Grapples and Work Light Brackets

[Rory_Rhodes]

I am looking to buy a grapple this week, my second. Tractor is a L3130, 723 loader with remotes. The first grapple was well built but also weighed 700+ pounds. The tractor felt a little light for the grapple once I had secured a log of reasonable diameter. It also had a nasty habit of jumping off the quick attach, even once I had welded additional plates/shims to close the gap. Use is for brush, limbs, log moving (I have forks but logs slide on slopes), general pickup and cleanup, etc. I am looking at the ATI brand, two grapples made for a compact tractor each weighing in around 500#. One is a rake, manure rake with grapple, and the other is a grapple bucket. The bucket version weighs 30# less. Any thoughts on these grapples? Any pros or cons to one or another? Any other 500# grapple alternatives?

Second question, are there any ROPS work light brackets, easy attach that are made for the Kubota ROPS that require no drilling and a hole to mount a work light? I have seen some that appear well built, not sure if they would fit the ROPS.

 

[sflranchok]

Sorry i can't much help for your first question. About the work lights: check with your Kubota dealer. I am taking delivery of a KX-71 mini-ecavator and had a second set of work lights added to the rops. Not certain if they will work on your tractor's rops, but good luck.

Steve

 

[IslandTractor]

Check out the Worksaver grapples and also WR Long's new RBB2 series. Many of these grapple companies are just starting to put out smaller grapples for CUTs. They seem to weigh about half of what the skid steer or full size grapples weigh.

The other alternative is to add a grapple to your current bucket. I am looking into this option after considering the full grapples. ATI and Wikco make kits which add only about 150 pounds to the weight of the bucket. I decided that while a full grapple is clearly the optimal tool that the expense was not easy to justify for a non professional when the grapple kits are available as add ons to the original bucket. I don't know about the ATI but the Wikco is easily detachable. Wikco is the cheapest (499 plus shipping) as they sell direct. ATI lists for about a third more (750 or so plus shipping) but they sell only through dealers. The CUT sized full grapples (worksaver and wr long) also sell through dealers and are about $2000 list.

Wikco Add a Grapple
ATI grapple add on kit
Worksaver 360 pound full grapple for CUT
WR Long RGB2 grapples 360 lbs too

While I am posting (and visiting the other orange site), has anyone here actually installed the Wikco grapple kit???