Compact Tractors W/ Grapple

[HamishMacCheap]

I am considering the purchase of a compact tractor with a front end loader but with a grapple rather than a bucket. I have not yet begun to visit dealerships but before I do that, is it possible to purchase such a tractor with a grapple rather than a bucket or is the bucket a standard attachment to the front end loader?

Will a compact tractor, such a Kubota BX series or a John Deere Series 2 tractor, require some sort of rear weight(s) if a grapple is used?

Thanx - Hamish

 

[tacticalturnip]

Your bucket comes standard, and would be the attachment to have on if you ever remove the loader itself. That said, you're now open to a whole world of grapples; different styles, different brands, it's your choice. There are even mechanical grapples, but those aren't recommended for use with Deere loaders.

With regards to weight, no matter the machine you're going to want ballast. Filled rear tires are a good start, but to really counter the weight you'll be carrying you'll want something on the 3 point hitch. I keep my box blade attached because it doesn't stick out too far for me, but if space is a big concern a ballast box may be the solution.

 

[ericm979]

Many loaders now come with Skid Steer Quick Attach so you can easily swap bucket for grapple or another implement.

The grapple will need some hydraulics to operate. Either a third function or a diverter (usually run off the loader joystick dump/curl control). You can use a rear remote and some long hoses but unlike the other two you will have to move your hand from the loader joystick to the rear remote lever to run the grapple.

I'll second the recommendation for a counter weight on the rear when using a grapple.

 

[check 6]

I use my land pride grapple on the BX far more than the bucket. For rear weight I keep the box blade on the three point and have suitcase weights to hang on it should I need more ballast. Strongly recommend a third function set up rather than a diverted valve

 

[HamishMacCheap]

Thanks to all who responded above.

I have owned six tractors, all either John Deere or Kubota, but none have had a front end loader and I have never used a front end loader.

After reading the above comments, does this mean that the joystick controls the front end loader but a third function is necessary to make the grapple open and close? Where is this generally incorporated/located?

 

[2manyrocks]

Generally, either a manual or electric solenoid controlled diverter valve is added to the joystick control. Kubota sells them. There are others you can add yourself. Examples:

Remote Hydraulic & Hitch Kits | Tractor Innovations

Tractor Innovations Remote Hydraulic Kits for Kubota, John Deere, Ford New Holland, Mahindra, Bobcat, Kioti and other tractor brands. 3 Point Hitch Kits for Farmall Cub. Custom ready to Plug & Play. Made in USA.

www.tractorinnovations.com

Third Function Kits - Summit Hydraulics

summit-hydraulics.com

 

[WM75Guy]

W. R. Long makes a good 3rd function kit. Many dealers around here use it to add a 3rd function. My NH WM75 came with a 3rd function from the factory, although it is a diverter valve mounted on the loader, not a true 3rd function. Pushing the button on the joystick switches to open/close instead of dump/curl.

W.R. Long, Inc. | 3rd Function Valve Kit

 

[fc1]

...none have had a front end loader and I have never used a front end loader.

You're in for a treat; they're incomprehensibly useful. I started with a Little Buck on my JD445 and now have a 40hp Kubota with 1500# of lift (+ ballast box).
Grapple is installed 95% of the time, bucket 3.5%, balance forks.

 

[2manyrocks]

I have a MTL 4' grapple on my L2501 which has been on it 99% of the time over the past 2-3 years except the one time when I needed to move a load of gravel with the bucket. It depends on what work you routinely need to do.

Another option is to add grapple forks to the bucket itself. The problem with that is a lot of time the material is too wide to fit inside the bucket, but that is an option.

 

[oosik]

Twelve years ago I bought my Land Pride SGC1560 grapple and WR Long 3rd function valve from the local Kubota dealer. I've never switched back to the bucket.

If you get a grapple and a true 3rd function valve - you will get a new joy stick with the package. There will be two buttons or a toggle switch on the new joy stick. This buttons or switch will control the open/close function of the grapple. I'm not familiar with the plumbing on a diverter valve setup.

