Grapple Brush Raker Grapples

Bascom · Jan 4, 2011

Looking for user feedback / pros /cons, opinions, etc. on Brush Raker grapples from Oliver & Dahlman. Link is:

Home

I'm specifically looking at the dual cylinder 5 ft BR model.

TIA

Happyman · Jan 4, 2011

Have never heard of them. I'm interested to hear if anyone on TBN has experience with their products. I noticed no prices quoted for their grapples or any other implement. That tends to mean expensive! :shocked:

IslandTractor · Jan 4, 2011

650lbs is way heavy for a CUT grapple. What do you intend to do with it?

A 48 or 60 inch Gator style grapple with single upper jaw even with 1/2 construction would probably weigh only 450lbs and would stand up to about anything your tractor could dish out in terms of lift/breakout etc.

Not sure what Gator would charge but probably in the range of $1300 or so. I'm guessing the 5 foot double jawed BR costs over $2K.

Here are examples of what you can do with a 300lb 3/8 inch steel 48 inch grapple (Millonzi, no longer made but basically similar to the light duty version of the Gator/Markham grapple). Tractor is Kioti DK40se with lift capacity of 2700lbs and breakout somewhere around 3500lbs.

Ductape · Jan 4, 2011

The light duty 60" is listed at 420#.

Curious on prices also........

lynrob · Jan 5, 2011

I have ordered but not yet received a compact root grapple from everythingattachments.com. I looked around quite a bit before ordering this one. Their website has a great video (~10 minutes) showing it in use with a tractor very similar to mine. The 72" model weighs 525 pounds and seems stout and well built. I doubt that I will be able to hurt it with my L4740.

The price was $1882 delivered free to Oregon.

IslandTractor · Jan 5, 2011

lynrob said:
I have ordered but not yet received a compact root grapple from everythingattachments.com. I looked around quite a bit before ordering this one. Their website has a great video (~10 minutes) showing it in use with a tractor very similar to mine. The 72" model weighs 525 pounds and seems stout and well built. I doubt that I will be able to hurt it with my L4740.

The price was $1882 delivered free to Oregon.

Welcome to TBN.

Why did you choose such a wide grapple? If only picking up trash it would make sense but for more aggressive brush clearing I think you'd find a narrower version more effective as well as lighter and cheaper. Width of a grapple does not need to be the same as the primary bucket and there are many occasions where a narrower grapple (even 48 inch) is better as it allows you to concentrate force rather than distribute it over a wider area. The video at everythingattachments shows the two tasks for which a wide grapple is effective but for almost everything else a narrow grapple has advantages. Don't be fooled by thinking that a wider grapple can lift more debris, a lighter grapple ultimately has a greater load capacity and as brush sticks together a narrow grapple can gather just as much brush.

I like their basic design which is essentially an improved version of the Millonzi grapple I have with a better engineered top grapple design. Interesting that they chose T1 steel for this grapple. Mine is made of mild steel and has held up well using a 40hp tractor. I have bent a tine or two over five years aggressive use but with mild steel it is no problem to heat and straighten or to use simple welding methods to add gussets etc. T1 is obviously stronger pound for pound but less easily repaired and more expensive.

I wouldn't worry about hurting the grapple. I really haven't hurt my 300lb 48 inch 3/8 mild steel grapple using a similar sized tractor to what you have. If anything, the wide grapple could hurt the loader if you snag a buried rock or stump on the grapple outside edge while root raking the way he shows in the video. Best to keep the grapple "inside" the FEL arms when doing that sort of work to minimize torque forces when hitting a big object.

Again, I think they have a nice design but there very few tasks that need a double jawed 72 inch grapple on a CUT. The 60" would probably work better IMO and if they had a 48 inch version with a single upper jaw they would give Gator a run for their money.

Again, welcome to TBN.

gatorgirl · Jan 5, 2011

IslandTractor said:
Welcome to TBN.

Why did you choose such a wide grapple? If only picking up trash it would make sense but for more aggressive brush clearing I think you'd find a narrower version more effective as well as lighter and cheaper. Width of a grapple does not need to be the same as the primary bucket and there are many occasions where a narrower grapple (even 48 inch) is better as it allows you to concentrate force rather than distribute it over a wider area. The video at everythingattachments shows the two tasks for which a wide grapple is effective but for almost everything else a narrow grapple has advantages. Don't be fooled by thinking that a wider grapple can lift more debris, a lighter grapple ultimately has a greater load capacity and as brush sticks together a narrow grapple can gather just as much brush.

