Grapples and pulling out smaller trees?

[SPYDERLK]

1 to 4" near the ground

I have the 55" Wicked Root Grapple Rake on a Boomer 35 NH. Push in about 4" below ground, curl back and forth and lift. Quite effective in that size range or even a bit larger by the 2nd try.

 

[deezler]

I would say no, you cant clamp hard enough on a sapling to get enough purchase to rip it out of the ground. You can break it in half, or mangle it, but most grapples dont pinch precisely enough.

Instead, you can get a grapple tooth in the ground and dislodge the entire tree, stump and all.

My used Kioti CK3510 came in a package with an Everything-Attachments wicked 55" grapple. Which worked fine, but I promptly listed for sale - I wanted a log-carrying style grapple instead. So I bought the MTL 54" compact tractor grapple instead, and profited $500 overall after flipping my used EA wicked 55". The EA wicked grapple was fine, but could only carry one log at a time, since it has no bottom jaws to speak of. When I am felling trees or collecting firewood poles, I need more carrying capacity.

BLACK Compact Tractor 48" / 54" / 60" HD Root Grapple Hydraulic - quick attach — MTL Attachments

Brand New Built in the USA 48” -54” or 60" Compact Tractor / Skid Steer Root Grapple bucket This is our newest and most advanced model 60” & 48" grapples ever built We have the largest opening / per weight / style than any other manufacturer - Industry leading 41

www.mtlattachments.com

Note: To successfully order anything from MTL, call them on the phone and confirm inventory. Mine shipped the next day and arrived in 3 days.

 

[shooterdon]

I would say no, you cant clamp hard enough on a sapling to get enough purchase to rip it out of the ground. You can break it in half, or mangle it, but most grapples dont pinch precisely enough.

Instead, you can get a grapple tooth in the ground and dislodge the entire tree, stump and all.

My used Kioti CK3510 came in a package with an Everything-Attachments wicked 55" grapple. Which worked fine, but I promptly listed for sale - I wanted a log-carrying style grapple instead. So I bought the MTL 54" compact tractor grapple instead, and profited $500 overall after flipping my used EA wicked 55". The EA wicked grapple was fine, but could only carry one log at a time, since it has no bottom jaws to speak of. When I am felling trees or collecting firewood poles, I need more carrying capacity.

BLACK Compact Tractor 48" / 54" / 60" HD Root Grapple Hydraulic - quick attach — MTL Attachments

Brand New Built in the USA 48” -54” or 60" Compact Tractor / Skid Steer Root Grapple bucket This is our newest and most advanced model 60” & 48" grapples ever built We have the largest opening / per weight / style than any other manufacturer - Industry leading 41

www.mtlattachments.com

Note: To successfully order anything from MTL, call them on the phone and confirm inventory. Mine shipped the next day and arrived in 3 days.

I also have the MTL and am pleased with it. I did damage two tips clamping on large rocks, but it works great on trees, logs and brush. It was relatively inexpensive as well.

 

[tacticalturnip]

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Kioti KG2060, clamshell style, and I've been happy with it. I do think if I were buying over again, I actually might go a little narrower, but no complaints overall.

 

[ArlyA]

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Kioti KG2060, clamshell style, and I've been happy with it. I do think if I were buying over again, I actually might go a little narrower, but no complaints overall.

Hows it for picking up logs?

 

[tacticalturnip]

Hows it for picking up logs?

Mostly good, better still if they're stacked. That said, I feel like it would get a better handle on them if it were a little narrower, like it could maybe pinch the center of a stack a little better.

There is no science behind that, it's just what has run through my head given how log grapples are much more narrow. A clamshell is a good general-purpose design, but you may want an actual log grapple.

 

[shooterdon]

ArlyA, my MTL is a 60” and I wish I had got a 48” or 54”. I also believe the smaller grapples handle logs better and 95% of my grapple work is handling logs.

 

[SPYDERLK]

ArlyA, my MTL is a 60” and I wish I had got a 48” or 54”. I also believe the smaller grapples handle logs better and 95% of my grapple work is handling logs.

Wide grapple and wide lid = double bad for logs and general maneuverability

 

[D&D]

Hows it for picking up logs?

That question is tough to answer. What type/size logs? What is the grapple attached to? Smaller stuff like you showed, I would stack them and then pick up a "bundle" to move. A 12" tree, I can usually stack and move 2 eight to ten foot lengths at a time.
That's using a Homestead pinnacle on my DK5310

I have also used the grapple for picking apart a pallet of small hay squares that was infested with ground bees. Didn't have to use chemicals and saved the pallet (don't try that without a cabbed tractor). Used the grapple to pick up and move other ssqa/3 point attachments to load on truck/trailer or simply to mow around. Used the grapple to move 4x5 round bales. Used the grapple to pull fence posts. Oh and used it to move a brush pile or 2.