Grapple Grapple Rake prices

Maknwine · Oct 22, 2009

Was quoted $2150 for Markham's 66 or 75" grapple rake and forks/frame delivered. I didn't verify but I assume this does not include hookup hydraulics. I have two rear remotes which I would uitilize to run the grapple.

I'm sure this would pay for itself in a year but wondered if anyone knew of better deals out there? Its for the N.H. T2410
Tks
tom

IslandTractor · Oct 23, 2009

Forks/frame usually can be had for $600-700. Grapple prices obviously depend on size and manufacturer. Markham is the current value leader and people seem happy with their product. They do sell a "light duty" QA 48" root grapple for about $1000 which would cost less. Your tractor could easily handle the bigger grapples you have specified but if you are mostly picking up brush/logs etc you might consider the light duty grapple. I have a similar light duty grapple on my DK40se Kioti and it does just fine.

Maknwine · Oct 30, 2009

Does Markham Welding usually offer a monthly special? The Markham special this month...I am interested in(66" grapple and forks/frame $2020) but my finances are so that I may need until December to cover it. So does this special occur rarely.

Would love to build these myself but I have so many projects and things needing repair that it will just get delayed and the goal of removing some pine trees will just keep getting delayed too. Tough decisions.

goldduster · Oct 31, 2009

I paid $2535 for my WR Long OBG2-56 including valve kit, quick disconnects, and shipping to the west coast. Dealers name on request.

Maknwine · Nov 5, 2009

Just took delivery of the 66" Markham grapple rake and forks/frame. What a monster of an attachment. I sure hope the New Holland T2410 can handle it. Right away my wife wants some azaleas ripped out. I also hope it will pop up some small choke cherry trees about 4" diameter. We'll see. Pics tomorrow.

I need to get some hose's made up to go from the rear remotes on my tractor to the grapple connects, looks like they are Parker? Are these typically called quick connects? There's about 7 feet of hose supplied so I'll measure what I need in the morning and see about getting some made.

Tom

IslandTractor · Nov 5, 2009

Maknwine said:
Just took delivery of the 66" Markham grapple rake and forks/frame. What a monster of an attachment. I sure hope the New Holland T2410 can handle it. Right away my wife wants some azaleas ripped out. I also hope it will pop up some small choke cherry trees about 4" diameter. We'll see. Pics tomorrow.

I need to get some hose's made up to go from the rear remotes on my tractor to the grapple connects, looks like they are Parker? Are these typically called quick connects? There's about 7 feet of hose supplied so I'll measure what I need in the morning and see about getting some made.

Tom

You should not have any trouble with the choke cherry trees. I've removed dozens of them 4"-9" in diameter with my grapple. Best technique I find is to first push on the tree high up to expose a couple of roots then stick the grapple under the roots and curl or drive forwards. Depending on the size of the tree it will come out with one try or you will need to loosen it on one side and then move 90 degrees and repeat. I'm not familiar with your tractor but that obviously has a lot to do with how easy it will be. Mine is a Kioti DK40se which weighs about 5000lbs and the loader has a roll back force of about 4500lbs. My problem is having enough rear ballast to keep my tractor on the ground. However, I was also able to push over and remove 4-5 inch choke cherry trees with my first tractor which was only 21hp and used the same grapple.

One trick for measuring the length of hydraulic hose you need is to use an old garden hose and put it in exactly the path you will thread your hydraulic hose. Leave enough slack at the back for a gentle loop or alternatively when you get the hoses made up have them put a 90 degree fitting in them at the rear after the quick connects (Pioneer style) as that will avoid needing a loop. I ran mine from the rear remote down over the top of the left rear axle, under the operator station (zip tie up) then up the left FEL mounting post and down the FEL arm. 3/8 inch hose or even 1/4 inch hose should work as you are just controling the grapple arm which you don't want to move very fast anyway.

Maknwine · Nov 5, 2009

Thanks I.T.

I'll have to look up Pioneer style. I hope the Parker fittings up front are just standard quick disconnects. Been reading on the Hydro area tonight. Head hurts.

Maknwine · Nov 6, 2009

I thought I read a ton of grapple posts here in the last few months but maybe not enough. I'm wondering if I shouldn't have gone with the 60" or maybe even the 48". Haven't even hooked it up yet and I'm complaining!

IslandTractor · Nov 6, 2009

Maknwine said:
I thought I read a ton of grapple posts here in the last few months but maybe not enough. I'm wondering if I shouldn't have gone with the 60" or maybe even the 48". Haven't even hooked it up yet and I'm complaining!

I'm a fan of the 48" but if your loader can handle it the bigger ones are OK too. The mistake many people make is to assume that they need a grapple about the same size as their primary bucket. Incorrect. You need a grapple matched to your FEL but weight is a more important consideration than width. Bigger grapples are obviously heavier and each pound of grapple weight reduces your net lift capacity. A 48 inch grapple can do most anything a 72 inch grapple can do except clean up construction debris quickly. Brush sticks together so really wide grapples don't add much. Logs stick out the end of any grapple. Digging out roots is actually best done with a narrow grapple as you can focus the energy on the roots rather than having half or more of the grapple tines just stuck in dirt.

Ken45101 · Nov 6, 2009

I received my Markham grapple late yesterday. A quick try out resulted in the grapple falling off in the heavy brush

Then I realized that they sent what I guess is the wrong type of mount, there is nothing for the bottom of the quick attach to lock on to

I'll be calling them this morning. It will be a hassle to get it shipped back. It might be less of a hassle to see if a local weld shop can fabricate a secure mount for it.

Suggestion to board members: apparently they have different mounting systems beyond the standard QA and they are not careful about matching what they ship to what the customer needs. Myself, I only have experience with standard quick attach, didn't realize this.

Ken