I need some quick advice for a backhoe grapple

[Piston]

I found a grapple for sale that I was thinking about adapting to my backhoe. I'm looking for some advice if it is worthwhile or not.
I was also thinking of using the grapple to build a 3pt hitch log grapple for skidding logs.
The grapple has a 40" opening and weighs 350lbs. The rotation motor on it is broken, so it doesn't rotate now. I was told I can use it without the rotation motor, but I would just have no control of which way it goes, it would freely rotate.

I am thinking about putting it on a John Deere 410 backhoe, to use for log handling and log piling.
I would also adapt it to use on a 3pt hitch implement so I could have a grapple skidder on my kubota L4610

I was thinking for the backhoe, I could disconnect the curl function on the backhoe, and add quick connect couplings to use with the grapple, and then I could use the curl function to open and close the grapple. Does this sound like it would work well? Or do I have to add another valve to control it?

I can buy the grapple for $500.

I'll post a pic.

 

[Piston]

Anyone know how much a new grapple would go for? (similar to this type)

 

[dfkrug]

I was thinking for the backhoe, I could disconnect the curl function on the backhoe, and add quick connect couplings to use with the grapple, and then I could use the curl function to open and close the grapple. Does this sound like it would work well? Or do I have to add another valve to control it?

I can buy the grapple for $500.

Nice find.

I would fix the rotation motor, so you can use that when you stack logs.
I don't have that setup, but it would come in handy with all the logs I
stack.

If you do not fix the rotation motor, you can mount it from your loader
or hoe, and use it with the curl circuit as you described. That is how I
run my hyd PHD, which dangles freely from my hoe. I fyou do use the
rotation motor, you will need another hyd function, as you know.

From the 3-pt, you can use a grapple with or without the rotation function,
but if the latter, it would be better if it can rotate freely.

 

[kennyd]

I would pass, and here's why: what is the total height you can lift the boom on your BH? Maybe 10' or so? That grapple looks about 3' tall or so, leaving a lift height of about 7', the further you reach out the less height you will have. I just don't see it being that usefull, plus it will cost probably another $300 to get it hooked up and working. Does your BH have an extra circuit on the boom?

 

[Taylortractornut]

Id do this weigh the bucket and add enough weight to it to make it weigh 350 pounds. THen hook a log to it. See how it handles logs you would typically be dealing with. Also position the test log in a few ways. Mid balanced lift or over centered and let the butt rest on the stick or Heel the log as we call it.


Ive done this a quite a few times fitting grapples to trucks and a few backhoes. If its too much look for another or build one. Im making some patterns right now for my tlb and Mini ex. I have a friend with a small Prentice and his grapple didnt have a rotator on it. it take some getting used to. What I do loading to turn the logs is i get it just a hair off center so one end will hang a little lower and eith bump it on the othe logs on the pile of a scarficial bunk on the truck lol.

THeres a rock quarry here, just an ornamental stone yard and the owner had a 455 JD track loader with a backhoe on back. Under the hoe I put a remvable reciver hitch on under the hoe and put a grapple on the hoe in place of the bucket. He had half a log truck we made into a trailer. He logged off a new section of quarry and used the old track loader for loading logs like a forwarder.