Bucket grapple vs root rake How to decide?

[CalG]

I just did a search here using that phrase. Only one thread even mentioned the options when it comes to grapples.

What would go into decision making between the two?

I live and work the tractors in hilly, rocky, 130 year old maple and hemlock forest. (with a couple of oak, cherry, hickory and ironwood thrown in)

Brush pushing and root "displacement" would be anticipated. But there is stone and ledge EVERYWHERE!

eta. Making the paths to do the work of pulling out firewood would be in the mix.

Presently, I use the box blade as a general purpose tool. It does poorly with any carry requirement.

Pin on would be the configuration. NOT SSQC

 

[old and tired]

I love my bolt on grapple, I can grab enough brush to the point where I can't see where I'm driving... great for logs. Couple it with a tooth bar, you'll never need to remove them. Pin on bucket....

 

[oosik]

I move large rocks, chunks of pine tree trunk and backdrag, collect and move brush/small rocks with my grapple. Backdragging with the top lid does require some care. Do not want to hook the tines of the top lid on any immovable object. Such as bedrock outcropping or very large tree root. Damage to the grapple hydraulics could result.

However - I've had this grapple for twelve years - used it in this manner - never had any problems.

JMHO - a bucket grapple is going to be much more universally useful than a root rake.

My 2009 Kubota M6040 & Land Pride 1560 grapple. My modified grill guard.

 

[oosik]

I had my grapple installed twelve years ago. Along with a WR Long third function valve. It has never been taken off the FEL.

A modified grill guard is essential. It will keep limbs, sticks and stobs from finding your radiator, grill or battery.

 

[CalG]

I move large rocks, chunks of pine tree trunk and backdrag, collect and move brush/small rocks with my grapple. Backdragging with the top lid does require some care. Do not want to hook the tines of the top lid on any immovable object. Such as bedrock outcropping or very large tree root. Damage to the grapple hydraulics could result.

However - I've had this grapple for twelve years - used it in this manner - never had any problems.

JMHO - a bucket grapple is going to be much more universally useful than a root rake.

My 2009 Kubota M6040 & Land Pride 1560 grapple. My modified grill guard.

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Your bucket grapple appears to be a compromise between types , at least from images I have seen.

Great reference ...thanks!

 

[CalG]

I love my bolt on grapple, I can grab enough brush to the point where I can't see where I'm driving... great for logs. Couple it with a tooth bar, you'll never need to remove them. Pin on bucket....

I believe that would do just about any task that I might have need.

It is truly a "bucket grapple" What of the "root rake" style?

 

[oosik]

My grapple is called a root & rock style or clam shell style - CalG. Now what old & tired has pictured is a true bucket grapple.

Every style has it's - pluses and minuses. You just have to figure out how you will use the grapple and then get the type that will work best.

There are - at least - four, perhaps six, different styles.

One of the biggest factors - weight of the grapple. The weight of the grapple will reduce the weight that can be lifted.

Another factor - style. My grapple is not the best design for gathering limbs, brush and trash. If that is what you will be doing - then a grapple with long lower tines will work better.

If you still want the use of your bucket - then a bucket grapple will work better. I can still move dirt with mine but not in the traditional way you would with a bucket.

My grapple weighs 820 pounds. It's made of AR400 steel. High abrasion resistance.

I can use it to lift heavy rocks and chunks of pine tree trunk because I never lift a heavy load higher than 6 inches off the ground. It's called - "knuckle dragging". Many times I will leave drag marks in the dirt as I lift and move an exceptionally heavy load. Normally - the lower the load is lifted - the greater you will be able to lift.

 

[old and tired]

So my bucket grapple is 143 pounds, just a hair over a grand, new. I am most likely to grab a bucket full of gravel to patch the road as I am to pick up logs... I use the bucket to carry my tools mostly!!

The pin on bucket keeps the lifting points closer to the tractor (meaning I can lift more than if I had a SSQA) but I went one step farther and jacked my PSI to 2500 psi (mine was a tad low from the factory, 2300psi.)

Bolt On Grapple Single, Dual, Dual X | W.R. Long Inc.

The Bolt On Grapple Single BOG-Single and the Bolt On Grapple Dual BOG-Dual are designed to fit most tractor loader buckets with lift capacities up to 2,200.

www.wrlonginc.com

 

[oosik]

That 55 gallon drum is a very handy way to get rear weight. It's "in and tight" - doesn't cost an arm & leg - gives a reasonable amount of weight. My rear blade weighs 1000+ pounds - BUT it sticks out back quite a ways and has to always be considered when moving thru my tree stands.

The 1550 pounds of RimGuard in my rear tires is no problem when in and amongst the brush and trees.

 

[Fladogman]

I can see where a bucket grapple would be beneficial with a pin on bucket, but i have to respectfully disagree that it's more useful than traditional root grapple. I can do so much clearing and digging roots, stumps and hauling large loads of limbs. I level and smooth out fresh cleared land very efficiently. I probably have my grapple on my tractor 85% of the time
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