Grappling fun - A Picture Thread....

[IslandTractor]

Really you made started it.

Pray tell what are you talking about. I mentioned examples. You can't even buy my grapple anymore (Millonzi) and I haven't stated anything other than what I think the best deal is currently. If you don't want advice, don't ask for it.

 

[IslandTractor]

It sounds like you have done some extensive testing on loaders. Please share your results.

I can read spec sheets. Find me a brand that has weaker loaders by tractor horsepower rating. Kubotas are built light to optimize their mowing qualities. Downside is they have smaller front axles and to protect those axles Kubota typically mounts smaller capacity loaders. Not true after 40hp but true for all Kubotas below that I know of. Find me a Kubota under 40hp with a loader that out lifts equivalent HP Mahindra, Kioti etc. There are both advantages and disadvantages to having a light tractor. Just a fact of tractordom.

 

[Gordon Gould]

This is how I did my grapple open/close control. Added a OC single spool valve with Power Beyond in series with the Loader PB line. I made the grapple control lever so it can swing left and right with the loader dump/curl lever. I can operate all the grapple motions with one hand simultaneously. Cost me about $225 total for valve, fittings, and hoses.







EDIT: Before I added the grapple valve I operated it from the rear remotes which was fine but I needed to free up the rear remote for a TnT

gg

 

[94BULLITT]

Wayne, the EA single lid grapple is rated at 35 hp. I know your tractor is 38 hp but it the same tractor as an L3200 with more power. On an Implement like a grapple hp is not going to hurt it as much as the weight of the tractor and the tires the tractor has. I looked at the specs of the single lid EA grapple. It looks like the steel of everything on the single lid grapple is the made out of the same thickness as the dual lid grapple expect for the end tines on the dual lid grapple are 5/16.'' I'm not sure if they use the same steel for both grapples or not. I have a dual lid wicked grapple and I am very happy with it. It is indestructible on a compact tractor. I'm not sure but they may rate the single lid for 35hp because people with a larger tractor mostly want a bigger grapple with dua lids:confused3: The dual lid grapple is $500 more. If you got that grapple and got a larger tractor that grapple would be suitable for use on it. I would call Travis at Everything Attachments and see what he recommends for your tractor.

Everything Attachments Compact Utility Root Grapple 50"

Everything Attachments Wicked Root Grapple for Compact Tractors

These pics show an Anbo Rancher grapple (6.5') on a M59. Seems plenty sturdy. This grapple opens about 6' but has reinforcements on the upper arms; will torque a bit on uneven loads, but has never bent. It is a good match for the M59. I have used it to handle brush (shown), logs, rocks, and to clear sagebrush, and it worked great for all of these. My tractor has an electrically actuated third function at the front. Both the grapple and the 4n1 bucket required a flow restrictor to slow the actuation down to a manageable speed.

You have some nice equipment.

 

[IslandTractor]

I was wrong about the EA grapple tune thickness. It is 1/4" not 5/16". Still a tough little grapple though. Watch the video of it being used with the Bobcat CT22.

 

[TomSeller]

This is how I did my grapple open/close control. Added a OC single spool valve with Power Beyond in series with the Loader PB line. I made the grapple control lever so it can swing left and right with the loader dump/curl lever. I can operate all the grapple motions with one hand simultaneously. Cost me about $225 total for valve, fittings, and hoses.
EDIT: Before I added the grapple valve I operated it from the rear remotes which was fine but I needed to free up the rear remote for a TnT

gg

Nice work.

 

[JRL305]

Interesting thread on grapples. Since this is a picture thread, I'll dig one up. The WR Long OBG2-48 I installed along with the electric third function valve does everything that I imagined it would. Like everyone says, on a light CUT like my B3200, I notice the extra weight hanging out front. If I would have gone bigger, I would have really been disappointed. There's a lot of great information and experienced people on the forum. I'm glad I listened to all of them in the many "grapple" threads.

John
KD4FTA

 

[Cord]

Anybody say "Grappling Fun"?

http://youtu.be/BSL1kdHDI4A

 

[Threepoint]

Anybody say "Grappling Fun"?

http://youtu.be/BSL1kdHDI4A

This is a hoot, and an eye opener for me! The grade doesn't look all that steep. I would have thought a track machine would have better traction than that. :shocked: Guess it's a job for a CUT.

