Grapple Grapple Options

[93Mustang]

Getting a W.R. valve installed this week in preparation for a grapple of some sort. Have bee doing a ton of reading on the subject- what I would like is a combo rock bottom(for smaller to medium size rocks-rock I want to sift out) with grapple that would be light enough to remain effective on my 300cx loader. Markham seems to be the hands down winner on this site- thoughts? Ati and others make options as well. Just haven't seen quite the rock bottom/grapple I am looking for?

 

[jlsmith]

Go to W.R.Long the 4N1 Bucket People and check out some of their grappels. if i can be any help with the prices just let me know.
Jeremy :thumbsup:

 

[kennyd]

Call Mellisa at Markham...they will build it to your specs by adding in tines to the bottom. Available in the JDQA setup as well.

 

[PHS79]

Are you looking for something like this, only in a smaller size? Heavy duty grapple for skidsteer

 

[93Mustang]

Yup - That is what I am looking for - with maybe slightly longer tines on the bottom to form more of a regular bucket length - but spaced like that with the teeth facing down. And definitely lighter - probably with just one grapple. Do you know who makes something like that? Did send an email to Markham today regarding their setup so will see what comes of that as well. Will also follow up with WR Long - I am having their diverter valve installed. Not sure they will ship to a residence. Makes it easier for me if they would.

 

[PHS79]

That grapple is actually my fathers, he is now selling it since he has retired and has sold he Bobcat. He had it custom made by a custom fab welding shop 8 or so years ago, he used it for removing concrete and blacktop demolition, also for grubbing out trees and removing brush. Dads grapple is very heavy, weighs roughly 700-800lbs, being that it is made mainly from 3/4" plate and 3/4" dia rod.

If I were you go to a welding shop that does custom fab work, talk to them and see if they will work up a price for you. I would think that for the tractor you have and also for what you want to use it for you could have it made out of 3/8" plate and 1/2 dia rod.

 

[foggy1111]

I just bought a Markham 48" LD grapple a few weeks ago. I bought extra bars in the bottom to prevent things from falling through. I am sure they would put still more bars in the bottom to suit your needs.

While those skid steer buckets are nice....the may get a bit heavy for tractor applications....thus using up all the tractors lifting ability on iron...instead of rocks and trees.

 

[93Mustang]

Foggy, how many tines did you add? Wonder how much each weighs? I am trying to balance weight with added functionality. I have a lot of "smaller" rocks to sift through and move. Did email Markham and waiting for a response. Will try to call them tomorrow if I do not hear back.

Does anyone have a purpose made rock bucket and can guestamate spacing or have thoughts regarding a good compromise. Also wondering about upward vs downward facing teeth? Thank you all for your thoughts on this.

 

[IslandTractor]

To balance weight and still add extra tines you might specify that some of the extra tines are of lighter gauge and mounted half inch or so below the heavier tines so they will really just function as a screen rather than take any of the load weight.

I agree that Markham is the way to go as they already have a basic grapple for a great price and they have shown willingness to make semi custom changes with no hassle.

Just make sure you specify the right hydraulic connectors. They tend to supply flat connectors (skidsteer style) and most of us use Pioneer style connectors.

 

[foggy1111]

Foggy, how many tines did you add? Wonder how much each weighs? I am trying to balance weight with added functionality. I have a lot of "smaller" rocks to sift through and move. Did email Markham and waiting for a response. Will try to call them tomorrow if I do not hear back.

Does anyone have a purpose made rock bucket and can guestamate spacing or have thoughts regarding a good compromise. Also wondering about upward vs downward facing teeth? Thank you all for your thoughts on this.

I added one extra tine between each standard tine. They only extend to the round pipe...thus keeping your dig and root scarifying ability of the tines. I belive they are now about six inches apart. I imagine they add 50 lbs of weight or so. AND....as Island said....specify your connectors. I got the flat ones with mine and had to cut em off and put on Pioneers. (you'd think they would know that the JD mount would need JD couplers.....but Nooo.) Markham charged me $100 for the extra bars welded to the grapple.

The round "pipe" is designed to provide flotation when using the teeth tips to scarify the land.....thus, when angled correctly, they prevent over penetration. (or so it is said....I have not used mine yet....as I am sidelined from back surgery...but it makes sense to me)

 

[foggy1111]

more pics so you get idea of size and mounts of the Markham. I think it looks huge in this first pic.....maybe the camera angle? The 48" grapple measures about 52" IIRC.

