Brush Grapple Preferred Width?

[Snowback]

Agree with Ken. The forks do look like a good solid option as well, but it may be difficult to grub roots and brush cleanly like in this picture below. I have a pair of clamp on pallet forks for my bucket when needing to move pallets. Probably just need to decide on whether you need to do more grubbing/ground engagement grappling, or pallet type grappling. Both seem useful in certain instances.

 

[KenB2920]

Agree with Ken. The forks do look like a good solid option as well, but it may be difficult to grub roots and brush cleanly like in this picture below. I have a pair of clamp on pallet forks for my bucket when needing to move pallets. Probably just need to decide on whether you need to do more grubbing/ground engagement grappling, or pallet type grappling. Both seem useful in certain instances. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=466473"/>

Ugh!!! Perfect photo example. I was digging for photos and you beat me to it... Leaves a great finish

 

[lennyzx11]

I went with the narrowest possible for these reasons.

1. To keep from having leverage out side of the lift arms and twisting the loader from a one sided hook with a rock,root, or stump.
2. Weight. I use a SSQA and as it weighs a bit also, I wanted to keep as much weight of the grapple down in order to pick up more.
3. It's easier to see the sides and front where you are digging into without the overhang of the grapple on each side.
4. More maneuverable in tight areas between trees and buildings. (Though I still have managed to leave orange and black paint on various trees and buildings on our place still!)

I bought the EA compact wicked largely because of the steel used is stronger vs the weight. I can attest that I haven't bent or tweaked mine yet doing stumps, rocks, and grubbing.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Ugh!!! Perfect photo example. I was digging for photos and you beat me to it... Leaves a great finish

FIRST time I read this, "I" read, "I was digging "potatoes" and you ....."

Kinda funny, lol as I "push my forks together" and then use the pallet forks/grapple to dig my row of flower bulbs every fall.

I sale the bulbs every year, and using the tractor to go down the row, lifting the root balls out of the soil, makes the job MUCH easier!

SR

 

[Snowback]

FIRST time I read this, "I" read, "I was digging "potatoes" and you ....."

SR

Now that there's funny! After your observation I cannot read it any other way. "Potatoes". Garden row digging round goes to the pallet fork setup. Point - Sawyer Rob.

 

[ovrszd]

I think snowback said it all. I really don't have anything to add.

What?

Brevity????

 

[ovrszd]

I'm in the timber a lot. FEL bucket is 84". Grapple is 72". Works better in tight spaces.

Double claw all the way.

 

[Xfaxman]

I can't see where a dedicated grapple will do anything that my set up won't do, (maybe in an individual specialized circumstance you could find something ?) but I see LOT'S of "every day" things, that my set up WILL do that a grapple won't...

----------------------------------------

SR

Your fork set up is very useful, especially if you don't have a grapple.

I have pallet forks and grapples, the forks don't get used much, but they don't have a thumb on top.

One of the things that I have to do a lot, is pick up dead tree branches. I use the dual lid grapple, then walk around manually picking up all the small pieces and put them in the bottom of the grapple. That won't work with your fork set up.

Another thing that I can do, is pick up several big rocks, in one trip. That won't work with your fork set up.

The rock pile

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Actually, once you get a couple lengths of brush or limbs on the forks, they then will hold all the small stuff you want to pile on, I do that all the time...

It also isn't true that I can't pick several rocks at a time, just adjust the forks in or out to where you need them and scoop the rocks up up...

SR

 

[Sawyer Rob]

As most of you know, I have a sawmill, so I do quite a bit of logging. That means in a lot of cases, there's brush to deal with! It's easy to open the grapple, drive ahead sliding the forks flat on the ground, letting the brush pile on the forks...

Every once in a while I close the grapple and that compress' the brush, then open it back up and keep letting it load on,

Many times I drop the tree's in a field, so all the brush has to be cleaned up and the pallet forks/grapple makes short work on that job.

SR

 

[Xfaxman]

Actually, once you get a couple lengths of brush or limbs on the forks, they then will hold all the small stuff you want to pile on, I do that all the time...

It also isn't true that I can't pick several rocks at a time, just adjust the forks in or out to where you need them and scoop the rocks up up...