The 3rd function on mine is on the rear vertical loader riser. Tucked into the riser with all the necessary plumbing. Pictures........

 

[oosik]

And now my song and dance about upgrading your OEM grill guard. With a grapple - the chances of damage to your radiator, grill or battery increase substantially. You will be gathering and transporting loads of limbs, sticks, stobs, crap - etc. Simply being very careful isn't going to cut it. Having the local welding shop upgrade my grill guard cost me - $175. Sticks and limbs have become stuck in mine. So - I know its protective function is working. Picture......

 

[oosik]

BTW- my M6040 has 775 pounds of RimGuard in each rear tire and my 1050 pound Rhino rear blade on the 3-point. Sufficient for me to routinely lift 2500 pounds with the grapple. And - rarely, under the right conditions - up to 3200 pounds.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I'm another happy WR Long user.

Have the tractors hydraulics plumbed when you buy it, it'll never be easier and potentially cheaper than lumping it into the final sale.

 

[Racenut]

A grapple is the whole reason I started considering a tractor. I saw one being used and decided it would be incredibly useful. And it has been. Loaders usually come with a bucket but a dealer may be willing to deal. My grapple is on the tractor 95% of the time but I wouldn't want to not have a bucket, it comes in handy sometimes. Get a real 3rd function, if you use it a lot, it really makes it easier.

 

[Thomas]

Ask the dealer if you can swap,bucket will come handy on number of projects tho.
Counter balance loaded tires for the grapple also bucket better traction also safer.

 

[ning]

Last time I was on the kubota website doing the "build your tractor" I'm pretty sure the bucket is a line item that you can leave off, though perhaps it was just "choose at least one" of the following as they have different buckets you can buy the tractor with. I'd imagine that the dealer would be able to leave it off the build sheet, particularly if you buy the grapple from them.

Personally I suspect if you get a loader and a grapple, you're going to find relatively soon that you really wouldn't mind having a bucket, too. And forks. And...

 

[HamishMacCheap]

oosik =

Your tractor photo is exactly what I have in mind, although it is not a compact tractor.

I think I want a compact tractor with less than 25 HP (maybe 23 or 24 HP) so that I can avoid emissions controls. I have a JD 304D and it has diesel particulate filter (or whatever it is called) and although it doesn't particularly bother me, I think it is just something else to go wrong.

Thanks to all who contributed, the comments are helpful and appreciated.

 

[paulsharvey]

Keep in mind grapples are heavy generally, and with something like a BX or a JD-2025, you aren't starting with much lift capacity. 1023 lbs at the pins, then a 610# standard duty, 5 ft grapple; you have less than 400# usable capacity. Some of the "Economy" 48" models are right around 400lbs, leaving around 600# in capacity.

 

[tacticalturnip]

My Kioti sits under the DPF limit and is amongst the largest tractors that do. Basically all the manufacturers sell a machine in this class. Examples include the TYM 2515, Kubota L2502, and Deere 3025E.

Machines in this frame size will give you the hydraulic capability of their 30-40 horsepower brothers with the simplicity of no DPF; on the flip side, they do everything a little slower. This may be something to consider given your primarily concern is loader work; they'll all take a 3rd function kit.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I added the third function to my Kioti. I'm not a mechanic but watched some you tubes, read some helps and it took me about 2 hrs if I remember correctly. I LOVE my grapple. The bucket... not so much. It is useful for hauling/moving gravel around and scraping my driveway.

I opted to build a 1000# ballast box. 55 gallon barrel , I stuffed I think it was two 4" pvc pipes into the concrete I filled it with. Put a cap on it to keep rain water out. Its heavy and works great. I didn't want to use ballast in the tires as I didn't want to compact the soil in my vineyard/orchard/garden etc. I can take it off when its not needed.

Second the motion about the grill guard. I pushed a limb through my lower radiator hose outlet on the radiator.