Bucket grapple vs root rake How to decide?

[oosik]

There was another limiting factor for me. What was available locally and who was going to install the 3rd function valve and related hydraulics.

I know zippo about hydraulics. For me it was either the Land Pride at my local Kubota dealer. Or an ANBO grapple from the dealer 70 miles north of me - in Colville. A round trip for my tractor to the ANBO dealer was $1000. I've always had good dealings with the Kubota dealer - I chose Land Pride and the Kubota dealer. I have no regrets after all these years.

 

[tacticalturnip]

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....

Given his pin-on bucket, I think this would be the best option, especially paired with a tooth bar.

 

[CalG]

There was another limiting factor for me. What was available locally and who was going to install the 3rd function valve and related hydraulics.

I know zippo about hydraulics. For me it was either the Land Pride at my local Kubota dealer. Or an ANBO grapple from the dealer 70 miles north of me - in Colville. A round trip for my tractor to the ANBO dealer was $1000. I've always had good dealings with the Kubota dealer - I chose Land Pride and the Kubota dealer. I have no regrets after all these years.

I spent the good part of the day on the Hurlimann , re-stacking walnut and hemlock logs. (they were in the middle of a clearing, and are now off to the side). Also re-stacked the stump pile. It's like turning a compost pile, only to get the dirt to fall off. It's just a bit harder on equipment. Those maple stumps are big and still heavy!

Any way, I sure could have used that "bucket thumb" grapple thingy. I bolted on the bucket tusks, but still had to get off and on the tractor a dozen times to fit the short walnut logs for carry.

Looking hard at the "Add-a- grapple" offering, but bon't really like the "adjustable" feature.

Single - Precision Manufacturing

Convert a bucket to grapple! Single Add-A-Grapple fits 60"-79" buckets. Affordable for compact tractors. Easy on/off. Learn More!

precisionmfg.com

 

[tacticalturnip]

I spent the good part of the day on the Hurlimann , re-stacking walnut and hemlock logs. (they were in the middle of a clearing, and are now off to the side). Also re-stacked the stump pile. It's like turning a compost pile, only to get the dirt to fall off. It's just a bit harder on equipment. Those maple stumps are big and still heavy!

Any way, I sure could have used that "bucket thumb" grapple thingy. I bolted on the bucket tusks, but still had to get off and on the tractor a dozen times to fit the short walnut logs for carry.

Looking hard at the "Add-a- grapple" offering, but bon't really like the "adjustable" feature.

Single - Precision Manufacturing

Convert a bucket to grapple! Single Add-A-Grapple fits 60"-79" buckets. Affordable for compact tractors. Easy on/off. Learn More!

precisionmfg.com

Could you post photos of your machine sometime? It's so unique. Do you have a mid-mount ROPS?

 

[CalG]

Could you post photos of your machine sometime? It's so unique. Do you have a mid-mount ROPS?

ROPS is on the Back, like any other US market tractor. I can't say how that came to be. I have never seen another.

There are some images in the hydraulics sub forum from when I put a dedicated loader valve on it. Quite a few years back though
A goggle search of "Hurlimann Prince 435" images sometimes shows /

I'll snap a pic or two in tomorrow's light.

(image snagged from the internet, not mine, but just like it , down to the Allied loader. Mine has a small bucket though

 

[old and tired]

Looking hard at the "Add-a-grapple" offering, but don't really like the "adjustable" feature..

WR Long has the same adjustable "feature". As far as I can tell, it adds strength to the upper support tubing. You have two, 1/4" tubing, one inside the other, over lapping the joint. And raises the grapple up to give you more volume to carry more sticks/branches.

I suppose if you are a welder, you could weld the two pieces together. I figure if I (or the next owner) ever decides to change tractors, you can just unbolt it from your old tractor and mount it to a new one.

If your bucket is strong enough (or you like to weld) Greens machine, The Thumb might be what you want... Greens-Machine Thumb Grapple.

You can buy two mounting bases and move the Thumb from one tractor to another.

Only thing I don't like about the thumb... you loose the extra space between the top lip of the bucket and the tube of the the add-a-gapple which gives you (basically) the "adjustable "feature"!!!! (more space to carry material).

 

[CalG]

WR Long has the same adjustable "feature". As far as I can tell, it adds strength to the upper support tubing. You have two, 1/4" tubing, one inside the other, over lapping the joint. And raises the grapple up to give you more volume to carry more sticks/branches.

I suppose if you are a welder, you could weld the two pieces together. I figure if I (or the next owner) ever decides to change tractors, you can just unbolt it from your old tractor and mount it to a new one.

If your bucket is strong enough (or you like to weld) Greens machine, The Thumb might be what you want... Greens-Machine Thumb Grapple.

You can buy two mounting bases and move the Thumb from one tractor to another.

Only thing I don't like about the thumb... you loose the extra space between the top lip of the bucket and the tube of the the add-a-gapple which gives you (basically) the "adjustable "feature"!!!! (more space to carry material).

I watched the install video for the thumb. Sure is a lot more fab work than only needing to drill a few bolt holes.
I've already welded a full length angle iron to the top edge of the bucket to support the weld on chain grab hooks.
I'll need to check dimensions etc. to see if that will get in the way.

Thanks for the reference.

 

[Hay Dude]

Is grapple forks attachment an alternative?
I have found this attachment to be my handiest and best for boulders, logs, brush, anything but aggregates

 

[old and tired]

I'll need to check dimensions etc. to see if that will get in the way.

Whichever way you go... don't forget some kind of tooth bar!!!

 

[oosik]

If you go with a "standard" grapple - don't forget to modify your grill guard. Check out the thread - Grill guard - here on TBN.