Grapple or 4 way bucket? Which one?

[xxxsandman]

I recently bought an Kubota L48 TLB. I'm adding skid steer compatible quick disconnects to it and a 3rd spool option for the loader. I'm going to be getting a new bucket, pallet forks and a grapple of some kind.

I plan on using the grapple for some brush clean up as I clean fence rows out. I will use the bucket a lot for dirt work, like cleaning the barn out, loading manure, grading the drives, etc.

Since I have to get a new bucket (the factory bucket will not attach to the skid steer quick disconnects), I'm considering a 4 way bucket. I listed some of the options below. I would like to here everyone's thoughts on the different options and how they might work. I've never used a grapple before or a 4 way blade, so I might be missing some important points when trying to decide which to get.

Option 1: Get a 4 way bucket
Option 2: Get a "open type" grapple that dirt/small debree can fall through and a dedicated bucket
Option 3: Get a grapple with a solid bottom and a dedicated bucket
Option 4: Get a new dedicated bucket and modify my old to work on my quick disconnects and weld a grapple setup on it.

Does anyone sell a "kit" if I chose to do Option 4?

 

[hazmat]

I have limited experience with options 1 & 2

For Brush work the dedicated open grapple is the way to go.

The 4 way gives you some grading options beyond "backdragging" that don't require you to swap out the hoe for a rear blade or rake. It would be lousy at moving brush - but it would pick up stumps, logs or large rocks.

I'd weld an attachment plate to your old bucket (~$100 + welding costs if you're not equipped) and use that as your dirt bucket & spring for the "open" grapple if you're doing a lot of brush.

If you are doing more dirtwork - you may want to look into the 4 way bucket.

Another option is to add a grapple to a set of forks - I've seen a couple examples here on tbn that looked pretty slick for brush work. Wouldn't work so hot with stumps or rocks though... Make sure you can easily remove the grapple as the forks are real handy to have alone.

A couple companies out there for option 4 search for "tatro" here on tbn or ATI makes one

 

[EddieWalker]

If money wasn't an option, then having a dedicated grapple would be the very best way to go. Moving branches and trees without dirt is by far the very best way to do this. But I think that the 4 in 1 bucket might be cheaper if you're buying a new bucket anyway.

My neighbor has the 4 in 1 bucket and it's very impressive. He has bent it once, but with the torch and large hammer, he got it back in line. What I like is he can pick up a log, a tree or a pile of branches. Carry it to the fire, then come back and move dirt without ever getting out of his seat.

If you take out any trees, then there is a hole to fill after the stump comes out. Being able to haul the tree away is important, but so is filling that hole. Especialy if you have to bring fill dirt from some distance.

And of course, the biggest advantage is not having to change buckets as often.

You can get pallet forks that attach to a bucket, but they are not as good as the ones dedicated to lifting pallets. My thoughts are that you don't need the quick attach system, just a four in one bucket and a set of forks that you can attach to the top of the bucket.

Eddie

 

[3RRL]

I recently bought an Kubota L48 TLB. I'm adding skid steer compatible quick disconnects to it and a 3rd spool option for the loader. I'm going to be getting a new bucket, pallet forks and a grapple of some kind.

I plan on using the grapple for some brush clean up as I clean fence rows out. I will use the bucket a lot for dirt work, like cleaning the barn out, loading manure, grading the drives, etc.

Since I have to get a new bucket (the factory bucket will not attach to the skid steer quick disconnects), I'm considering a 4 way bucket. I listed some of the options below. I would like to here everyone's thoughts on the different options and how they might work. I've never used a grapple before or a 4 way blade, so I might be missing some important points when trying to decide which to get.

Option 1: Get a 4 way bucket
Option 2: Get a "open type" grapple that dirt/small debree can fall through and a dedicated bucket
Option 3: Get a grapple with a solid bottom and a dedicated bucket
Option 4: Get a new dedicated bucket and modify my old to work on my quick disconnects and weld a grapple setup on it.

Does anyone sell a "kit" if I chose to do Option 4?

-I plan on using the grapple for some brush clean up as I clean fence rows out.
-I will use the bucket a lot for dirt work, like cleaning the barn out, loading manure, grading the drives, etc.
Those statements set your parameters.
If cost is no object and you don't mind switching the QA's up front, then I would get the dedicated front attachments. A dedicated attachment up front will generally do a better job since it's specifically designed to do that job. So that would do the best job but probably cost the most.

The multi-purpose attachments will have some draw backs since they have to serve multi-purposes. So their designs normally have limitations associated with the other functions it's supposed to do. But most of them will do what the dedicated attachments will do, or pretty darn near. Excepting maximum capacity perhaps...and that might not come into play as much as you think it would?

If it were me, I'd go with a multi-function tool just to save switching over and cost. From how I read your post, it appears that dirt/bucket work may be more than grapple work? With that in mind, I'd modify your old bucket for the QA and add a bucket grapple to it that you can take off (or leave it on). That would be the least expensive to do and you'd have all the features you want. It would give you pretty much the benefit of a 4-way bucket (both need similar hydraulics and controls) without having to buy one. It gives you the bucket for your dirt work and the grapples for clean up etc.

