Grappling fun - A Picture Thread....

[tractorshopper]

Question here for you grapple experts. I have only had mine on this tractor, so am relatively new to grappling. This is the first tractor set up I've owned or used even that has the extra function installed that runs my grapple.

When I remove the grapple for longer periods (weeks between use), and reinstall, it seems like it won't work at all for some period of time. I have to assume this has something to do with hydraulic fluid, but when I undo the lines for the grapple either at the loader valve end or at the bucket end, I don't lose much more than several drops or drips of fluid.

Why does it seem to take a good while before the grapple will actually work again? Is there a way to speed this function back up? I would have assumed that each time I reinstall the grapple that it should pretty much work immediately, just like if I reconnect the FEL and it works immediately. Am I missing something? Is this something I can fix quickly or something I should be talking to my dealer about?

I will reinstall the grapple tomorrow to get some work done and most likely it could be a half hour or more before it will open and close, but the FEL arms and tilt functions will work as soon as I hook it all up.

 

[Xfaxman]

From reading the problems your dealer had, something may not be plumbed right. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...grapple-thoughts-post4092651.html#post4092651

Pictures would help.

 

[IslandTractor]

Agree with Xfaxman. I have never experienced any delay even after overwinter without use. ?? Could air be getting in.

 

[tractorshopper]

Air could be getting in, although I would think there'd have to be a leak in the lines to allow room for air to go in. I really don't lose much fluid when disconnecting/reconnecting, so I didn't think that would be the problem.

I did not hook it up this weekend. Just didn't have the time that I thought I would. Probably will next weekend. If problem persists, I'll take it to the dealer to look at. Still under warranty.

 

[kminnick]

Would an OBG-2 64" be too small for a New Holland TN75A?

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Would an OBG-2 64" be too small for a New Holland TN75A?

Small isn't really the word, but it isn't built strong enough to withstand what a TN75 is capable of lifting or pushing.
The OBG1-64 or wider would be the proper match in the WR Long lineup.

Our new 55" and 73" Wicked Grapples for Utility Tractors would be my favorite match for your tractor!
Travis

 

[Xfaxman]

Would an OBG-2 64" be too small for a New Holland TN75A?

Small isn't really the word, but it isn't built strong enough to withstand what a TN75 is capable of lifting or pushing.
The OBG1-64 or wider would be the proper match in the WR Long lineup.

Our new 55" and 73" Wicked Grapples for Utility Tractors would be my favorite match for your tractor!
Travis

Travis is right. :thumbsup: I have one of the smallest grapples (narrow, 44") made, but it weighs 946 pounds and is super strong, with 1 inch thick tines.

Narrow can still lift wide.

 

[IslandTractor]

Agree that width is not an issue. Big excavators rarely mount grapples wider than 36" or so.

There is an understandable but incorrect assumption new buyers often have that grapples should be as wide as the standard bucket. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Unless you are collecting construction debris a narrower grapple is almost always more versatile, more maneuverable and less expensive while at the same time leaving you with greater lift capacity. Standard single jaw 48-60" grapples should handle virtually any task a CUT owner will want.

 

[aeblank]

grapples should be as wide as the standard bucket. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I agree! I was originally wanting a 72" double lid. Eventually ended up with a 66" single lid. I'm glad about the size AND the number of lids.
The reason for the size is maneuverability, pure and simple. My woods is tight.
The reason on the number of lids is that I often slip/whatever and need to re-open the lid a couple inches. With 1 lid, that's no problem. With 2 lids, I'm almost positive I couldn't do that. One lid will *always* be easier to open than the other, and thus it'll open first, then the second one will move (at the very least, one will move faster than the other). So I'd *always* have to do full-open any time I opened at all. BLEAH that.

 

[Raised on a Deere]

Amen to Island Tractor. Once I saw the potential of a grapple on a 4wd tractor I knew it would be a fantastic investment and I struggled for over a year with a decision on what to buy and finally decided to bite the bullet and get a 72" Wicked grapple. I had already missed out on working one summer and a year ago last spring I called to place the order. There was a 5 week waiting period. I read what Island Tractor been saying and decided to consider other options for the sake of getting something quicker. I ran across a The NAI site and found a grapple single lid 48" for around $1000, I forget exactly the amount, and he could get it to me in time for me to start my projects within my work time window . I felt very disappointed that I had backed myself into a corner time wise and missed out on the Wicked grapple. But Time and time again as I began using my grapple I was thinking, thank goodness I didn't get the 6' grapple. I have done everything from digging stumps, root raking, picking up tree trimmings and carrying whole trees and stumps, and then take off with it as I bush hog 15 acres. The smaller weight in a strong grapple pays big dividends over time in versatility. Are there times that a wider double lid would actually better for a certain particular load on my projects? You betcha but working all day in a wide variety of situations there would be a penalty for the extra weight and extra width that knowing what I know now I wouldn't want to put up with.

