Grapple vs forks

[Fordman98]

I've been looking into getting a tractor and thought I needed a grapple. I have 5.5 acres of wooded land so I thought the grapple would be necessary for moving brush and trees around. However I'm seeing a lot of people using pallet forks for these tasks.

What's everyones opinion on pallet forks instead of a grapple. Obviously the grapple would be much nicer and easier to use,but its also going to add roughly $3000 to the cost of the Tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

VIDEO TRACTOR PALLET FORKS: tractor pallet forks - YouTube

VIDEO: TRACTOR SSQA PALLET FORKS: tractor pallet forks SSQA - YouTube

 

[Fuddy1952]

Last year I bought a new JD with a lot of attachments, and then ordered a grapple as well as a kit for front hydraulics, joystick, etc.
I think I've used it twice. I should have thought more about it, weighing out the cost/amount used.

 

[bcp]

Pallet forks for logs works pretty good, if the logs aren't too long.

Using pallet forks for brush can be frustrating. Stick them under a pile, lift, and all you've done is create two piles as the brush slides off to each side.

Brush forks will work better with small piles, but about the same with large piles.

Being able to clamp the brush is a huge help.

Try picking up loose piles of something, but not using your thumb. Do it again, but use your thumb. Using your thumb is like using a grapple.

Bruce

 

[GMIslander]

I have both, use my forks for pallets, love my grapple and it's a cheap 48" single cylinder. Get a grapple unless you have pallets to move around.

 

[CMV]

I don't have a grapple. There are times - like after cutting down & limbing a few trees - a grapple would be really nice. However, what I've found is my "poor man's compromise"....a rock bucket. Due to it's shape/design, I can push a brush pile fairly well or I can pile up brush on it a lot more than regular bucket or pallet forks. A grapple would still work better, but the way I see it it goes like this: Grapple > rock bucket > pallet forks > standard bucket.

So that's an option. I bought mine used and is oversized for my machine. It's a standard 72" rock bucket for a skid steer. But for $600 a lot less than full blown grapple + front remote. At ~700lbs though it does eat up a lot of lift capacity. I can't overload my regular 72" bucket with dirt - if i can scoop it, the tractor will lift it. With the rock bucket being longer, heavier, & can hold more, I can take a bite to big to break out. But with just tree limbs/brush I can't overload it. Could get a pretty big pile and wrap with a cargo strap to take a long way if needed.

A single tree or big log, pallet forks are great for that. A pile, not so much. But pallet forks have the obvious advantage of moving pallets (duhhh), but you really don't realize how convenient that is until you have it. Free pallets are everywhere so just using them makes a lot of basic transport/moving "stuff" around real easy.

I rarely use my rock bucket. Nice to have when needed, but seldom used. I could see myself selling it at some point. I wouldn't part with my pallet forks.

 

[jeff9366]

Opt for SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) FEL coupler so you can alternate between FEL bucket and other front attachments quickly. Consider SSQA pallet forks for moving brush, in lieu of a grapple. For 5-1/2 acres pallet forks are ample and simpler. (I like simple.)

It is important to purchase Pallet Forks where fork width adjusts easily and locks securely.
Wide tine spacing for transporting logs. Narrow tine spacing for transporting brush piles.

I have found high quality SSQA pallet forks entirely satisfactory in 50 acres of woodland and trail maintenance.



The is some technique involved transporting brush.

1. Heavy piles are easier to move without loss of debris than light piles.

2. Mash down the brush piles with Pallet Fork down pressure before attempting to pick up debris. Mashing tends to interlock constituents of the load.

3. Keep a set of loppers on your tractor for trimming outliers. Photo #1

An FEL damper is an option I have come to value. Photo #2
LINK: W.R. Long, Inc. | Comfort Ride

 

[Sysop]

You could get a pallet fork with a grapple attachment on it if you really need to save a few bucks and have a tool that is nearly "all in one". There are many styles available:

Personally, I like a separate grapple and forks. I purchased my forks first, which I would advise for anyone considering both. Much for the same reasons as you listed; price and the fact many tasks can be completed fine with simple forks. I ended up with a grapple as well because there is a lot that forks cannot do. That being said, a grapple cannot lift a pallet out of the back of a truck nor move implements stored on pallets. Without owning pallet forks, I could never have got my grapple off the delivery truck.

I really couldn't do what I need to do without either my grapple or my forks.

 

[ruffdog]

I have a pair of pallet forks that I can attach to my bucket. I have used them once...to get the pallet out of the truck that my grapple was on. I burn many brush piles because of all the trees I have, cut, and trim. A grapple can squish down a huge pile of branches and grab them all...way faster. I can do a days worth of work in an hour now.:cool2:

 

[CMV]

This isn't bad...just a regular set of pallet forks. Carried that tree about 1/4 mile that way. Of course could have just thrown a chain around it & drug it too....but an example that pallet forks can move something like that simply where it would take some lashing to use your regular bucket.

I wish I would have thought to take a picture of the brush pile I just moved last weekend. Cut down 2 trees both much bigger & bushier than pictured above. One a pine, one something else - no idea but it wasn't a pine, maple, or oak. Anyway, limbed them both in same spot so had a pretty large pile of branches. Put the rock bucket on and pushed all that from both into one pile. Then pushed that big pile about 200 yds. Probably got a good 2/3 of it in one shot. Sure there were strays that pushed off to the sides as I was going, but for not taking my butt off the tractor seat, I thought it was pretty good results and the cleanup was much faster than I thought. I could have done same with pallet forks, but would have been a lot more trips back & forth since no way they would accumulate and push as much.

 

[jblac197]

I've been looking into getting a tractor and thought I needed a grapple. I have 5.5 acres of wooded land so I thought the grapple would be necessary for moving brush and trees around. However I'm seeing a lot of people using pallet forks for these tasks.

