Grapple Grapple came today

[IslandTractor]

They change their prices periodically but they also price differently depending on the attachment fittings. QA skid steer is cheapest as I recall and they charge a bit more for specific tractor pin ear fittings.

I don't know for sure that this TBN discount exists but you could try. I know they have given pretty good prices to people who mention TBN but it is hard to tell exactly what they are doing (other than slowly raising prices as they seem to have figured out they don't have much price competition with the 48" model).

I got mine at their first eBay auction for a very low price 18 months ago. I think I've seen prices in the 800 plus shipping range quoted in the last month or so but that might have been a QA version.

 

[curly]

I just received an email from John Kennedy at Millonzi. (for the 48 inch grapple) They want $970 plus estimated 150+ for freight. I did not mention I saw it on TBN. Is the TBN discount for real, or are you guys pulling my leg? If it is for real, that would make the price $727 or so. Plus 150+ freight. BTW, this was for it built with the JD quick-tach scheme on the back, which is very simple. He forwarded a PDF of a drawing showing the JD dimensions, so they seem to be familiar with it. This seems very expensive to me, for what you are getting. And I know the productivity of the grapple, 'cause I have a homemade one already.

When I talked to them (and I talked to several of them at different times), someone asked how I heard about them. When I told the TBN, I was quoted a price, and then the TBN price, which was 25% lower. And that was just within a few weeks. But I don't remember the price now, and it was for one of the HD models anyways.

 

[curly]

I got the new conectors today...hope to get them on tonight when I get home. Update soon, hopefully a pic of a grapple having dinner

If not, a pic of me with a big frown.

 

[bjcsc]

Good. I was curious as to how you were making out...

 

[curly]

Well, I took the old connectors off and put the new ones on and tadaaa...we have grapple They weren't a match for sure and I guess the female may be defective (or may not) because it unscrews at the sleeve.

But anyways, they connected like they was meant to, with absolutely no problem.

But now, the left claw makes a lot of noise and seems slower than the right. The left one is the one that closes last. Could there be air in the lines or anything causing that?

Preciate all the tips and hints.

 

[IslandTractor]

If it is air then opening and closing a dozen times or so should work that out.

 

[curly]

If it is air then opening and closing a dozen times or so should work that out.

I'll try that.

Is there a certain RPM for working the hydralics? Is it faster the higher RPM? Should you ever have to think about RPMS while working grapple/bucket/etc on the front?

 

[SkunkWerX]

Curly,

In general, hydraulics work much better in the top 1/3rd or 1/4th of the RPM range. That's when the pump is putting out near it's highest flow/pressure.

Skidsteers (Bobcats) manuals tell you to run them at Full RPM, period.
At low rpms you will notice the grapple opening and closing slower, just like your bucket raise & curl ewould do at lower rpms.

I won't say you need to run wide-open all the time, but consider the load, if it's fairly large, I would say run near your recommended working top end, which is also usually the range that gives the 540 rpm at the rear PTO.

I guess , pretty much, operate it like you do your loader bucket. On mine small loads can be OK at about 2600 rpm, but for good sized loads I goose it on up to around 3000rpm and it smiles.
(of course, it depends on your tractors working rpm range).

Have fun, and report back with some action photos!!

really glad to hear you got this one solved!! (and cheap, too)

 

[IslandTractor]

I'll try that.

Is there a certain RPM for working the hydralics? Is it faster the higher RPM? Should you ever have to think about RPMS while working grapple/bucket/etc on the front?

For general grapple work I keep RPMs around 2000. I'll bump up the RPMs occasionally when I need max loader lift power but then I'll drop back again to 2000.

I suppose the opening/closing of the grapple would be faster at higher RPM but that is rarely a significant operational consideration.