Thanks Tomseller for info i was wondering about best grapple width and vertical opening size. i will try and keep grapple weight close to 72 inch bucket weight now on loader.
The total weight is an important consideration. But, it's not as important as the width of the grapple as TomSeller mentioned - IMO. My JD110TLB is very comparable to your
L39 and my +900lb 66" grapple doesn't really change what I can lift or dig up. Reason for this is simple, really.
The heavy stuff; stumps, root wads, log bundles are never really lifted to full height for the most part. That stuff stays low... maybe a foot, foot and a half off the ground. Limbs, brush, grass and light debris that you move and pile up and burn, etc. - that stuff is light. Big wads are only 4-500 pounds. So, the lift capacity of the loader is >3,000 at 18" and at full height you've got 1,800lbs even with a 900lb grapple.
But, I've wanted (might still do it) to cut the grapple down to 60" width at least. The reason for this is leverage and twisting of the loader arms with heavy, unbalanced loads that occur often with large, woody debris and rocks, etc. The wider jaw of the grapple allows the load to exert more leverage on the FEL arms and frame. Especially, when the load is not well balanced and one side is heavier than the other.
X2 with TomSeller as well on the jaw/clamp opening dimension. Widest is bestest.
In my experience, the 2-cylinder clamp system works best. Working in the woods or cleaning up debris or rocks, etc. clumps, piles of stuff is uneven across the grapple. A single clamp won't hold onto the low stuff as well and it will drop out/off the grapple.
My $0.02
AKfish
