Grapple Opinions Again

ch1ch2 · Jan 24, 2019

My grapple has bottom tines that are pipe with points. I have slide 2" pipe over the grapple pipes and made it into a fork lift if you will.
I had an 8x12 shed that I needed to move and it did the job. I did take of the lid off the grapple in order to get the shed on the pipe the farthest.

Another time a tree had fallen on that same shed and I had to replace the roof. Same thing I went in the front and took off the roof in one peace using 2 - 20' pipes

AllDodge · Jan 24, 2019

ch1ch2 said:
My grapple has bottom tines that are pipe with points. I have slide 2" pipe over the grapple pipes and made it into a fork lift if you will.
I had an 8x12 shed that I needed to move and it did the job. I did take of the lid off the grapple in order to get the shed on the pipe the farthest.

Another time a tree had fallen on that same shed and I had to replace the roof. Same thing I went in the front and took off the roof in one peace using 2 - 20' pipes

Sure do like multi purpose tools, and that worked out pretty good

Geotech · Jan 26, 2019

I have the clam shell type. Didn't plan to dig with it, but find myself digging the tines into the ground quite often to grub up roots. Running the rake through dirt isn't going to cause more stress to the loader arms than shoving a bucket in. The L style types will carry more stuff around on their flat bottom, but I think each type are pretty comparable in ability to grab and transport piles of cut brush.

Xfaxman · Jan 26, 2019

Geotech said:
I have the clam shell type. Didn't plan to dig with it, but find myself digging the tines into the ground quite often to grub up roots. Running the rake through dirt isn't going to cause more stress to the loader arms than shoving a bucket in. The L style types will carry more stuff around on their flat bottom, but I think each type are pretty comparable in ability to grab and transport piles of cut brush.

Small cut brush piles, maybe but raked up dead brush not with mine. Once the clamshell compresses the pile, stuff falls out the bottom:

oosik · Jan 26, 2019

AllDodge - your FEL should be at least as strong as the one on my M6040. Look in your FEL 0P Manual at the lift charts. Don't go by what is listed for the capacity under the general info page. The CENTER of my grapple is 12" forward of the pivot pins. The "heavy position" lift chart shows I can lift 4300 pounds at a point 16" forward of the pivot pins and 8" off the ground. I have a HEAVY DUTY Land Pride SGC1560 grapple @ 820#. 4300# minus 820# equals 3480 pounds.

All of the general info on lift is at a position 24" or even 36" forward of the pivot pins and 30" off the ground. Makes a GREAT, HUGE difference. I'm 12" forward of the pivot pins and 4" off the ground when I do really heavy lifting.

I've easily lifted 3000# without any strain on the FEL system. I'm just super careful and get a load this heavy about 4" off the ground. Kind of like knuckle dragging. Anything above 3000# and I'm going to need more than the 1550# of Rim Guard & 1100# Rhino rear blade on the 3-point.

My "normal" load is 2500# or less. The heavy loads are chunks of gigantic Ponderosa pine or large boulders. I have developed weight charts for both pine and rock from research on the internet. So, I always know, within a hundred pound, what the load will weigh before I tackle it.

View attachment 588866

ovrszd · Jan 26, 2019

I built mine on a Bobcat LoPro bucket. Dual lid.

I greatly prefer a solid bottom. I very rarely use my FEL bucket.

Bigpuddie · Jan 26, 2019

To the OP, you dont want that grapple with a 9540...way too light. It has 3/8" steel. You want something with 1/2" steel and dual lids. I have a 78" Tomahawk. Best bang for the buck. Greasable hinges, 1/2"steel, very well built. I paid $1250 in Pa.

ovrszd · Jan 26, 2019

Good point. Don't make the mistake of trying to save weight and end up with a Grapple that your tractor will overpower. A tremendous amount of force is exerted in Grapple use.