Grappling fun - A Picture Thread....

[Xfaxman]

I just got to this thread, thanks for starting it!

On your grapple, do you have 2 different remotes? Can you operate the 2 grapples independently or what? I'm googling and not seeing how that works yet.

Since I'm a grapple newbie, if they are independent, what's the advantage of that? Most of the stuff I'm imagining doing is tree work, moving brush to the chipper, moving logs, root balls, that sort of thing. Can you educate me on why I want independent grapples rather than just one wide one?

Thanks, and great pictures, especially the series with your dad. Gave me a pang, my dad has been gone for ~10 years, I would have loved to have had a series of pics like that with him.

A grapple is the complete attachment. The clamping part, sometimes called a "lid", can be one wide piece, one narrow piece, or two pieces.

With two lids, the cylinders are connected in parallel with Tee connectors. When they close they can clamp uneven loads. When one stops moving down all the oil will flow to the other cylinder, when that side contacts the load and stops moving, the pressure will be the same on both cylinders.

I prefer independent lids, just my :2cents:

 

[Piston]

I just got to this thread, thanks for starting it!

On your grapple, do you have 2 different remotes? Can you operate the 2 grapples independently or what? I'm googling and not seeing how that works yet.

Since I'm a grapple newbie, if they are independent, what's the advantage of that? Most of the stuff I'm imagining doing is tree work, moving brush to the chipper, moving logs, root balls, that sort of thing. Can you educate me on why I want independent grapples rather than just one wide one?

Thanks, and great pictures, especially the series with your dad. Gave me a pang, my dad has been gone for ~10 years, I would have loved to have had a series of pics like that with him.

Xfaxman explained it well. A single grapple thumb vs a dual thumb will work on the same hydraulics, no need for extra remotes with a dual thumb model over the single.

Regarding which one is right for you just depends on what you will use it most for. If you will be grabbing uneven loads it becomes very helpful. I have carried multiple stumps many times where I otherwise would have only been able to carry one at a time. I do find it very helpful to have the two independent thumbs vs one thumb for what I do specifically. That being said, I'm sure I'd be more than happy with a single if that is what I had.
I went with the specific grapple I have for very specific reasons and against some recommendations, after a lot of research, and I could not be happier with my decision.

Let us know if you have any other questions. And as always, feel free to post as many grapple pics here as you choose! I need to start taking more pics again to post, although I haven't had much seat time recently. Good luck!
-Matt

 

[gemstarfarm]

Man I have to get a grapple.....

 

[Xfaxman]

I'm late to this party. Grapple work is the best!! Heres my little thumb

Looks like the Thumb works good! :thumbsup:

I have two thumbs!

One on each hand. :laughing:

 

[Xfaxman]

My first clamshell style grapple would not penetrate a cedar tree because of the bracing between the tines. To pick it up, you had to maneuver around to get the grapple parallel to the trunk.


My second grapple is the ideal design (no bracing between the tines) to penetrate the cedar tree from any any angle, and pick it up. Much faster when stacking trees.

44" wide, single lid.


Will grab a big cedar from any angle.


Pulled this dead willow tree.




I use this grapple on the Toolcat also.

 

[sd455dan]

Oh why not here's mine..grapples are fun and versatile!! always finding new uses for it...

 

[Piston]

Sd,
Love that pic of the firewood :thumbsup:

Did you build the grapple? It looks great, I like the long tines coming off the bucket, glad you posted!

 

[sd455dan]

Sd,
Love that pic of the firewood :thumbsup:

Did you build the grapple? It looks great, I like the long tines coming off the bucket, glad you posted!

THANKS !
Actually I got interested in them from reading threads on TBN.

So I started searching and couldn't find anything in a price range that I could afford., until my sister mentioned that during a large equipment sale 10 years earlier my father had purchased some new and used grapples for a New Holland skid steer and the Rhino 554, some worked great for the skid steer but nothing actually fit the rhino which had a Quasi (fast attach) ?? mounting set up.

She ended up purchasing the ranch that all the equipment had been stored at and in the weeds on the back 20 this well used grapple (manure bucket) was still sitting there, so she just gave it to me,

I had to fabricate and mig in the lower 2 pin bosses and purchase hydraulic lines and fittings, tractor had power beyond and 2 remotes. Anyway it has only cost me about $150 for the lines and fittings and $ 45 in steel- had to make up 1 new tine...

But so far I really like having it, and all the things it can be used for... Oh ,also- I have no idea who manufactured it, there are no tags or markings anywhere...and I have not seen an identical one yet??

I noticed how most people buy new- and that's great if you can afford it , but there are some great deals, at some of these equipment sales for people on a budget, that have a little fabrication ability. Or if you have a nice sister like mine:thumbsup:

 

[mkane09]

I have a MX4700 with the same Long grapple as the OP. I've cut and cleared about 70 mostly poplars with it from a creekbed in preparation for digging a pond. I never could have done it without the Kubota and grapple...



mkane09

 

[Piston]

Figured I'd post a pic while on the slow ride up the street.

My mastiff had ACL surgery a couple months ago and I can finally remove this ugly ramp from my front door! I picked it up with the flat bottom of the grapple and didn't even need to close the upper jaws. Bringing it up to the brush pile for burning. It's a tight squeeze at 14' wide but no cars coming...yet.