FWIW, I never take mine off. That means I can move dirt all day longwith my bucket PLUS pick up rocks, boulders, logs and brush that get in the way ... all without any change overs. In my case, the benefit of dirt sifting through the grapple bucket is not a high priority. That is because the technique I use to grapple brush (by clam shell style pick up) picks up very little dirt.

Having the QA's, you could then buy a set of dedicated forks which IMO, are much better than clamp on ones. They are stronger and will/should give you more lift capacity because of no bucket weight and closer to the lift pins. Clamp on forks may be where the convenience and cost of clamp ons don't make up for lost performance or benefit...at least in my opinion. Others may find the clamp ons will do whatever they want them to do. Again, it's a matter of how severely you intend to use any of these things, so what works for me may not work for you and visa-versa.

You could invest the money you save in a hydraulic top link and side tilt cylinders or buy the wife something nice. Your consideration to be frugal AND nice would go a long, long way for future stuff you want to buy.
Of course it's your call, but that's what I'd do....except maybe the wife thing(JK )...but the top n' tilt for sure.

 

[IslandTractor]

Go read some of the threads comparing the grapple bucket vs 4 way bucket on the PT forum. The concensus there seems to be that the grapple bucket is much more efficient for brush removal (a full grapple would be even more so) and that the 4n1 bucket is only for occasional use in brush removal tasks. Picking stuff up with a 4n1 works but you cannot get a very big load. Obviously the 4n1 has other features that could be important (back dragging to fill for example and its dozer capabilities) but it is like all multifunction tools a compromise.

A bucket with added grapple arm is less of a compromise and much less money as you can assemble one yourself for under $500 using your standard bucket. I'd say that is the best value. A full grapple is the champ for dedicated brush clearing but unless you have a QA system it can be a pain to switch back and forth with a standard bucket. Full grapples are often almost as expensive as 4n1 buckets (>$2000) but light duty versions perfectly matched to CUTs can be had for less than $1000 (Millonzi, Pirhana).

I own a Millonzi grapple as I mostly clear brush these days and have not had the regular bucket on my tractor for a year. I've thought about adding a 4n1 but will probably just modify my original bucket with a QA adapter so I can switch back and forth more easily. When my brush clearing days are over I might even add a grapple arm to the bucket and sell the full grapple. After using the Millonzi for the past year I could never be without a grapple again so if I wanted one multifunction attachment it would be a grapple bucket, not a 4n1.

 

[Grrrr]

Ok, this might sound like a crazy idea but what about putting some of those addon grapple arms on to the top of a 4 way bucket. Then you would have the best of both worlds and never have to change buckets.

Something like this



Anyone ever done this or am I completely crazy?

 

[IslandTractor]

Ok, this might sound like a crazy idea but what about putting some of those addon grapple arms on to the top of a 4 way bucket.
Anyone ever done this or am I completely crazy?

I would not go so far as to say you are completely crazy but you'd better figure out a way to control both the grapple and the 4n1 with dual diverters or a diverter plus rear remote. Needing two control functions for something on the FEL is unusual so most tractors aren't set up for it. As noted, if you have at least one free rear remote you could run hydraulics from there to the grapple on top of using a diverter for the 4n1.

The main reason people don't do this is that the 4n1 does a fair job of what the grapple does anyway. The grapple is better at brush but the 4n1 is capable of doing that too so there is relatively little to gain (especially given the hassle of rigging two extra hydraulic controls for the FEL).

 

[Grrrr]

I realise that hydraulic control would be a bit difficult unless you had rear remotes. I was just wandering if anyone had ever done it.

 

[IslandTractor]

I follow most of the 4n1 and grapple threads on TBN and I've never heard of it being done.

 

[alchemysa]

I've got a 4in1 and can't praise it enough. Most people think its just a bucket with a built in grapple but its much more versatile than that. I reckon I use the clam function just about every time I use the tractor, even when I'm just moving dirt. Its almost impossible to remember all the little extra things that it does that arent immediately obvious. For example I can build a higher dirt or scrub pile because i dont have to 'dump' the bucket down to unload stuff. That also means i can dump stuff into my high sided trailer easier. And the extra reach of the clam when its fully extended lets me drag stuff back off the top of a pile or reach into the trailer and either drag stuff out or clamp onto a pile of dirt. The clam also is very easy to use for just yanking small trees or stakes out of the ground. I've cleared great clumps of vine covered scrub and rubbish (like old gearboxes) with ease that would have stumped an ordinary bucket. Admittedly I've seen guys with dedicated grapples carry a heck of a lot more scub at once than I can but in my case thats a minor negative. This topic has been debated quite a lot on various forums but it seems to me that the 4in1 is generally the favoured option. I remember one guy saying that since he bought his 4in1 he'd never re-attached his grapple.