Grapple How big is your root grapple/tractor and what do you use it for?

[newbury]

I'm in the process of trying to decide on a grapple for my M4700 (50HP). In a couple of threads there are scattered discussions of "bigger is better" versus "small does it all".

So I'm looking for input on grapple size and weight versus tractor size, hp, weight. If you can keep it in a neat tidy format it will be easy to summarize.
For example:
52" Wicked grapple, 350 lbs. M4700, 50 HP 4,000 lbs and then any comments like mainly used for brush, concrete, dead whales, etc.

Thanks in advance.
/edit
72" Land Pride, 882 lbs, 48HP tractor, 7,300 lbs w/o grapple

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

72" Land Pride SGC1572 Root Grapple, 882lbs!, 48hp 7,300lbs as equipped without grapple. With a loader capacity of 2,300lbs is does limit lift weight some. Loaded tires and 1000lb 3pt ballast needed so it's not bouncy. Indestructible! Great for dirt work (bulldosing, roots, rocks). Not as great for brush or firewood. I think I would be happiest with a smaller (60" HD root grapple) and a larger lighter flat bottom like the WR Long OBG2.

 

[daveinnh]

60" WR Long WBG2-60 root grapple. Tractor is Kubota L4310 HST. Controller is Fasse Remote Master. One annoying aspect is that the loader dump circuit takes a longgg time to warm up when temperature us below 10 deg-F. I have a 900 lb. concrete ballast block off the 3PTH.

Used for moving logs, brush and trying to restore rock walls. Upon review, I'd seriously consider WR Long's brush grapple instead - as Luke recommends.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Wildkat Stump Grapple. Not sure about weight, probably 300-350 pounds. Use it on my Kioti DK50SE for removing cedar trees and hauling brush to burn piles. It is very well built and is not bent, sprung or broke despite heavy use. Even though it's narrow, it will haul more brush than you would think by looking at it.

The lid opens to 39".

As an added bonus, it was about 1/2 the cost of most grapples.

 

[k0ua]

50 inch EA wicked single lid first generation, it weighs 274lbs. Tractor is DK35se With about 750 lbs ballast barrel, loaded rear tires. I would guess about 6100 lbs with the ballast on the back. I make rock walls, pickup brush and tree trunks. No whales here, dead or living... but I could pick up a small one if there where!

 

[sd455dan]

66 inch unkown brand round tined construction/manure version, opens 48+inches,550lbs?? guess.
tractor 55 HP Rhino- 5350 lbs. before loader or any added equipment, 8000lbs. as it sits with empty grapple and gannon box blade on back...

Very happy with its performance

 

[Rustyiron]

I would suggest that just like a bucket, it should be at least as wide as the tractor width.

 

[newbury]

Some summary:
72" Land Pride, 882 lbs, 48HP tractor, 7,300 lbs w/o grapple
60" WR Long WBG2-60 root grapple. 45 HP tractor kubota L4310 HST, 3100 lbs?
50 inch EA wicked single lid, 274lbs. 38hp DK35se about 6100 lbs with the ballast on the back.
66 inch round tined construction/manure version, 550lbs?? tractor 55 HP Rhino- 8000lbs working.
60" Dual lid Root Grapple, Michigan Iron, 400lbs, tractor 41hp, 4,100 lbs tractor alone
Thanks for the data points guys.

 

[murphy1244]

60" Dual lid Root Grapple, Michigan Iron, 400lbs,Kioti DK-40SE-HST, 2750lbs lift.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

50 inch EA wicked single lid first generation, it weighs 274lbs. Tractor is DK35se With about 750 lbs ballast barrel, loaded rear tires. I would guess about 6100 lbs with the ballast on the back. I make rock walls, pickup brush and tree trunks. No whales here, dead or living... but I could pick up a small one if there where!

View attachment 437073View attachment 437074

Nice pics!
FYI, we haven't ever, and do not plan to change the 50" Single Lid Wicked Grapple.
We did recently increase the opening of the 54" and up models, but that 50" has been the cat's meow for it's intended purposes and then some!!
Travis


Travis

 

[OrangeToys]

50 inch EA wicked single lid first generation, it weighs 274lbs. Tractor is DK35se With about 750 lbs ballast barrel, loaded rear tires. I would guess about 6100 lbs with the ballast on the back. I make rock walls, pickup brush and tree trunks. No whales here, dead or living... but I could pick up a small one if there where!

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/437073-how-big-your-root-grapple-img_20140401_161949_520-jpg"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/attachments/437074-how-big-your-root-grapple-dscf0550-jpg"/>

Makes me want to get one for my7060

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Makes me want to get one for my7060

I recommend you checking out the new Wicked Grapple for Utility Tractors that is now in process. Perfect match for a 7060!!!
Travis

 

[OrangeToys]

I recommend you checking out the new Wicked Grapple for Utility Tractors that is now in process. Perfect match for a 7060!!!
Travis

I was just reading that thread and looks impressive. Any videos of it yet?

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I was just reading that thread and looks impressive. Any videos of it yet?

Not yet, but we should have some photos of the build process this week as they're making it. I'll keep the thread updated as we go!
Travis

 

[EverythingAttachments]

To the OP.....sorry to disturb this thread....back on topic!

...oh, and you know my vote!
Travis

 

[oosik]

View attachment 437170Grapple - Land Pride, SGC1560, weight- 820#, width- 60" ---- Tractor - Kubota M6040, 60hp, weight w/grapple, rear blade & "wet" rear tires- 9690# Uses - picking & moving- rocks, trees, brush - - back grading to clear small rocks & brush & level small areas.

 

[aeblank]

I went with a 66" on my L3940.
Just picked it up this weekend!!

 

[sd455dan]

66 inch unkown brand round tined construction/manure version, opens 48+inches,550lbs?? guess.
tractor 55 HP Rhino- 5350 lbs. before loader or any added equipment, 8000lbs. as it sits with empty grapple and gannon box blade on back...

Very happy with its performance

Found a new use for the grapple today.

Had a hard time finding hay this year( due to local production being 45-55% of normal)

anyway our farmer friend had some extra he imports from canada.
they are about 3 x 4 x 8 and are weighed and guaranteed to be at least 1080lbs. guessing it is a Canadian thing? so 2 make a metric ton??

He loaded 8 on our 5th wheel trailer and i needed to unload them at home so it occurred to me that my grapple is somewhat similar to a bale spear,
so i removed 5 of the 9 round tines and went at it.


On the bottom bales actually was able to just grapple them normally, but unfortunately some did need to be speared.

The grapple worked fine to stack up to 3 high and talk about saving the old back:thumbsup:
-last year had to hand stack regular small squares :grumpy:

Like this way of handling hay- i think it even beats the round bales

the old grapple suprized me again with its versatility

 

[Rustyiron]

I welded a #10 rebar across the top back to catch the top of a log so that I can pick it up the "long" way. I buck my firewood at the splitter this way at a standing position keeping the bar off the ground.

 

[sd455dan]

I welded a #10 rebar across the top back to catch the top of a log so that I can pick it up the "long" way. I buck my firewood at the splitter this way at a standing position keeping the bar off the ground.

That looks handy, I may have to borrow that idea, looks like an easy way to buck the wood up without re-positioning the log :thumbsup: