Grappling Today

[indianaEPH]

Just got my gapple in use today. It is a medium duty 60" (about 600 lbs) dual cylinder root grapple. I had to get a skid steer QA to mount it to my loader. After about 3 weeks of waiting I got the QA this week and I have been ready for the weekend to do some work.

I have read all the threads about light weight vs. heavy grapples. I was a little worried that this one would be to heavy, However, based on the work today I am very pleased with the results. My lift capacity easily exceeds the volume capicity (how much brush I can fit in the grapple). I even transproted a large log without any problem. I can definitly feel the weight though. 600+ lbs way out front makes itself known.

but...all in all I give it my :thumbsup:

 

[crash325]

Congrats. Enjoy.
In the first picture you do look a little light in the Rear.

Now you have an excuse for a second helping of Desert. :laughing:

On my "To Build" list is a gapple.

 

[Don87]

Looks like you had a great time today with your new toy........er I mean tool

 

[Greenpole bandit]

What brand of grapple is that .

 

[hizoot]

....and what tractor is you is driving

 

[Combustix]

your gonna enjoy that thing, I use mine now more than the bucket. Have picked up some good size loads, Just take it easy keep the load low and be ready to dump if you have to. Have gotten pretty tippy with mine carring trees and brush. enjoy :thumbsup:

 

[dstig1]

You should never run into a weight limit when using it on brush. It's just not dense enough. Where you will tun into the limit is things like large stumps or logs.

Handy suckers, aren't they?

 

[indianaEPH]

your gonna enjoy that thing, I use mine now more than the bucket. Have picked up some good size loads, Just take it easy keep the load low and be ready to dump if you have to. Have gotten pretty tippy with mine carring trees and brush. enjoy :thumbsup:

Yes, good advice. I already noticed the rear end getting very light and loosing traction. I think my box blade weighs about 700lbs and it is not enough with a full load at the grapple.

 

[indianaEPH]

What brand of grapple is that .

Unlimited Fabrication

 

[indianaEPH]

....and what tractor is you is driving

That is a TYM 390. Basically the same as a Mahindra 4110 but with a Kubota engine. I've had it for about 6 years and have been very pleased with it . 425 hours on it now.

 

[Greenpole bandit]

I am driving a Mahindra 5035 and a Kubota BX 2200

 

[Piston]

Glad you got your grapple all setup and in use. I use mine all the time and much more than the bucket. I think you'll be very happy with the size grapple you got. I haven't found a situation where the smaller, lighter size would have enabled me to lift something that the larger grapple can't. Typically when I find a log or stump that is too heavy to lift, it is much heavier than a slightly lighter grapple would have lifted anyways.
Grappling is fun isn't it!

All in all I think any grapple allows you to do so much more with your tractor than otherwise possible. Don't forget to post pics in use

 

[irwin]

Originally Posted by indianaEPH
Yes, good advice. I already noticed the rear end getting very light and loosing traction. I think my box blade weighs about 700lbs and it is not enough with a full load at the grapple.

Time to get a Bradco 509 backhoe .. just for counter weight mind you..

What brand of grapple is that .

Welcome to TBN Gp bandit

 

[teg]

...All in all I think any grapple allows you to do so much more with your tractor than otherwise possible...

Very true, I don't have a "real" grapple but this works for me!!!

 

[jake98]

Unlimited Fabrication

I have one of theirs, they were great to deal with. Good value too. I'm probably going to lighten mine up when I get a little better at plasma cutting.

 

[indianaEPH]

Very true, I don't have a "real" grapple but this works for me!!!

wow, nice lift. looks heavy!

 

[Bascom]

Congrats on the grapple, indianaEPH!

They sure are fun!

 

[BigBoyinMS]

Ain't nuthin' like a grapple! My used and abused Montana came with a 66" twin cylinder but I think I would rather have had the 60" twin. The smaller one would fit in tighter places and would pickup almost as much.
Good buy!

 

[irwin]

Ain't nuthin' like a grapple! My used and abused Montana came with a 66" twin cylinder but I think I would rather have had the 60" twin. The smaller one would fit in tighter places and would pickup almost as much.
Good buy!

Most of the time a smaller grapple would work fine.. but the times I need to go forward while clearing a path I'm glad I've got the 64", just a little safer for the front tires. It's not often, but those situations happen... for me anyway. I haven't run into a situation where it had to be narrower.. a few times it woulda been nice... but mostly I'm happy I made the choice for wheel coverage.

 

[Rockgod]

Very cool, thanks for the photos! :thumbsup: