Grapple width

[IslandTractor]

Can't believe I missed a whole grapple thread. I must be losing it.

At this point I'll only add that after almost five years with my 48 inch light duty grapple I have not once wished I'd gotten a larger size or heavier grapple. It worked brilliantly on my 20hp Kioti CK20 and is absolutely up to the task of handling anything my 40hp DK40se can lift (2700lbs).

Maintenance on the grapple to date has been to replace one hose ripped out by a piece of brush and about 20 minutes with a welder to straighten and reinforce the upper jaw teeth after splaying them out while picking up a monster boulder. I actually used the grapple without any problem for a year without fixing the cosmetic buck tooth appearance but finally decided to get it straightened. Gotta love mild steel. (My original Millonzi grapple upper jaw teeth were unsupported for the terminal 6 inches or so, now a gusset covers down to about three inches so it is much stronger).

48 inch light duty grapples rule.:thumbsup:

 

[radman1]

Everything that you can effectivly use on your loader (bucket, forks, grapple, spear) is readily available in the JDQA setup.

The problem with JD QA, it the cost of attachments are 30-40% higher than a typical skid steer attachment and of not better quality. Resale is also more difficult with JD QA because of few potential buyers. The extra weight of the JD skid steer carrier is nominal compared to JD QA. Maybe 30-40#s more with the skid steer carrier. JD needs to use the skid steer carrier as the standard. On the larger tractors, they are moving toward the global (euro) carrier standard.

 

[IslandTractor]

The problem with JD QA, it the cost of attachments are 30-40% higher than a typical skid steer attachment and of not better quality. Resale is also more difficult with JD QA because of few potential buyers. The extra weight of the JD skid steer carrier is nominal compared to JD QA. Maybe 30-40#s more with the skid steer carrier. JD needs to use the skid steer carrier as the standard. On the larger tractors, they are moving toward the global (euro) carrier standard.

I agree. Universal skid steer is the way to go.

On the other hand, I did get a great deal on a used JD QA style WRLong 4n1 bucket probably because there was such a small market for it. Got the nearly new bucket for $500 and paid a local welder $50 to cut off the JD QA and attach my skid steer universal receiver plate.

 

[foggy1111]

Can't believe I missed a whole grapple thread. I must be losing it.

At this point I'll only add that after almost five years with my 48 inch light duty grapple I have not once wished I'd gotten a larger size or heavier grapple. It worked brilliantly on my 20hp Kioti CK20 and is absolutely up to the task of handling anything my 40hp DK40se can lift (2700lbs).


'Bout time you suit up and get in the game. :laughing: After reading most everything posted on grapples.....I pretty much knew your position before ordering my 48" Markham. :thumbsup: :laughing:

 

[dstig1]

Foggy - which Markham did you order? Was this the light duty grapple rake? I am seriously considering that as using forks to move brush "works" but it painfully slow as you end up having to manually load them up for anything other than large piles (which I am making but mostly don't have sitting around to pick up...).

How much do they run?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[kennyd]

Foggy - which Markham did you order? Was this the light duty grapple rake? I am seriously considering that as using forks to move brush "works" but it painfully slow as you end up having to manually load them up for anything other than large piles (which I am making but mostly don't have sitting around to pick up...).

How much do they run?

Thanks,
Dave

The LD-48 From Markham (now Gator) runs right around $1000.00 delivered. Call Melissa and get a quote, she is a pleasure to talk to. This is the one Foggy ordered-as well as the same one in the pictures I posted earlier in this thread.

 

[foggy1111]

As KennyD said.....I did order the Makham / Gator light duty 48" root-rake grapple. I ordered the extra inserts welded into the bottom of the rake to make the spacings about 4" IIRC (add $100). I also had them make the grapple fit the JD quick mount which adds $80. They extimated the freight to cost another $80. So I beleive my total is going to be about $1160 to my door. To that I need to add my hydraulic hose costs to my couplers which are already at the front of my loader.

The grapple should deliver any time now....and I will post a pic when its operational. Probably a week or so from now (I'm on "R & R" at the lake ).

 

[dstig1]

Wow, that's really not bad at all. I also need some sort of an additional valve as I have zero rear remotes and no 3rd function valve currently - just the std loader.

Any thoughts on that at all?

I like the additional tines idea. The gap seems rather wide as is.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[kennyd]

Wow, that's really not bad at all. I also need some sort of an additional valve as I have zero rear remotes and no 3rd function valve currently - just the std loader.

Any thoughts on that at all?

I like the additional tines idea. The gap seems rather wide as is.

Thanks,
Dave

Plenty of threads on that in the hydraulics forum. It will cost about $500-$700 to add a "3rd function" to your loader, WR Long even will sell you a "kit" if you don't want to source all the parts separately. Search these terms (in the hydraulics forum):

grapple
3rd function
diverter
wr long
markham
4n1

 

[foggy1111]

I mounted the Markham / Gator Grapple to my 3320 yesterday and got the hoses hooked up today. Markham had sent me SS hoses with flat connectors. Somehow I thought they did not furnish hoses.....so it was a little bit of a surprise. I shortened up the hoses and added the Pioneer 1/4" couplers to mate up with my John Deere lines and couplers already on my tractor. If I was doing it again, I would leave about two inches more hose.....as when the grapple is tilted all the way the hoses are getting a bit tight. It'll work out....but a word of warning to the next guy.

The "48" Markham Grapple actually measures 51" and change.....which is a good thing as it just about covers my front tire track on the tractor. The 1/4" hoses operate very smoothly and at a proper speed IMO. :thumbsup:

My grapple is powered by the JD 3rd function SVC control lever...just to the right of the Joystick on my tractor. I'm very happy with this set up.