SR

I don't have pictures of it in the grapple, but I am talking about small pieces of brush, like this.

Here are 4 rocks that I picked up in one trip. I wouldn't want to try it on the forks.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I don't have pictures of it in the grapple, but I am talking about small pieces of brush, like this.

So am I, you just have to put the folks closer and it will jam up and stay on them, but I'm sure you won't get as much per time of that small stuff that you would get with something else... Small price to pay for all the things that the pallet forks/grapple will do and do better than a dedicated grapple.

The rocks, that's less of a problem and I can get a pretty good load of those...

SR

 

[Xfaxman]

I have a Kioti DK45SE gear tractor with KL401 loader and Rimgard in the rear tires ( approx. 6,000# gross). Standard bucket width is 72". I'm getting ready to order a dual lid grapple primarily for brush and log work. For those of you using grapples, what width grapple and why would recommend for my set-up?
Thanks,
Rick

I would recommend the 54inch wide, single lid, with the larger 37 inch opening: Single Lid Root Grapple

My single lid is only 44 inches wide, but will grapple very long stuff.

 

[ovrszd]

So am I, you just have to put the folks closer and it will jam up and stay on them, but I'm sure you won't get as much per time of that small stuff that you would get with something else... Small price to pay for all the things that the pallet forks/grapple will do and do better than a dedicated grapple.

The rocks, that's less of a problem and I can get a pretty good load of those...

SR

Rob, I think you get very good use from your forks. But if I had to own one, it would be a Grapple.

If we were neighbors we'd have a Grapple competition some afternoon. Would become clear which was more efficient very quickly.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

If we were neighbors we'd have a Grapple competition some afternoon. Would become clear which was more efficient very quickly.

Yup, first pallet that needed to be moved/loaded/unloaded, load of lumber that needed to be loaded, firewood log that needed to be moved and cut completely on the forks or box of firewood that needed to be moved, you'd go home embarrassed... ha ha ha

Maybe we would see how you would load some big bales,

OR safely lift someone to clean the gutters on the house, or cut some limbs that are up high,

OR..................

OK, OK, you get the idea... I'm done with this one... lol lol

SR

 

[k0ua]

Hey, the fact of it is, no matter what kind of grapple you have, it is WAY better than no grapple. That I am sure of. I have never heard from anyone that doesn't love having a grapple of some kind.

 

[ovrszd]

Yup, first pallet that needed to be moved/loaded/unloaded, load of lumber that needed to be loaded, firewood log that needed to be moved and cut completely on the forks or box of firewood that needed to be moved, you'd go home embarrassed... ha ha ha
Maybe we would see how you would load some big bales,
OR safely lift someone to clean the gutters on the house, or cut some limbs that are up high,
OR..................
OK, OK, you get the idea... I'm done with this one... lol lol

SR

You are right Rob. I can't figure out why any of us have Grapples. I can't even figure out why you would take the time to read this thread. There's obviously nothing here for you to learn. You are wayyyyyy ahead of us.

 

[rkaufmann]

Well, I sure didn't intend to start a grapple war when I started this thread lol! Thank you all for every comment. Your individual perspectives are much appreciated as I move toward making a final decision. In fact I think I may have already decided, well, maybe??? I'll just revive this thread in about 3-4 weeks with pictures of what I get.
Rick

 

[ovrszd]

We'll look forward to seeing pics Rick!!!

 

[k0ua]

Well, I sure didn't intend to start a grapple war when I started this thread lol! Thank you all for every comment. Your individual perspectives are much appreciated as I move toward making a final decision. In fact I think I may have already decided, well, maybe??? I'll just revive this thread in about 3-4 weeks with pictures of what I get.
Rick

Rick we look forward to seeing what you decided on. There are many of these contentious subjects.. Tires, R1 or R4 R3.. no consensus, Transmissions Hydrostatic, gear, shuttle ect.. No consensus. Grapple width. narrow/wide... yep.. no consensus. Grapple lids.. 1 or 2...? no agreement.. grapple types... uh huh.. Some of lifes tractor issues will just never be solved. Opinions are like axeholes...everyone has one. :laughing: