jcummins
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2007
- Messages
- 1,637
- Location
- Creal Springs, IL
- Tractor
- Kubota M7040, F3680, Mule Pro Fxt
All good advice. After reading all about grapples here, I bought a 48" version Markham with 1/2 steel and extra spacers. Use it on a M 6800 Kubota which is about a 70 hp. I must say it is great, by far the best implement I own. As far as width, I agree it depends on what you are using it for. I use mine mostly for clearing land, widening trails and roads, by uprooting trees and hauling off the debris. A narrower one is best for this as it allows more focused pressure to bury the tines under the root ball so you can dig it out. Often on a stubborn root, I have to use the corner of the grapple only, in other words, only several tines, to really apply maximum pressure. Not having more width has never been an issue. A 48" will take a plenty big bite out of a brush pile. Now if you do not dig and just use it as a scoop to grab brush, or use it as a rake, a wider one would be o.k., but my 48" works well for that also. You can't go wrong with a 48".
Based upon HCJ postings here I bought the same grapple he has for an M7040 Kubota. I have since sold, since I'm selling the ranch and relocating to Illinois...BUT....I uproot trees, move tons of brush and logs (hurricane cleanup) and never once did I wish it was wider than 48in. In fact a few times I wish it had been narrower.