Grapple Bucket

BobRip · Nov 25, 2004

I would like to start a little discussion on the Grapple Bucket. When I initially went up to Tazewell I was looking for what is now called a 4 in 1 bucket. That is was I thought they meant when they called it a grapple bucket. These were pre-pictures on Internet days so I could not look at it until I got there. When I saw it I was not sure that it would be cost effective, but I bought it anyway. I have found it to be one of the most effective buckets that Power-Trac sells. Its regular use as a bucket is OK, no real issues except it sometimes leaves a little streak in the drive way when you drag it backwards. The rock teeth are helpful in moving gravel. It can easily grab a pile of brush and reduce it to nothing in a few trips. The width of pickup is usually limited by the width of the path, and I routinely pickup 15 to 20 foot wide bundles. After hurricane Isabel I tried loading my trailer and hauling material to the burn pile. This was OK, but unloading and loading took a lot of time since the branches became entagled. Loading and unloading the grapple bucket is very quick. If you want to load more into it, get an assistant to compact the material into the bucket, of course staying away from the grappling arms. Due to the low density of brush and tree branches the lift limit of the PT422 does not really come into play. You probably end up handling brush a lot more that you think making this a failry routine use. One work of caution, I was picking up a large log one day and only one of the three arms grabbed the log. This bent the arm and I had to straighten it using a torch and come along. The log was mostly sticking out one side of the bucket, so this was a very abusive situation.

FOURTEEN · Nov 26, 2004

"" only one of the three arms grabbed the log. This bent the arm ""

Do you have this model from the PT Website
or this one >>

While I was still shopping for a Power Trac, I studied the Website photo and determined that the arms appeared flimsy, and I designed various ways that they could be reinforced. Having purchased my PT-425 in 2/4, I received it only to discover that PT had already reinforced the arms!! I have had no problem lifting anything, even grabbing logs or branches by their end with one fang and lifting or dragging them! Once I did bend the tip of a fang laterally about an inch, but a few swats with my sledge hammer had the fang back in line and good as new!!

I was surprised to discover that the bucket does not need to be scooped under a load or curled upward to carry it! The Grapple Bucket actually can lift the most when the bucket is curled fully downward because the CG is then closest to the PT!!

The Grapple Bucket also makes a safe, effective, and comfortable Man Lift >>

A modification of mine, which is still in the design phase, would weld a 1/4" or 1/2" x 3" flat plate across the inside of the fang tips. This would facilitate picking up small or short objects that otherwise would fall between the fang tips, like the last few branches of a brush pile or pile of leaves, but not hinder it primary usage.

Anyway the Grapple Bucket is indeed a most useful attachment, and is indispensable for woods work!!

BobRip · Nov 26, 2004

I have the Grapple Bucket from the PT website. I have considered adding a plate like you are adding. My concern is that I will add it and then find it interferes with something I normally do. Please let me know how you like this modification once it is done. I think the advantage is when you are grabbing mud with roots in it. It would keep the roots from pulling the mud out as you lift the bucket.