Is a 25 HP tractor too small for a grapple.

[nyone]

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

This easy clamp-on design attaches to most loader buckets and includes a puck for a secure connection. Simply slide the forks over your bucket’s cutting edge and clamp them down. - Optional Light-Duty Stabilizer Bar Spreader.

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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1277lb capacity at the pins. With clamp on forks your lifting closer to 24-36in from the pins. Your lifting capacity is greatly reduced.

With such light lifting capacity by the time you add the weight of the grapple you dont have much capacity left. Also a grapple is roughly $3k then add another $1k for 3rd function.. so $4k for something your alreaty doing with your tractor.

 

[BnRidge]

1277lb capacity at the pins. With clamp on forks your lifting closer to 24-36in from the pins. Your lifting capacity is greatly reduced.

With such light lifting capacity by the time you add the weight of the grapple you dont have much capacity left. Also a grapple is roughly $3k then add another $1k for 3rd function.. so $4k for something your alreaty doing with your tractor.

A CTA50 weighs 195lb, and is $1750.
That's less than the forks weigh. And the grapple will still be suitable if the tractor is upgraded.

Compact Tractor Attachments - 50" John Deere Compact Grapple

G-50-JD Extreme - Compact Tractor Grapple

www.ctattachments.com

 

[PJRAM]

I have a Massey GC1723 which is only 22.5 hp and I am using a Homestead Implements subcompact grapple. The grapple weighs 190 lbs. and my loader is rated to lift 900 lbs. So I still can lift around 700 lbs. So far I've been able to lift logs as wide as the grapple and around 12 to 15 inches in diameter. I have the backhoe attached as my rear ballast and my rear tires are filled with rim guard.

 

[HP942]

With what I’m doing now I rarely max out my FEL. I am getting by just fine with the forks. I was just curious if the cool factor of the grapple was worth it. I use my forks to lift the logs off the ground to cut them into firewood size. I can see where the grapple would come in handy for that and you wouldn’t have to worry about them rolling around on you. I’d like to have a grapple, but any light enough for this tractor would likely be too small for my later addition. I still think a grapple is cool and may ”need” one anyway!

 

[/pine]

Personally, for working with logs, cants etc. around a BSM...pallet forks with a thump style grapple is not only the most practical but also the easiest...also can be easier to see what is happening if you don't have a spotter...
...Thumb grapples can also be set up on FEL buckets...easy to move from forks to bucket...

 

[nyone]

With what I’m doing now I rarely max out my FEL. I am getting by just fine with the forks. I was just curious if the cool factor of the grapple was worth it. I use my forks to lift the logs off the ground to cut them into firewood size. I can see where the grapple would come in handy for that and you wouldn’t have to worry about them rolling around on you. I’d like to have a grapple, but any light enough for this tractor would likely be too small for my later addition. I still think a grapple is cool and may ”need” one anyway!

Your also lifting the logs against the back rest of the forks. With a grapple generaly the load is pushed a bit further forward.

 

[airbiscuit]

Keeps the load in close. 12v electric so no need for 3rd function hydraulics. Or, build one for your forks.

 

[DGZRT]

60” grapple works excellent on my Branson 2515H it’s even more capable after getting my rear tires filled .

 

[2manyrocks]

I'm not so sure that grapples have much advantage over forks for moving logs for sawmill cutting. Forks are pretty easy to get under a log and don't require a third function valve.

Where a grapple excels is in picking up piles of brush and limbs because you can grab the pile.

 

[Username Taken]

I've watched guys with pallet forks do things that absolutely amazed me.

I'd hold off on the grapple until you get the tractor you want. It isn't just the cost of the grapple, it's the cost of the third function and the hassle of installing it, too.