Guess what this threads about!!!

[IslandTractor]

Looking at the photos (and skimpy info) on the Markham site, I can't really tell how the Gator/Mini-gatror is different from the standard Markham root grapple. Can someone enlighten me?sites.

Main difference is that it is narrower (36 inches vs 48) and it has a trapazpoidal "foot print" rather than rectangular with the grapple. I guess in theory it is built like a stump bucket to focus all force right in the middle rather than across the whole grapple.

 

[dangerdoc]

Re: Guess what this threads about? Grapples!

I know there are alot of grapple threads, but most of what is talked about is about how the 48" wide can do the work of the wider ones, and in most cases is better because it focuses the pressure to a smaller area, for uprooting trees and such.

My question is, how narrow is TO narrow?

I have 50 acres of woods, and am working on clearing a long drive, and am starting off with a small area for a camp/eventual home site. I know there is other equipment better suited to this task, but that is not an option. I don't have the money, but I do have a nice 40hp tractor with a loader. And I enjoy hauling it over there and working on my days off, I am in no hurry, and so far I have made great progress with just the bucket. But I need me a grapple.

The two I am looking at is the Markham light duty grapple 48", that many on here have had good luck with.
The other is the Mini gator Extreme, which is 30" wide, and is much more robust/stouter design.
They cost the same, and the weight should be about the same.
I am sure the Gator will be better at uprooting the trees, which is what I will be using it the most for. But at 30" if I have to move brush piles and such, would it be able to get a good enough bite? What about moving old bales of hay? I am thinking it would be fine for moving trees with trunks, but I am not sure about pulling out brush and similar things.

What do you more experianced guys think?

I have the narrower markham bucket.

I bought it because where I cut wood, things are tight and a foot narrower bucket does help in a tight spot. I also plan on using it on a bobcat from time to time and wanted a bucket that would stand up to a more powerful machine.

When scooping up brush, it clears an area as wide as my tractor. For rocks, the narrow heavy duty rake enters the earth with minimal resistance making it easy to get down under the rocks.

I have moves logs, rocks and even dug out a few small trees, the heavy tines have not bent.

So far, I am happy with it.

 

[Ken45101]

Main difference is that it is narrower (36 inches vs 48) and it has a trapazpoidal "foot print" rather than rectangular with the grapple. I guess in theory it is built like a stump bucket to focus all force right in the middle rather than across the whole grapple.

Thanks for the explanation!

The big gator looks bigger than I want, and the smaller one looks smaller than I want. I've gone ahead and ordered the 60" Extreme duty grapple (non gator). It's supposed to ship tomorrow.


Ken

 

[J_J]

If you will be digging up roots and digging out rocks. you might consider more of a root rake/grapple combination. Root rakes are usually stronger, and there is nothing to inhibit the tines from raking through the ground to do a more effective job at root work. Grapple rakes , have a flat bottom to get under brush piles. It sound like you need a root rake grapple.

The third picture looks like the right combination for root work, and the ability to grab a rather large pile of debris/limbs, etc.

 

[IslandTractor]

If you will be digging up roots and digging out rocks. you might consider more of a root rake/grapple combination. Root rakes are usually stronger, and there is nothing to inhibit the tines from raking through the ground to do a more effective job at root work. Grapple rakes , have a flat bottom to get under brush piles. It sound like you need a root rake grapple.

The third picture looks like the right combination for root work, and the ability to grab a rather large pile of debris/limbs, etc.

JJ, I think your basic point is correct and bulldozers do have the "claw" type root rake for that reason. However, it is not a very good idea IMO to use a CUT FEL for that type of "rip through the ground as you drive forward" type of work as the FEL arms are too long and not sturdy enough to withstand the forces involved (note that bulldozer arms are short and stubby as they don't need to lift anything and are purpose built for root rake work). In my experience the best way to deal with roots while using an FEL on a CUT is to identify the root or just very gingerly "bulldoze" at slow speed until you engage the root then to use curl/lift rather than forward motion of the CUT to get the root out. CUT FELs are really designed more as loaders and not bulldozers. My point is that it is not the grapple style that limits what a CUT FEL can do but rather the design and engineering of the FEL itself. I'd be more concerned with damaging the FEL arms than the grapple regardless of grapple style.

 

[Ken45101]

J J,

I'm not sure if you are referring to me or someone else.

I strongly considered the clamshell type for the reasons you mentioned and for being able to clamp smaller bunches. I have a lot of wild grape vines in the woods that I plan to pull out. But I probably won't be digging a lot of roots with it although I may do some trees/stumps.

But I'll be using the grapple primarily on a skid steer to clear brush and junk in the woods. If I really want to pull roots, I'll probably do it with the teeth on a box blade.

Ken