it would work with that style. I thought about modifying the frame and cutting a section out of the middle so it would fit, but I really like the tall frame the way it is. I keep thinking about the cotech though.
I live on a small 2 acre peice of land and don't need all sorts of job specific attachments because with such a small property usualy once certain jobs are done, like brush clean up, it doesn't have to be done for quite some time and having a dedicated peice of equipment for such jobs isn't really feasible. So multi use attachments for me, like adding a fork grapple to pallet forks is appealing.

 

[kennyd]

The HLA option weighs in at 195 pounds by itself, so you add that to most fork frames and you have a pretty heavy grapple. I've seen it at NFMS in Kentucky and it's pretty big too!.

 

[rdl]

I found the Cotech last year while searching for grapples and even though I really like the idea I went with a brush type grapple instead. My main reason for wanting a fork grapple was for dealing with logs for cutting fire wood. I really liked the fact that it would clamp stuff tight to the back of the fork frame. While the brush grapple I bought has come in handy for cleaning up downed trees and branches around my yard, it doesnt work as well as I hoped it would for the firewood thing, but sure works good for cleaning up brush. The reason that I didn't get the fork grapple was because I have a tall frame on my forks and I wasnt sure that it would work with that style. I thought about modifying the frame and cutting a section out of the middle so it would fit, but I really like the tall frame the way it is. I keep thinking about the cotech though.
I live on a small 2 acre peice of land and don't need all sorts of job specific attachments because with such a small property usualy once certain jobs are done, like brush clean up, it doesn't have to be done for quite some time and having a dedicated peice of equipment for such jobs isn't really feasible. So multi use attachments for me, like adding a fork grapple to pallet forks is appealing.

I suggest asking the company for exact measurements, I know that it comes with a long bolt at the bottom to adjust the height and you should be able to use an every longer one. The video shows the installation, even though it's brief.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I kind of like this one by ATI if you have a pin-on bucket like I do.









gg

 

[nybirdman]

I like my Green's Machine Thumb;made it a bolt on;maybe 60#.That with a tooth-bar makes a pretty good and useful grapple.

 

[rdl]

The HLA option weighs in at 195 pounds by itself, so you add that to most fork frames and you have a pretty heavy grapple. I've seen it at NFMS in Kentucky and it's pretty big too!.

That's true but you need to compare the weight to a full grapple which go from 500 to 800 lbs. You are right, they are a little heavy to be considered just an add on but as an alternative to buying a full brush grapple or utility grapple, they are perfect.