I like their basic design which is essentially an improved version of the Millonzi grapple I have with a better engineered top grapple design. Interesting that they chose T1 steel for this grapple. Mine is made of mild steel and has held up well using a 40hp tractor. I have bent a tine or two over five years aggressive use but with mild steel it is no problem to heat and straighten or to use simple welding methods to add gussets etc. T1 is obviously stronger pound for pound but less easily repaired and more expensive.

I wouldn't worry about hurting the grapple. I really haven't hurt my 300lb 48 inch 3/8 mild steel grapple using a similar sized tractor to what you have. If anything, the wide grapple could hurt the loader if you snag a buried rock or stump on the grapple outside edge while root raking the way he shows in the video. Best to keep the grapple "inside" the FEL arms when doing that sort of work to minimize torque forces when hitting a big object.

Again, I think they have a nice design but there very few tasks that need a double jawed 72 inch grapple on a CUT. The 60" would probably work better IMO and if they had a 48 inch version with a single upper jaw they would give Gator a run for their money.

Again, welcome to TBN.

Good point, and yes we could have hooked him up! Not only with a grapple but also in that cost!
Thanks
Julie

lynrob · Jan 5, 2011

Thanks for the warm welcome! I will admit to having no actual experience with a grapple so I based my decision on what I could glean from threads like this one on the Internet. I read everything I could find and this is the first time I have seen the width of the grapple come into question so I guess I didn't concentrate too much on that aspect.

I think the 72" model will work well for my application which is very similar to what is shown in the video but I also see where a narrower one might have its advantages too. I asked my local Kubota dealer what they sold the most and he said for my tractor they mostly sold 72" Anbo's.

The Anbo is similar in design to the Construction Attachments unit I ordered but my dealer wanted $2900 and change and I couldn't justify the extra $1000.

Time will tell, I suppose, but for now I think the unit I ordered will suit its intended purpose. Thanks for the feedback. It won't do me any good since my unit is already enroute, but maybe someone else can save a few bucks by buying a smaller grapple.

Bascom · Jan 5, 2011

Thanks for the replies All. Will post a price on the BR when able.

Island Tractor-
Have read many of your previous posts reference grapples over the last few months. I do appreciate the info. Impressive pics as well. I'm about sold on a 48"....

I agree, the weight (650 lbs) is a bit much. Too bad they don't make the BR in 48" as I like the design. Was really curious if anyone on TBN had experience with Brush Raker brand. I used "search" and came up with zilch.

To clarify, I'm researching 48"-60" grapples from WRLong, Gator and The Rake Shop as well as Brush Raker. I'll be cleaning up "after-thinning" pine debris (10-12 ft.rows) to include logs/debris and cut brush. Would like use it to turn / load / move mulch/manure. My loader is rated at 2700 lbs lift / 5100 lbs breakout at the pivot pins.

Additionally, contemplating the Elec / Hyd switch from WRLong if the $$ aren't too much.

IslandTractor · Jan 5, 2011

Bascom said:
To clarify, I'm researching 48"-60" grapples from WRLong, Gator and The Rake Shop as well as Brush Raker. I'll be cleaning up "after-thinning" pine debris (10-12 ft.rows) to include logs/debris and cut brush. Would like use it to turn / load / move mulch/manure. My loader is rated at 2700 lbs lift / 5100 lbs breakout at the pivot pins.

Additionally, contemplating the Elec / Hyd switch from WRLong if the $$ aren't too much.

For simple cleanup of debris I agree there are advantages to wider grapples than the 48. The 48 shines when actually digging brush out, moving stumps etc. Still, I have never wished my 48 was wider even when just loading up cut brush. The stuff sticks together so I can easily get 8 foot wide loads of the the stuff grappled for transport.

Your loader is about the same as mine so you'll have no trouble lifting a full load of brush regardless of grapple weight simply because brush doesn't weigh much. If you get around to moving stumps and rocks though you'll appreciate a lighter grapple.j

You might consider just using rear remotes initially to control the grapple. You can get up and running for less than $100 using a couple of hoses and a few quick connect fittings (reusable if you move up). I used rear remotes on my first tractor and now have a perfectly fine WRLong diverter valve but honestly I don't think the diverter has increased speed or productivity over the rear remote. Caveat is that the rear remote control must be easily reached without looking.