 

[dragoneggs]

Anybody say "Grappling Fun"?

http://youtu.be/BSL1kdHDI4A

I got a kick out that video.

 

[Cord]

Unfortunately, she didn't shoot half my attempts. One of them I slid down the hill fast enough that when I hit the dirt pile I actually lifted the uphill tires. Besides I wouldn't have used the out of focus video if there was any option. Unless there were chained, I doubt a CUT would have got up the slope. The ground was frozen so there was no bite, but the top 1/4" was melting in the sun and was just the right amount of lube to let me get up the hill, but I lost bite when I turned toward the rocks. Yea, steel cleats on ice is no good.

 

[k0ua]

i enjoyed your video. I thought it was funny enough I showed it to the wife, she liked it too!

 

[dragoneggs]

i enjoyed your video. I thought it was funny enough I showed it to the wife, she liked it too!

I did the same. She laughed too!

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]The ground was frozen so there was no bite, but the top 1/4" was melting in the sun and was just the right amount of lube to let me get up the hill, but I lost bite when I turned toward the rocks. Yea, steel cleats on ice is no good.

Ah, that explains it! You're right, I doubt even the stickiest rubber tread would have done any better. Ground frozen beneath, with a thin, thawed layer on top. What horse folks around here call "greasy footing." Can be very dangerous.

BTW, did you go right back for the rest of those big stones, or wait for another day? :laughing:

 

[gnawbone]

Wayne,
.....
I do agree with others that (because of your loader capabilities) I would stick with a smaller grapple. If you don't have specific needs for a bigger one, or a flat bottom, I'd really look hard at that Everything Attachments 50" grapple. I'd be inclined to say just buy that one, but I don't know your real needs so I can't say that.

I agree with this - I have an L3800 and bought the EA grapple (54" Wicked Root Grapple) last spring. I cleared some land to build a pole building, which included 52 trees including stumps, all being moved to a different location. I could have NEVER done it without my grapple. The EA held up great and continues to operate the same as the day it was delivered. I've moved so much brush and other debris with that thing I can't imagine not having it.

I used to cut limbs/trunks (or whatever) into 5' pieces and load them into a wooden 'box' I built on a carry-all frame. Cut, load by hand, drive to a ravine, unload by hand, and repeat ..... I'd be exhausted. With the grapple I moved more in a month this past summer than I moved in the previous 12 years and it was FUN.

I bought my 3rd function kit from a local dealer that is the area dealer for Construction Attachments, it is called a One Touch kit and between it and the EA grapple you have all of the parts you need to install a 3rd function and grapple on your L3800. The One Touch kit was $699 (last spring) and it includes a replacement 'handle' for your FEL joystick - the replacement handle has 2 buttons on it - one to open the grapple and the other to close it. So, you have one hand on the joystick and can run all of your grapple functions (raise/lower, curl, open/close) without moving your hand. It works great. (Construction Attachments Inc. Hydraulic Breakers, Buckets, Pallet Forks - Skid Steer Loader, Excavator, Backhoe, Tractor)

Good luck with your decision and purchase.

 

[Steve_Miller]

Here's my home made grapple/root rake or whatever you want to call it. I have had it on a CK20 and on my current CK30 and have broken it several times. Engineering by default.

Steve

 

[dragoneggs]

Here's my home made grapple/root rake or whatever you want to call it. I have had it on a CK20 and on my current CK30 and have broken it several times. Engineering by default.

Steve

I can see how you broke it picking up that blue Chevy in the first pic!

 

[k0ua]

I can see how you broke it picking up that blue Chevy in the first pic!

How funny!, I was thinking the same thing.!

 

[Steve_Miller]

I can see how you broke it picking up that blue Chevy in the first pic!

I had to take it off because it caused too much damage.

Steve

 

[jimmysisson]

I thought this was the best way to load the scrap trailer:



Plus a couple of glass lined water heaters and another ton of misc. iron.
Jim