What's everyones opinion on pallet forks instead of a grapple. Obviously the grapple would be much nicer and easier to use,but its also going to add roughly $3000 to the cost of the Tractor.

I use the grapple far more than my forks for brush/tree clean up. Not sure on your tractor size your considering but I just have a 48" single cylinder grapple from carolina attachments. Cost was only $900 and it's built here in the USA and seems to be built pretty stout. I spent about $1700 total for grapple and 3rd function. Great for brush and logs.

 

[Sysop]

Forks can't do this...

 

[PEJ5]

I am half a step ahead of you. A have a small heavily wooded acreage and now have a used tractor with limited budget for attachments. I have been told that once I own a set of forks that everything will go on pallets -buckets of sand, firewood, other attachments and logs. I like the idea of easily moving stuff around.
Moving brush will only be occasional over the long run and can either load in my utility trailer or I might consider the grapple attachment for the forks.
HLA Attachments - Single Arm Log Grapple

I expect a grapple for see little use after the first major cleanup. That said there are some compelling arguements above. If only a neighbour had a set to borrow/rent.

Peter

 

[shooterdon]

You can move brush with pallet forks but they are not ideal. I cannot justify a true grapple attachment so I will be buying a "Thumb" grapple from Greens Machine that bolts onto the FEL. It is an economical option at $425 or so, but it will not pick up as much as a dedicated grapple. I will need to add a diverter valve for the cylinder, switch and some hoses. Total cost should come in around $700-750.

I do not log but process about 3-4 cords a year firewood. The other uses for it will be moving brush. I am retired so if it takes me twice as long to get the job done I am OK with it.

The Thumb - Add-on Grapple Attachments

BTW, I have 20 acres with about 18 acres of woods. A $3000 grapple makes no sense for a small acreage. IMHO

 

[Rmart30]

As BCP said being able to clamp brush or logs is a plus. I did a LOT with just a set of forks but the grapple makes it easier and quicker. I dont have to drive as slow to make sure a log doesnt fall off of forks.
With age I want convenience. A grapple cuts down on a lot of manual labor for me.

 

[Rmart30]

You can move brush with pallet forks but they are not ideal. I cannot justify a true grapple attachment so I will be buying a "Thumb" grapple from Greens Machine that bolts onto the FEL. It is an economical option at $425 or so, but it will not pick up as much as a dedicated grapple. I will need to add a diverter valve for the cylinder, switch and some hoses. Total cost should come in around $700-750.

I do not log but process about 3-4 cords a year firewood. The other uses for it will be moving brush. I am retired so if it takes me twice as long to get the job done I am OK with it.

The Thumb - Add-on Grapple Attachments

BTW, I have 20 acres with about 18 acres of woods. A $3000 grapple makes no sense for a small acreage. IMHO

Agreed on a $3000 one which is why I bought a $1000 one and am using the tar out of it. 219-MTL Attachments HD 66 Skid Steer Root Grapple Bucket Twin Cyl-Quick attach | eBay

I have used skid steer with a regular bucket with a bolt on grapple. I did not care for it. Seemed as if it was in the way for other tasks. It may not bother most people.

 

[plumbstraight]

I've been looking into getting a tractor and thought I needed a grapple. I have 5.5 acres of wooded land so I thought the grapple would be necessary for moving brush and trees around. However I'm seeing a lot of people using pallet forks for these tasks.

What's everyones opinion on pallet forks instead of a grapple. Obviously the grapple would be much nicer and easier to use,but its also going to add roughly $3000 to the cost of the Tractor.

I was fortunate to run across a set of grapples for a skid steer. I modified it a bit to fit my tractor and since I put it on I have only had it off to put the original bucket on to load gravel. It is so handy. Been moving logs and feeding a sawmill with it them picking up the final slab to pile. forks are good for palets and such, but try to pick up some brush is almost impossible to get the balance right. Just depends on what you use your tractor the most for.

 

[Jchonline]

You can move brush with pallet forks but they are not ideal. I cannot justify a true grapple attachment so I will be buying a "Thumb" grapple from Greens Machine that bolts onto the FEL. It is an economical option at $425 or so, but it will not pick up as much as a dedicated grapple. I will need to add a diverter valve for the cylinder, switch and some hoses. Total cost should come in around $700-750.

I do not log but process about 3-4 cords a year firewood. The other uses for it will be moving brush. I am retired so if it takes me twice as long to get the job done I am OK with it.

The Thumb - Add-on Grapple Attachments

BTW, I have 20 acres with about 18 acres of woods. A $3000 grapple makes no sense for a small acreage. IMHO

IMO this is a waste of $. Just get a few hooks and a good chain if you are using it with a bucket.

 

[4570Man]

Pallet forks are pretty good for moving logs. They’re a lot better than a bucket but not as good as a grapple for moving brush. If you had a clamp on the forks that would be a big improvement over regular forks but that requires the 3rd function hydraulics. The biggest downfall of pallet forks imo is racking up small debris but you can do a good job at that with a tooth bucket.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I think pallet forks are superior to a grapple by far, if you invest in a matching grapple for the folks... I use my pallet forks for logs and brush ALL THE TIME and they work perfectly,

The forks are longer and slide right under the brush pile...

I've used a dedicated grapple quite a bit and my pallet forks work much better especially when cutting firewood! There's just so much less iron in the way when you are cutting,

and for loading logs the pallet forks work perfectly,

Think of all the OTHER things pallet forks will do that a dedicated grapple won't do, like moving/loading pallets and other heavy things, ect.. But, there's very little that a dedicated grapple can do that pallet forks with a dedicated grapple can't also do...

SR