 

[KRBrouwer]

more pics so you get idea of size and mounts of the Markham. I think it looks huge in this first pic.....maybe the camera angle? The 48" grapple measures about 52" IIRC.

I got my grapple from Markham with the narrow width (18") upper grapple. I probably saved a little weight, and it does let me pick up rocks with more precision. It still does a great job on brush.

Ken

 

[93Mustang]

Thank you for the info. I did talk to Gator (Markham) today and they will install up to 8 extra tines in the bucket bottom on the 48" light duty grapple. There was a little confusion regarding the proper bucket bracket for my loader but Thanks to foggy's pictures I think we got that straightened out. Will also make sure i get the correct hydraulic connectors as well. Price seems reasonable and I think the tine width (i guess about 3.5" spacing) will work well. Am getting nervous about the weight as the extra tines would add at least 60 lbs, pushing total weight near 500lbs. Didn't realize I had grapple options so I will ask about that tomorrow. Probably going to go this route unless a better alternative surfaces in the next day or so. Very much appreciate the advice, guidance and the pictures. Can't say that enough.

 

[foggy1111]

I hope it works out for you. That 300 CX Loader should do fine with the few extra lbs of tines...IMO. That loader is rated up to about 1800 lbs of lift....if I remember right. Compared to my previous loader....this 300 CX is the real deal!!

I would not get more than one cylinder and one grapple and would not go any wider....from EVERYTHING I have read on this subject. If you do this....and get the JD mounts and JD connectors you will be fine....regardless of how many tines you put in the grapple bottom.

Good luck!!

 

[kennyd]

I would get the hoses and QD's locally, they (Gator) should offer a small discount if they do not include them...You only need 1/4" hoses and I think they supply 3/8".

 

[foggy1111]

I would get the hoses and QD's locally, they (Gator) should offer a small discount if they do not include them...You only need 1/4" hoses and I think they supply 3/8".

My recent grapple order was for a grapple with JD mounts....that part worked out OK....and the hoses were 1/4" (fine) but the couplers were the flat face type that you find on a Skid Steer. I decided that I would just cut off the hoses and put Pioneer Couplers on.....rather than try to send stuff back and wait. The hoses were pretty long anyway.....something else to specify or alter.

Actually I did not know that I was going to get hoses and couplers....so I never bothered to talk about 'em. But as I pointed out in another thread.....it seems to me that if your going to furnish JD mounts then you gotta realize that the customer probably wants JD style (Pioneer) couplers. Or at least they could ask the customer.....NO?

 

[IslandTractor]

I guess they still focus on skid steers which explains the flat connectors. Also, Melissa, Mark and Allan no longer have any association with what us now Gator Attachments so it is a new crew that requires education on Pioneer style qc for tractor sales.

 

[ManAtArms]

My recent grapple order was for a grapple with JD mounts....that part worked out OK....and the hoses were 1/4" (fine) but the couplers were the flat face type that you find on a Skid Steer. I decided that I would just cut off the hoses and put Pioneer Couplers on.....rather than try to send stuff back and wait. The hoses were pretty long anyway.....something else to specify or alter.

Actually I did not know that I was going to get hoses and couplers....so I never bothered to talk about 'em. But as I pointed out in another thread.....it seems to me that if your going to furnish JD mounts then you gotta realize that the customer probably wants JD style (Pioneer) couplers. Or at least they could ask the customer.....NO?

Same thing happened to me on my recent Markham grapple purchase...I got flat faced connectors. After I ordered it I called to ask which ones were being shipped, the person I spoke to didn't know. Needless to say I had to go out and buy pioneer fittings. On the positive side, I asked for extra tines to be welded into the bottom for picking up split firewood...they welded it up in ONE day and shipped it out. I got the custom grapple in less than a week. Very speedy.

-Mark

 

[jake98]

I use one of each connector up front. Can't hook it up backward that way.
(making believe I did that on purpose, rather than just being too cheap to buy two..)

 

[93Mustang]

Well I ordered the Markham 48 LD grapple with 2 extra set of tines, 1/4 in hose, JDQA and the correct connectors. I really appreciate all the help as I would not have known to ask for any of the specifics! Hope everything works out. Really looking forward to the grapple. Now hopefully I get the tractor back from the dealer post hydraulic diverter install before the grapple arrives!