Is a 25 HP tractor too small for a grapple.

[HP942]

Here is my situation, I have an LS XJ2025H and it is great for my 3.5 acre lot. I mow and landscape with it. I also keep a good supply of firewood logs to cut and split for my fireplace. I am currently using pallet forks to move my logs to the cutting/splitting area and to my small band-sawmill. Grapples appear to be the cat’s meow, but I really only see me using it to move logs now. I don’t have a 3rd function or diverter and don’t know if I can justify the cost. I’m a couple years away from retiring and will be spending more time at my 120 “farm” and hunting property. I plan on buying an additional larger 40-50 hp tractor then with a grapple. A grapple purchased now would likely be too small and light weight to use on the future machine. Am I missing out….is a grapple for my small tractor worth it? The cool factor is there, but is it practical?

I forgot to mention, I have loaded rear tires and alway use a counterweight on the 3PH.

 

[K5lwq]

25 HP is not a problem with the grapple but the light weight of the tractor is a factor. If you are getting by with the forks and plan on a bigger tractor later then I would wait on the grapple.

 

[sea2summit]

It’s not the HP, it’s the capabilities of the FEL and weight of the tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

I only see using a grapple to move logs. I don’t have a 3rd function or diverter and don’t know if I can justify the cost.

I have loaded rear tires and alway use a counterweight on the 3PH.

Buy light duty clamp-on Pallet Forks for your LS XJ2025H moving logs.

30" length optimum. 36" length max.

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Titan Attachments Light-Duty 43" Clamp-On Pallet Forks, 30" x 3" Fork Length | eBay

The Light-Duty Clamp-On Pallet Fork Blades are designed to easily install on the front of your skid steer or tractor loader bucket. This universal mount slides over the bucket cutting edge and utilizes the underside for leverage.

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LS XJ2025 Attachments​

LS LL2101 Loader
Loader weight:	638 lbs 289 kg
Height (to pin):	85.7 inches 217 cm
Clearance, dumped bucket:	65 inches 165 cm
Dump reach:	22 inches 55 cm
Dump angle:	52°
Rollback angle:	43°
Breakout force (at pin):	1643 lbs 745 kg
Lift to full height (at pin):	1277 lbs 579 kg

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[jeff9366]

I have an LS XJ2025H and it is great for my 3.5 acre lot. When I retire I plan on buying a 40-50 hp tractor with a grapple.

LS XJ2025 Dimensions​

Dimensions
Wheelbase:	59 inches 149 cm
Length:	103 inches 261 cm
Width:	44.9 inches 114 cm
Height (ROPS):	92.3 inches 234 cm
Gear Weight:	1785 lbs 809 kg
Hydro Weight:	1609 lbs 729 kg

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor weight than any other single (1) specification.

Sufficient tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.

Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, a significant tractor capability increase requires a bare tractor weight increase of 50%. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!

 

[newbury]

I've an even smaller tractor, a Kubota B7610, and although I've long desired a grapple I've gotten along well with pallet forks and a chain to wrap around stuff like branches and stumps.
But for moving logs to a small sawmill my B7610 couldn't lift much of a log with the FEL but I used a set of 3pt pallet forks like Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks 3 Pt Pallet | Agri Supply 72511

 

[jeff9366]

I've an even smaller tractor, a Kubota B7610, and although I've long desired a grapple I've gotten along well with pallet forks and a chain to wrap around stuff like branches and stumps.
But for moving logs to a small sawmill my B7610 couldn't lift much of a log with the FEL but I used a set of 3pt pallet forks like Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks 3 Pt Pallet | Agri Supply 72511

LS XJ2025​

tractor hitch
Rear Type:	I
Control:	position control
Rear lift (at ends):	1433 lbs 650 kg

In the case of the LS XJ2025H there is no practical additional lift a the TPH over the FEL.
TPH = 1,433
FEL = 1277 TO FULL HEIGHT.

The FEL MAY have more lift capacity to, say, 30" height.

 

[HP942]

Buy light duty clamp-on Pallet Forks for your LS XJ2025H moving logs.

30" length optimum. 36" length max.

VEVOR 60" 2000lbs Clamp on Pallet Forks Loader Bucket Skidsteer Tractor | eBay

Why Choose VEVOR?. VEVOR Clamp on Pallet Forks 2000lbs Tractor Forks 60" Adjustable Bucket Forks. VEVOR Clamp on Pallet Forks 2000lbs Tractor Forks 43" Heavy Duty Bucket Forks. VEVOR Tractor Pallet Forks 43" 1500lb Loader Bucket Clamp on Forks Skidsteer.

www.ebay.com

Titan Attachments Light-Duty 43" Clamp-On Pallet Forks, 30" x 3" Fork Length | eBay

The Light-Duty Clamp-On Pallet Fork Blades are designed to easily install on the front of your skid steer or tractor loader bucket. This universal mount slides over the bucket cutting edge and utilizes the underside for leverage.

www.ebay.com

LS XJ2025 Attachments​

LS LL2101 Loader
Loader weight:	638 lbs 289 kg
Height (to pin):	85.7 inches 217 cm
Clearance, dumped bucket:	65 inches 165 cm
Dump reach:	22 inches 55 cm
Dump angle:	52°
Rollback angle:	43°
Breakout force (at pin):	1643 lbs 745 kg
Lift to full height (at pin):	1277 lbs 579 kg

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  4.2 MB · Views: 168

I have pallet forks and use them all the time. I would love to have a grapple, but I think I’ll wait until I have a second tractor.

 

[dlctcg]

Buy light duty clamp-on Pallet Forks for your LS XJ2025H moving logs.

Pretty sure he already has a set of pallet forks...

I am currently using pallet forks to move my logs to the cutting/splitting area and to my small band-sawmill.

I would wait on the grapple if you are going to purchase a larger machine in the future... to put the 3rd function on your current & buy a grapple for it... only to purchease a bigger machine in the next couple of years... keep using your forks for now & put the money into the bigger machine....

 

[John_Mc]

You might want to look at a forestry grapple, such as the Frostbite or Sundown GR40. I put one of those on my NH TC33D with a Woods 1012 loader. They are great for moving logs (not good for firewood or other small objects). They weigh a good bit less than other grapples, so you are not sacrificing much lift capacity to the weight of your grapple: my Sundown GR40 weighs almost the same as the bucket it replaces. The upside is that the grapple is heavy-duty enough to be used on larger tractors, so you could take it with you to your future 40-50 HP tractor.

I would not be without my forestry grapple. I do a lot of work in the woods and have shuffled a lot of logs with it. There are some downsides: while it works great for moving logs and picking up brush, it is not useful for moving smaller items (cut and split firewood, small rocks, etc.) As others have noted, the size and weight of your tractor will limit the size of logs you can handle.