It really depends on your what you are doing. Just don't get too fantasized over some unique one time advantage of the double lid or the extra weight. If all I was doing is picking up tree trimmings and left overs from wood cutting in a wide open space and then removing the grapple as soon as the job is done I would get the double lid wide grapple. Or if I was clearing acres of vines and root raking mostly I would want something as wide as my tractor. But for fence rows, and cleaning around this building or that building or that tree or drainage area narrow just works better.

 

[kminnick]

Agree that width is not an issue. Big excavators rarely mount grapples wider than 36" or so.

There is an understandable but incorrect assumption new buyers often have that grapples should be as wide as the standard bucket. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Unless you are collecting construction debris a narrower grapple is almost always more versatile, more maneuverable and less expensive while at the same time leaving you with greater lift capacity. Standard single jaw 48-60" grapples should handle virtually any task a CUT owner will want.

OK - Small was not the correct term I was looking for. I've already decided I don't want anything wider than ~64" (maneuverability, weight). But my lift / break-out force isn't that much greater than a good 50 HP CUT. I certainly don't have the lift of Afaxman (5500 pounds?).

 

[kminnick]

Agree that width is not an issue. Big excavators rarely mount grapples wider than 36" or so.

There is an understandable but incorrect assumption new buyers often have that grapples should be as wide as the standard bucket. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Unless you are collecting construction debris a narrower grapple is almost always more versatile, more maneuverable and less expensive while at the same time leaving you with greater lift capacity. Standard single jaw 48-60" grapples should handle virtually any task a CUT owner will want.

OK - Small was not the correct term I was looking for. I've already decided I don't want anything wider than ~64" (maneuverability, weight). But my lift / break-out force isn't that much greater than a good 50 HP CUT. I certainly don't have the lift of Afaxman (5500 pounds?).

 

[kminnick]

Small isn't really the word, but it isn't built strong enough to withstand what a TN75 is capable of lifting or pushing.
The OBG1-64 or wider would be the proper match in the WR Long lineup.

Our new 55" and 73" Wicked Grapples for Utility Tractors would be my favorite match for your tractor!
Travis

Holy cow - what does this weigh? My lift is only 2600 pounds and a breakout of 3900 lbs. That's about what a m4900 or Mahindra 4530 or Kioti DK50SE does. What am I missing?

 

[kminnick]

I've been looking at the difference between a 'Rock bucket grapple' and a 'Root grapple'. Is one more generic/all-around useful? I do have a bunch of road/bed rock that I need to sift through to get the dirt out, but maybe a rock bucket is all I need for that. Thanks for your input!

I'll stop asking questions since this is a 'picture thread'. Thanks,

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Holy cow - what does this weigh? My lift is only 2600 pounds and a breakout of 3900 lbs. That's about what a m4900 or Mahindra 4530 or Kioti DK50SE does. What am I missing?

I don't know if you're missing anything, but I think you're underestimating your tractor. Lifting capacity doesn't necessarily break/bend grapples.
The TN75 is a true, large frame utility tractor with impressive pushing ability. Pushing/twisting will cause damage way before simple lifting.

Don't get me wrong.....the careful operator can get by with one of of our 60" Compact Wicked Grapples on a utility tractor or skid steer, but we do not recommend trying it when you can invest a few hundred more and have peace of mind.

The 73" Wicked Utility Grapple weighs 665 pounds, so the 55" will be less than 600.
Many grapples for utility tractors are in the 800-1000+ pound range...that, you'd feel.

I'm not the OP, but i'm pretty sure questions are welcome around here. :thumbsup:
Travis

Oh, since it's a picture thread, here's Ted with his adrenaline pumping while testing the new Wicked Utility Grapple.
He used and abused both the grapple and his brand new Kubota L6060. What a blast!!
Travis

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't know if you're missing anything, but I think you're underestimating your tractor. Lifting capacity doesn't necessarily break/bend grapples.
The TN75 is a true, large frame utility tractor with impressive pushing ability. Pushing/twisting will cause damage way before simple lifting.

