Grapple for DK-40se/hst; best unit for $

[RADIUM]

That's very interesting I'm not quite sure how you got that out of his explanation anyway if I can get my brother Peter to chime in he'll explain his interpretation of a light grapple as I explained earlier he has a 5000 series John Deere comparable size to my 2420 both machines weigh a little over 5000 pounds after one year he ended up welding plate on the bottom to keep the tines from spreading LOL that's what inspired me to buy the Bradco and spend a little more money. I'm looking at the W R Long 72 inch root grapple physically lighter than what I have now 665 pounds quite a large opening to grab materials. The price I was quoted $2600 which includes the two hoses, anyone else get a price on a unit like this one? thanks again and take care

RBG

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Nah, they popped off a poorly designed/fabricated JD mount and that resulted in some damage to the tractor. The grapple was strong enough that the mount broke, so I'd say that says something about "light duty" grapples.

I agree with Foggy that Gator/Markham screwed the pooch on the adapter though. I think JD is the only mount they make other than the standard skid steer. Should have stuck with the basics they know as both Gator/Markham originated as skidsteer implement companies. The skidsteer mount is far stronger than the JD mount can ever be. The JD mount is two independent attachment points with no cross bracing at all and only a few inches of contact with a rounded receiver. The standard skidsteer mount not only has a v shaped contact point which is less likely to pop out but is wider and has a plate that links the two FEL attachment points therefore distributing the load better when an off center force is placed on the implement. If Gator had built a heavy duty grapple for Foggy but used the same adapter it would have failed just the same way. The adapter is the weak link and when Foggy did not realize he had an asymmetric load it gave way.

Island, there is no question that gator dropped the ball here. As you well know(as the godfather of the grapple world) the Millonzi design had reinforced top saddles. Gator basically picked up Millonzi's share of the cut market, so they already were past the learning curve. But it's really sad that they tried to cut corners on a $2 worth of material. No look at what it cost Froggy.

Matt

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree Matt.

 

[Coyote machine]

I say this regarding the Gator/JD mounting system. Call Gator and tell them what happened and see if they are or would be willing to pay a local welder to fix the problem and then give them what insight you have from using the grapple as to what to do to improve its design, especially for the JD attachment method. This serves not only the operator but also the future buyers of the grapple.

Now could we get this thread back on track, please?!:thumbsup:

 

[CurlyDave]

That's very interesting I'm not quite sure how you got that out of his explanation anyway if I can get my brother Peter to chime in he'll explain his interpretation of a light grapple as I explained earlier he has a 5000 series John Deere comparable size to my 2420 both machines weigh a little over 5000 pounds after one year he ended up welding plate on the bottom to keep the tines from spreading LOL that's what inspired me to buy the Bradco and spend a little more money. I'm looking at the W R Long 72 inch root grapple physically lighter than what I have now 665 pounds quite a large opening to grab materials. The price I was quoted $2600 which includes the two hoses, anyone else get a price on a unit like this one? thanks again and take care

RBG

Take a look at these guys: Skid Steer loader attachments

I have a grapple from them and have been very satisfied with it. I have not been gentle with it, but no heroic efforts either.

 

[RADIUM]

Dave thanks for the heads up some nice quality attachments there price are very reasonable , however I didn't see what I'm looking for I have a grapple I need something that opens wider to grab more material here is a picture of exactly what I want to buy, it's on a smaller tractor probably just for display purposes take care

 

[IslandTractor]

Dave thanks for the heads up some nice quality attachments there price are very reasonable , however I didn't see what I'm looking for I have a grapple I need something that opens wider to grab more material here is a picture of exactly what I want to buy, it's on a smaller tractor probably just for display purposes take care

The WRLong RBG clamshells are very nice though heavy. The RBG2 line is a bit lighter and doesn't open quite as wide but is still a clamshell. Both cost at least double what the light duty standard grapples do.

I appreciate the focus on a clamshell for picking up lots of smaller stuff or brush but would point out that while in theory the clamshell should have an advantage in brush pickup, in practice there is not really that much difference. See a few example photos below of brush picked up by a 48 inch standard grapple with a single 18 inch upper jaw. The theoretical advantage of the clamshell disappears somewhat when brush is "sticky" as most slash and cuttings are. Holding the middle of a pile with the upper jaw does a good job of securing a load that is quite a bit bigger than the width of the grapple itself. Balance that against the disadvantage of the clamshell which is that only the upper jaw holds things in place on a clamshell, there is no added benefit of just plain gravity which does help hold big bulky loads in a standard root grapple. A standard root grapple for example can hold a variety of different sized logs/trees in a single bite/load as you simply cram the load in and then shut the grapple to hold it in place. With a clamshell if you cram a tree or other object to the back of the grapple it will prevent the upper jaw from closing further than needed to secure that one object. Everything forward of that one tree/log/whatever will then fall out of the grapple. Clamshells are better for picking up small non sticky debris such as cut firewood as individual pieces don't hold together like brush does.

Photos of a light duty standard "root" grapple with single upper jaw: Note especially how brush piles are sticky and a much larger load can be carried than grapple size would indicate. Also, note the photo of the rock resting on the bottom tines with the upper arm simply providing a steadying "thumb". If I tried to pick up that rock with a clamshell I would need to use the full hydraulic pressure on the upper jaw to be able to hold the rock in the grapple. That means that with an asymmetric rock I would be twisting the upper grapple arm.

 

[RADIUM]

nice setup you have there, I see exactly what you're talking about but in my case I have a different situation with the fields being uneven and mounds of tree stumps that my grapple can't get wide enough to grab around and the roots and debris fall through the clamshell have more surface area and I'm not worried about my tractors hydraulics the smallest tractors 12 GPM flow and the larger boys are even more so there will be plenty of clamp power to hold the waste in place, a majority of the trees are all pine trees with large branches the clamshell will work perfect . Next week I'm hoping to borrow one for a few days to give it a try before I invest any more money I'll post some pictures and let you know how it works thanks again and take care

 

[kattywumpus]

I wonder if grapples top the list for the liveliest discussions?

You would think these things were wearing a bikini.

 

[steve0413]

I wonder if grapples top the list for the liveliest discussions?

You would think these things were wearing a bikini.

Definitely lively discussion. You got people like me who feel like the Gator grapple is one of the best purchases I've ever made and others who've had a less than ideal experience with them. I just try to remember that there are those who prefer Chevy's, others hate 'em, some prefer Ford's, others despise them....I've even heard there are those who like our President! just kidding. :laughing:

As for them wearing bikini's, I don't know about that, but when I'm using mine, it is a thing of beauty (and not because of the operator). Hope everyone has a nice weekend.