Grapple Grapple for pulling out fence posts?

[Glowplug]

I'm in the opposite position. I move a lot of dirt and move whole logs around. I bought the 4n1 bucket. I pulled out some fencing that I had been avoiding for the last three years. Pretty slick.

However, I have a couple of brush piles to be moved and I am trying to figure out how to convince the wife that I need to spend a couple thousand more dollars. I started moving brush with the 4n1 and quickly got frustrated.

If you have the cash to buy the 4n1, I think you find uses for it. Even for strait dirt moving, it is a better tool. It doesn't replace a grapple though.

Hey, you don't happen to live in Kentucky do you? Maybe we could trade for a while!

 

[QRTRHRS]

I had the same situation, about a mile of fence posts I want to get out of the ground.

I considered buying this thing:
http://www.koykermfg.com/Manuals/PostPuller.pdf

... but wanted to try yanking them out with a chain and slip hook first. I found the chain snatch really only worked on smaller posts that I had first loosened up by pushing them around with the FEL. And as mentioned above, it was a hassle getting on and off to rig up the chain on each post (then un-rig it when I was done.

My old fence was well built. The farmer who built it put the thick ends of the posts in the ground and after 30 years of settling, those black locusts posts weren't going any where. Ultimately I had to settle for just pushing the posts over with my FEL. Sure it left the post holes a little larger than if I could have yanked them straight up, but a holes a hole, and I'll have to fill it anyway.

I would not want all of that stress on the side of my bucket with the koykermfg setup. I prefer to hook a chain to the center hook welded on my bucket or wrap around my forks with the forks slid together in the center.

I like using the bucket better because I can tension the chain with the lift cylinders then roll the bucket back to pull on the post. The bucket roll has more power and control.

If I had a lot of posts to pull, I would try to do the job when the ground is saturated if possible. I have a chain with a closed hook on one end and an open hook on the other. The closed hook allows me to secure the chain to my bucket and the open hook cinches up tightly on a post.

 

[jmc]

Or for a different approach- maybe drive a 3/8 or 1/2 inch diameter lag screw into each post with a cordless drill, leaving about an inch sticking out. Then lift the post with the lip of your bucket catching the bolt? With enough screws, you could stay on the tractor.

John

 

[Eagleview]

A small chain with a hook on one end wrapped around the 2 center lower teeth on the grapple creates a pinch point for pulling posts . I have used this method on my grapple . Go over post with grab tilted down , close clamp , tilt back to jam post and lift . Move tractor forward or back a little which loosens the post if need be .

 

[dangerdoc]

Hey, you don't happen to live in Kentucky do you? Maybe we could trade for a while!

I could use an equipment buddy but alas, I live in Kansas.

 

[IslandTractor]

How about chaining a good sized log or stump into the grapple and then using the upper grapple jaw to press the fence post against the log/stump to grasp it and then lift. Not elegant but it might work.

 

[Rara Avis]

I would not want all of that stress on the side of my bucket with the koykermfg setup. I prefer to hook a chain to the center hook welded on my bucket or wrap around my forks with the forks slid together in the center.

I like using the bucket better because I can tension the chain with the lift cylinders then roll the bucket back to pull on the post. The bucket roll has more power and control.

If I had a lot of posts to pull, I would try to do the job when the ground is saturated if possible. I have a chain with a closed hook on one end and an open hook on the other. The closed hook allows me to secure the chain to my bucket and the open hook cinches up tightly on a post.

Ditto...