Don't get me wrong.....the careful operator can get by with one of of our 60" Compact Wicked Grapples on a utility tractor or skid steer, but we do not recommend trying it when you can invest a few hundred more and have peace of mind.

The 73" Wicked Utility Grapple weighs 665 pounds, so the 55" will be less than 600.
Many grapples for utility tractors are in the 800-1000+ pound range...that, you'd feel.

I'm not the OP, but i'm pretty sure questions are welcome around here. :thumbsup:
Travis

Oh, since it's a picture thread, here's Ted with his adrenaline pumping while testing the new Wicked Utility Grapple.
He used and abused both the grapple and his brand new Kubota L6060. What a blast!!
Travis

View attachment 443186

I have to tell you guys (EA) that despite being a pretty experienced grapple fanatic I can barely figure out your grapple website offerings and find your in house brand naming system completely confusing. Compact, Mega Compact, Version 2 etc etc. It's no wonder that people have difficulty deciding. I cannot even find the new "moderate" duty single lid 50 something inches wide grapple made with 3/8".

Many moons ago when I was first looking for a grapple I chanced upon the WRLong website. Haven't been back there for a while but I recall they set it up with a VERY helpful and clearly written set of FAQ pages that discussed all things grapploid. Really very useful. They also use a simpler to remember naming system (even if it is a bit obscure) OBG and RBG are much easier to remember than "Everything Attachments 55" Root Grapple For Mega Compact and Utility Tractors" even if your name is self explanatory. I'd suggest you apply the KISS principle and stop naming grapples with full sentences. It would also help to nest the different types of grapples rather than having them all on one page. I cannot easily tell where the compact grapples stop and the mega compact grapples begin. For a newbie this must be even more confusing.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I have to tell you guys (EA) that despite being a pretty experienced grapple fanatic I can barely figure out your grapple website offerings and find your in house brand naming system completely confusing. Compact, Mega Compact, Version 2 etc etc. It's no wonder that people have difficulty deciding. I cannot even find the new "moderate" duty single lid 50 something inches wide grapple made with 3/8".

Many moons ago when I was first looking for a grapple I chanced upon the WRLong website. Haven't been back there for a while but I recall they set it up with a VERY helpful and clearly written set of FAQ pages that discussed all things grapploid. Really very useful. They also use a simpler to remember naming system (even if it is a bit obscure) OBG and RBG are much easier to remember than "Everything Attachments 55" Root Grapple For Mega Compact and Utility Tractors" even if your name is self explanatory. I'd suggest you apply the KISS principle and stop naming grapples with full sentences. It would also help to nest the different types of grapples rather than having them all on one page. I cannot easily tell where the compact grapples stop and the mega compact grapples begin. For a newbie this must be even more confusing.

Thanks for the advice. I'm working on that right now.
Travis

 

[Xfaxman]

I've been looking at the difference between a 'Rock bucket grapple' and a 'Root grapple'. Is one more generic/all-around useful? I do have a bunch of road/bed rock that I need to sift through to get the dirt out, but maybe a rock bucket is all I need for that. Thanks for your input!

I'll stop asking questions since this is a 'picture thread'. Thanks,

Questions are welcome anywhere, anytime on TBN.

This one is a 'clamshell' or 'root grapple'. This was my first grapple and my first Versahandler, a V518.

Two independent lids. :thumbsup:

Not much room for brush when closed. :thumbdown:

This is my second Versahandler, a V417, with my favorite type of grapple for my needs.

Opens to 51 inches. :thumbsup:

Two independent lids. :thumbsup:

Lots of room for brush. :thumbsup:

 

[kminnick]

The second one looks cool. Independent controls is awesome. Do you have multiple buttons on your joystick?

 

[kminnick]

So, I have 3 remotes on my tractor (that I'm in the middle of purchasing). I plan on using one of the rears (at least temporary). I think the NH has the Ag/open-type quick connects. Some of the grapples have 'Flat Face'. What is the difference and what should I be using? Do you guys make your own lines (seems like expensive crimping tools)? And it looks like there are 1/2" & 3/4" that are pretty standard. Guess I need to look up somewhere what the NH TN75A has on it.