Grapple grapple uses and companies

CT_Tree_Guy · Nov 6, 2005

Scott -

I also have a 5030HST that I use in my tree business. I looked at a lot of grapples and went with the Bradco (ATI). I'm very happy with it. It holds a lot and is very rugged. It weighs about 800 lbs., but even mounted on a quick-attach I can pick up almost anything I need to. Sometimes I think about maybe having a lighter one, but it's done all I need it to and is great for grabbing VERY large mouthfuls of brush. Picks up logs just great. A 22-24" diam. 10.5' long oak log is about the max. That comes out to at least 2,500 pounds including the grapple, and I know the loader is rated for 1,876, but with a little "clean and jerk" action (curling the grapple while backing up, then lifting the loader arms, all in one smooth motion), I'm pretty sure that's what I'm actually lifting. Maybe the loader is rated a little conservatively.

Whatever grapple you end up with, here's a tip that really helped me out. My tractor came from the factory with the relief pressure set quite low, about 200 psi below spec. My tractor guy added a shim or two to the relief valve to bring it up to where it's supposed to be, and it made a very noticeable difference. It went from "hmm, this loader seems a little weak" to "ok, now we're talkin'".

I hear you on not wanting to load your tires, I didn't either. I have a rear grapple that also weighs about 800 lbs. and I can just about max out the loader and still keep the rear tires on the ground. Sometimes I have to go to 4WD to get traction though. I know that's tough on the front driveline, so I go easy when I'm in that mode.

Good luck, John D.

Slippy · Nov 6, 2005

John: I am a little confused. In your post you said you went with the "Bradco (ATI)". I thought they were two different companies. Can you explain which one you got please, and how you like it? Thanks.

CT_Tree_Guy · Nov 7, 2005

Slippy:

Glad to hear someone else is confused besides me, I like company. Of course, it was my fault for confusing you. There are, or were, 2 different tractor-related companies, each called ATI. I just poked around on some Bradco sites, and some of them still had URL's that included "ATI" in them, but I think they're now using "Palladin Equipment" as the name of their "parent company" or whatever instead of ATI. Sorry about that, immediately after posting that I realized I should have left ATI out of it altogether.

My grapple is not the "Preseeder" ATI grapple, let's just call it a Bradco, the same guys who make the backhoes etc. I really like mine a lot - as I said, it's built very well and uses an excellent design that lets you grab really big logs (I just picked up a 30" diameter, 8' oak log today) and HUGE amounts of brush. I paid around $2800 for it, worth every penny. Not saying there aren't better ones, but Bradco has a good reputation and I can see why. The cylinders have a lot of clamping power, too. I just calculated the weight of another log I picked up today - a 26" diam. 10 1/2 foot red oak log that my chart tells me weighed 2,436 lbs. I picked it up like I pick up most logs, by coming down on it from above then curling the grapple.

I'm going to posting a bunch of pictures of it (tonight I hope) in Kubota Owning/Operating, check 'em out.

Hope this helps and sorry about the confusion - John

Slippy · Nov 7, 2005

OK...thanks for the clarification. Did not see your pics yet, so will be checking again later.

CT_Tree_Guy · Nov 7, 2005

Slippy - Sorry the pics aren't up yet, tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to resize the #*@*$! things. Will get them up as soon as I can, ideally before the computer gets thrown out the window.