Grapple vs forks

[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