Do I really need a grapple?

[chas0218]

So I was all set that I wanted a grapple. I have been looking around and figured a root grapple is what I wanted and there wasn't much changing my mind. I got looking at different grapple design then different use grapples, ect. Then came the prices, I was blown away with what I found, there were some on the high end some on the lower end. I have been thinking that I still need a grapple but might try and get away with a set of debris forks.

My reasoning for doubting that I really need is based on working in apple orchards and vineyards over the years. We never used a grapple like never when were picking up and removing clippings/prunings. We always used a buck rake which was similar to the one pictured below but with some 4x4's instead of steel tines. Now call me crazy but for moving brush I don't see a need for a grapple if that is all I'm going to do with it. I do see the plus side of being able to easily pick up large objects like rocks or tree stumps but even then with a buck rake it should be that hard.

So here is what I am getting at. Below you will see a CAD drawing of a set of debris forks utilizing some 24" bale spears with 1350lbs. individual holding/lifting capacity 10" on center for a total length of 66". They are attached to 3" square tube 1/4" wall, do you think this would be strong enough to take some punsihment from a 35hp, 2200lbs. lifting capacity tractor? To build this it would be probably about $400 all said and done not including welding materials. Yes I have seen quite a few grapples for close to this price (about 18" narrower) but the weight of this plus the SSQA plate would be in the 200lbs.-300lbs. range. I feel that would allow for greater lifting ability than a grapple. Also I would add a little bit of a sheild above the SSQA plate to keep debris from coming over the top.

Tell me if I am reinventing the wheel here and if I should just bite the bullet and buy the grapple. All said and done it would be a lot less effort involved with the grapple than building something from scratch.

 

[Peter 315]

Look at this one Landscape rake & manure fork, 9 -17 inch tines 6' wide bracket choice

 

[sandman2234]

Like a lot of attachments, a grapple has a place where it is king and there are places where it isn't worth the money. It really depends on just how much work you do where it is king. For cleaning up after a storm or clearing land where the brush is piled up and burned, there is probably nothing better. When it comes to picking up rocks, even large rocks, a grapple gets less of a high score. I purchased a used M7040 in a package deal where everything was cheaper than if I bought it separately, (a lot cheaper) so I went ahead and got the grapple, although I had my doubts about me using it enough to justify the expense. Turns out it was well worth the money, as I use it quite regularly, and when I use it, it excels in handling brush and tree cleanup.
You will have to consider the work you are doing, and go from there, but you won't be unhappy with it if you are clearing property and need to move brush or trees to a burn pile, move logs to a sawmill, etc.
David from jax

 

[nybirdman]

If you are looking to save weight and money;just add a Thumb& tooth-bar to your bucket.Trying to pick up branches and sticks with out would be a head ache.

 

[EddieWalker]

I went the same route that you are thinking about going with forks. What I found is that they work for a few things, but overall, don't do a very good job at all because everything wants to fall off while you are moving, or even just lifting it up.

The grapple holds what you are trying to carry in place. That is why it's worth the money and such a game changer. It doesn't matter how well you have your load balanced, it will fall off without something to hold it in place. Longer logs are even worse, they twist and spin on you like crazy when driving from one place to another.

 

[3Ts]

You say your experience is with trimmings from an orchard and a grapple was not used. The trimmings also don't weigh much, but are bulky and you're not running the forks thru the soil, just on top to get under the trimmings. OTH if you plan on running the forks into the dirt, you'll need heavier duty grapple. You don't say how you plan to use the grapple, so it's hard to make a recommendation. Also, consider your fabrication skills. This does not seem to be an item where people could get injured so it would be a good item to improve your skills. I would consider the CAD drawing a concept drawing and not a fabrication drawing since it doesn't show how it's attached to the loader arms nor does it (as you mentioned) show the shield.

I vote for finishing up the CAD drawing just to be sure you've thought through all the pieces and part and then building one. I also recommend adding a bar and hydraulic cylinder to compress the brush slightly while you're carrying it to help keep it all together.

 

[TractorGuy]

I built a set of debris forks to bolt into my backhoe bucket. I used 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 1/4 wall and reinforced at the back and bucket edge with 1/2 x 2 flat bar. I caught one of the tines under a stump and ripped it off. Of course my backhoe has about 4 times the lifting capacity of your tractor.

 

[shooterdon]

Picking up stuff without a thumb or clam shell is going to be furstrating...at least for the stuff I do.

MTL makes a decent grapple that is affordable ($1000) and I use it for brush and lifting logs.

One way to reduce cost might be to add a grapple attachment to a set of pallet forks. There is a member here (Sawyer Bob?) who processes a lot of firewood and he has forks with a grapple. His method does not work for me as I need to transport loads up to 6 ft high on my forks.

 

[jeff9366]

Look at this one Landscape rake & manure fork, 9 -17 inch tines 6' wide bracket choice

I wonder how much attachment fittings add to the price?



Here is another: Multi-Spear Ultra Fork

Specify 24" working length.

 

[4570Man]

Forks work half way decent if there’s nothing around. If you’re working around other trees they drag the brush off the forks and they’re about worthless.