Is a 25 HP tractor too small for a grapple.

[airbiscuit]

 

[2manyrocks]

Something helpful is to get one of the free log weight estimator charts like this one. Green Log Weight Charts & Calculator | Sherrilltree

Green logs can weigh a lot more than one might suspect. It would be a good idea to figure out how much weight you actually need to move. Then buy the appropriate loader capacity of the tractor you actually need.

If moving logs is your primary need, maybe consider a skid steer.

 

[scaredychicken]

My Kubota BX23S uses a grapple just fine.

it's one of my favourite implements

 

[oosik]

I started out with a 1982 Ford 1700 - 4WD. With loaded rear tires it weighed around 2750. I never had a grapple for this tractor. I would chain my pine logs to the bucket and lift. It was disappointing. I don't think I could ever lift over 1000#.

In 2009 I bought a new Kubota M6040. I have a very HD grapple on this tractor. I'm able to lift and move logs and rocks - 3000+ - - VERY carefully. My normal lift seldom exceeds 2500#.

The Owners Manual for your FEL should have lift graphs. It will show what you can lift and to what height. Subtract the weight of any grapple you purchase from the projected lift on the graph and this will be what you can lift. Jeff's info shows 1277# to full height at the lift pins. That is - more or less - a bogus figure. Nothing is ever lifted at the lift pins. The center of lift will be at some distance forward of the lift pins - 18" or maybe 24". However - it is a figure that can be used when comparing tractor A to tractor B.

I would recommend that you get some sort of manual clamping arrangement that will work with your pallet forks. Save your money for the future tractor - appropriate grapple - 3rd function valve.

 

[Mrsig]

I use my grapple on my LS all the time! I have moved tons and tons of wood & more with it. It help with stumps and so much more.

 

[BnRidge]

Grapple, bucket, tree puller, , , , , forks - currently this is the order of preference here. Like above, the grapple has been a game changer regarding moving tons and tons of wood. It's rare that I handle it by hand anymore other than splitting and stacking. People love their forks, but I really struggle to find a use for them that is functional other than pallets. The first time I lifted a log with them, and it tipped up and nearly fell onto the tractor, off they went and the grapple back on. CTA makes a light weight unit that is bullet proof. If you don't have a proper setup though at the moment, keep in mind the potential for later. Save your money for the future tractor - appropriate grapple - 3rd function valve. I made do for many many years. There are ways to move logs and the rest that don't involve hydraulics, but once you've got it, you won't go back.

 

[John_Mc]

The Owners Manual for your FEL should have lift graphs. It will show what you can lift and to what height. Subtract the weight of any grapple you purchase from the projected lift on the graph and this will be what you can lift. Jeff's info shows 1277# to full height at the lift pins. That is - more or less - a bogus figure. Nothing is ever lifted at the lift pins. The center of lift will be at some distance forward of the lift pins - 18" or maybe 24". However - it is a figure that can be used when comparing tractor A to tractor B.

That’s a good point. You can’t lift the rating of the loader at the pins to the full height. Some loaders have 2 specs: one at the pins, and another a specified distance from the pins. That second spec gives you a more realistic idea of what you can lift if you include the weight of the implement on the loader plus the log/rock/whatever you are trying to lift.

However, unless you are trying to stack your logs really high, or load them over the side of a tall dump truck or something, you seldom have to lift to full height. The loader can pick up much more if you are just trying to get it a short distance off the ground. I’ve found with my forestry grapple (weight about 350 lbs). I can basically ignore the weight of the grapple when figuring what logs I can lift to just a few feet above the ground. The grapple is designed to hold the logs as close to the loader pins as possible, so I can lift more with the grapple than I could when chaining logs to the bucket. (My supposedly “heavy duty” 66 inch bucket weighs about the same as the grapple.)

So far, that forestry grapple is the only type of grapple I’ve found small enough to use on a smaller compact tractor without sacrificing too much load lifting ability, yet still tough enough that I see the exact same model in use regularly on 50-60 HP utility tractors. However, as noted in an earlier post, it is not a “do-all” grapple. It’s great at moving logs and brush. It’s not so good at picking up smaller stuff or as a place to carry your tools.

 

[mcfarmall]

Brush crusher. Doesn't need a third function.

 

[Vigo327]

I think it depends on how often you're maxing out your current loader. Having a slightly oversize grapple on the small tractor doesn't matter unless it's using lift capacity you actually care about. If you aren't picking up heavy right now, the loss of ~100-150lbs might not even be noticed.

My thinking is, a slightly big grapple for this tractor might be a slightly small grapple for the next one, but in both cases that might be completely fine. As long as the grapple is built heavy enough to hold up to the next tractor pushing on it in normal, appropriate ways, i see no downside to putting it on the current one as long as it doesn't infringe on the lifting you actually do.

3rd function could be expensive, but it might also be one of those things you never regret. Got any other uses you would use the 3rd function for, if you had it?

I'm not saying buy the grapple now, im just saying it might not be a bad idea.

 

[i7win7]

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.

Only problem I see is the sawmill. For firewood, you can cut shorter logs. 25hp "B" here, they're "LX" now. Real "L" has more lift capacity.

Maxed out B2650 FEL lift capacity

Had a dead tree at the top of the driveway hillside. Dropped it before it fell in the driveway. Used 2 snatch blocks, 200+ feet of wire cable to increase tractors pulling power 3X. Saved 2 logs for lumber logs. B2650, LA534 loader and LP0660 grapple. FEL could not lift it. Curled grapple down...

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