Grapple Bucket Grapple

[PSDStu]

Looking to see what my options are in purchasing either a Bucket Grapple or Grapple for my B7510.

What are the pro's and con's of using either a Bucket Grapple or Grapple?

My loader has a Markham Toothbar if that makes any difference.

Grapple would mostly for cleaning up brush and trees, no rocks here in Florida.

Cost is also a factor.

Have looked and read alot on the Millzoni grapple and the ATI bucket grapple.... just looking for your thoughts and cost options.

Thanks!

 

[RedRocker]

Cost wise, adding a grapple to your bucket is the least expensive, plus you can still have the use of the bucket without much hassle. I don't need my bucket that often, so I went with the Millonzi. It's a PIA to change back and forth, but it's not something I do very often.

 

[3RRL]

IMHO, a bucket grapple is one of the most versatile combinations you can have. But like anything else, there will be a lot of opinions on it that may differ than mine.

I thought about buying a dedicated grapple but my fel is not a quick attach type. With the bucket grapples, I've never had to take them off. This was of great importance to me since during my daily chores, I always needed the bucket AND grapples for clearing, moving dirt or rocks, etc.



You can do just about everything with the bucket grapples as you can with a dedicated grapples. Not only that, but it's like a cross between a 4 in 1 bucket and a grapple. Draw back is you get more dirt in the bucket since it's not sifted through like a true grapple that has tines on the bottom. On the other hand, you can't move buckets of dirt with the dedicated grapple as well as with the bucket.



My bucket is 72" so I put 2 on. It can pick up odd shaped objects because the independent jaws close down on the object at different points to hold it securely.




I have a toothbar also so I can pick up large amounts of brush and pop out trees and shrubs with the toothbar/bucket combo. But I think a dedicated grapple would have a larger capacity because they don't have the side lip of the bucket. On the flip side, the side lip also allows me to hold even small diameter logs tightly for sawing since the bucket grapple closes with little gap.



I overcome getting a bunch of dirt while grabbing shrubs and brush by using the "clamshell" method. That is I open the grapples up and fully dump the bucket. Then lower on top of the pile and grab using the true 3rd function WR Long valve that allows both grapple and bucket curl to close simultaneously like a clam shell. This leaves the dirt on the ground.



There are many TBN members who love their grapples and 4 in 1 buckets too. And they are certainly worth it. It would be great to have one of each like a 4 in1 bucket and a dedicated grapple since they each have their strong suit. They are ALL great tools. You'll have to figure out which one would suit your needs best.

But if you can only have one, I'd go with a bucket grapple for the versatility it offers, lower cost and the least amount of switching around. I love mine.

 

[crk133]

Looking to see what my options are in purchasing either a Bucket Grapple or Grapple for my B7510.

What are the pro's and con's of using either a Bucket Grapple or Grapple?

My loader has a Markham Toothbar if that makes any difference.

Grapple would mostly for cleaning up brush and trees, no rocks here in Florida.

Cost is also a factor.

Have looked and read alot on the Millzoni grapple and the ATI bucket grapple.... just looking for your thoughts and cost options.

Thanks!

wow what a timely question i was about to post the same thing...only i have a 7610 w/352 loader

my concern about the dedicated grapple besides taking it on/off was the weight it seems the root grapple weight at least 350 or more but if you get the bucket grapple your are looking at near 250 so thats 100lbs more you can lift. and witht the limited left capacity every # helps...anyone have input on that subject?

 

[Hammy]

I've had both and currently have a root grapple. With out a doubt, the root grapple picks things up much easier and is beefier. However, with that said, its nice being able to use the bucket and the grapple at the same time.

It seems when I have my grapple on, I need the bucket for something and then just the opposite when I have my bucket on.

The bucket grapples are nice for having some of each but you also tend to compromise a little. I guess nothings perfect and I wouldn't hesitate to own a bucket grapple again. For what I do though, my grapple works great.

Good luck,
Craig

 

[Hammy]

Hey 3RRL,
What kind of bucket grapples are those?

 

[crk133]

i am leaning towards getting the ati bolt on grapple as opposed to the thumb type the ati is ~32" in width, the thumb versions all seem to be 18" or so. the added width would seem to be of more benefit......does this line of thinking make sense or am i over analyzing it?

 

[PSDStu]

IMHO, a bucket grapple is one of the most versatile combinations you can have. But like anything else, there will be a lot of opinions on it that may differ than mine.

I thought about buying a dedicated grapple but my fel is not a quick attach type. With the bucket grapples, I've never had to take them off. This was of great importance to me since during my daily chores, I always needed the bucket AND grapples for clearing, moving dirt or rocks, etc.



You can do just about everything with the bucket grapples as you can with a dedicated grapples. Not only that, but it's like a cross between a 4 in 1 bucket and a grapple. Draw back is you get more dirt in the bucket since it's not sifted through like a true grapple that has tines on the bottom. On the other hand, you can't move buckets of dirt with the dedicated grapple as well as with the bucket.



My bucket is 72" so I put 2 on. It can pick up odd shaped objects because the independent jaws close down on the object at different points to hold it securely.




I have a toothbar also so I can pick up large amounts of brush and pop out trees and shrubs with the toothbar/bucket combo. But I think a dedicated grapple would have a larger capacity because they don't have the side lip of the bucket. On the flip side, the side lip also allows me to hold even small diameter logs tightly for sawing since the bucket grapple closes with little gap.



I overcome getting a bunch of dirt while grabbing shrubs and brush by using the "clamshell" method. That is I open the grapples up and fully dump the bucket. Then lower on top of the pile and grab using the true 3rd function WR Long valve that allows both grapple and bucket curl to close simultaneously like a clam shell. This leaves the dirt on the ground.



There are many TBN members who love their grapples and 4 in 1 buckets too. And they are certainly worth it. It would be great to have one of each like a 4 in1 bucket and a dedicated grapple since they each have their strong suit. They are ALL great tools. You'll have to figure out which one would suit your needs best.

But if you can only have one, I'd go with a bucket grapple for the versatility it offers, lower cost and the least amount of switching around. I love mine.

Thanks for all the input 3RRL, I have been reading and watching all your posts and I appreciate the time and effort you put into your response!

I am really leaning towards the ATI bucket grapple as being the best for what I have planned. It looks like when all is said and done it will be most effective for my needs!

Stu

 

[3RRL]

That's great to hear Stu and I'm sure you will be very happy with it. It's even better to hear that you've been able to fit it to your needs....this is the most important thing of all. Thank you for reading some of my threads too.
Congratulations.

Hi Hammy,
Those are Andy Tatro bucket grapples.
Since purchasing those almost 2 years ago, I've designed a bucket grapple for Gugliols here. I took the good features from my grapples and added a few extras. I was able to do this once I found out what was most important for my use after about 200 hours of practice.
If you'd like to see those, go here:

FEL Grapple from Scratch

 

[Hammy]

I'm not saying the ATI is a bad grapple but it isn't a heavy duty model by any means. I'm sure it would be fine for assisting with picking stuff up but don't try and back rake or pop out small young stumps. I had about 2 hours on mine and it was toast.

For picking up brush, slash and such it should hold up but I'm not the only one with a failure. Do a search on them and you will see. I posted some pictures a few weeks ago of what mine looked like.

To give ATI credit though, they did buy it back and said it was under spec'ed for a machine of my size.

I like the design of 3RRL's because it looks more like a clam shell type.