JD 110 Brush Grapple recommendations?

[AKfish]

Attachments and implements are great additions to all tractors and tlb's and I am one of the first to buy.
If you have very rough or uneven terrain the grapples would be better to hold the load securely.

Steve

I've got forks and a HD root-grapple. I like the grapple for digging up small trees and furrowing thru roots, etc.

Much of the dirt falls thru the tines. And it's easier to keep ahold of things once you grab 'em which doesn't always work quite like that with the forks.

I paid $2,200 for mine and they're too heavy. They're 66" and 1" tines on the bottom - right around 800lbs. I would have done better with 60" and 3/4" tines and maybe saved 100-200lbs. They'd be great if I was using them on a Bobcat S300 or S330!

Islandtractor is on the money with his recommendations - smaller and lighter - is better in most cases.

I seriously considered the JD Workpro grapple. This past Spring '08 I was quoted $1,800 for 'em. They would do the job... But, I think the tine spacing is too close together. Need about 6" between the tines - IMO.

My $0.02

AKfish

 

[jenkinsph]

AKfish, I agree that smaller is better since I know that the pallet forks are only 48" wide and do a good job. I think the grapples are useful just not a cureall. I agree though there are lots of alternatives other than Deere brand.

For the roots I would think something along the lines of a chisel plow point but smaller with proper spacing would work great to pull up roots where needed. I used to have a 7 pt parabolic chisel plow that I pulled with my Case 1370 (150hp) tractor it would uncover all kinds of stuff I think I will make something similar to use with the 4520 but run it only about 4 to 6" deep. Basically a very sturdy and coarse rake if you will.



Steve

 

[IslandTractor]

What I found was that I could carry a load of branches that was about three times as large as what the grapples would hold but I had to drive slower.

If you have the pallet forks or have them available I would test them out, might save you $1600. I was thinkng about grapples too but was amazed how well the forks worked for me.



Steve

Can your forks carry a load of brush three times bigger than this?

I own both grapple and forks. Love the forks and I agree that you could indeed carry a bunch of logs or carefully stacked small trees/branches with the forks but nothing beats a grapple for being able to uproot, load and crush brush as well as whole trees and tree stumps without needing to get off the tractor. Additionally, while one can cradle a loose load with forks, it is a lot safer to contain it between the upper and lower grapple arms when traveling.

 

[IslandTractor]

For the roots I would think something along the lines of a chisel plow point but smaller with proper spacing would work great to pull up roots where needed.

Grapples work pretty well for roots. I would not suggest just putting the grapple tines into the ground and driving forward on a fishing expedition but when you know there are roots in an area you can easily dig them out with a grapple.

 

[AKfish]

Grapples work pretty well for roots. I would not suggest just putting the grapple tines into the ground and driving forward on a fishing expedition but when you know there are roots in an area you can easily dig them out with a grapple.

I agree. I don't cruise around with the grapple in the ground just "fishin" for roots - I go to where they're bunched up..

And they're not a "cure-all", either. They're meant for grabbin' onto stuff and rootin' up and tearin' out small trees, roots, vines, brush and haulin' it to a burn pile and dumpin' it on! If that's the work you have in mind - they'll do it!

There are some things to watch out for when you're using 'em, too. Carefully pick your battles... big stumps and thick roots can unbalance the load onto one loader arm and bend or twist your loader. Either the loader arm or one of the base stancions. As well, when picking up trees - with or without the root wad - try to balance the load. The longer the tree, the longer the lever. And there are significant twisting loads exerted upon the loader arms that can quickly make one arm "a poor cousin" to the other loader arm..

Many times, I will cut the root wad off and/or cut the trees up into shorter lengths.

Ok, I guess that's $0.04, now.

AKfish

 

[jenkinsph]

Looking at the pictures I can pickup and carry a larger load with forks but could not tear out and pull vines or roots loose. The lower tines on the grapple look like they would do a good job of rooting.

I do intend to clear the lots of roots up to 6" deep before preparing a seedbed. I don't intend on using the loader for this purpose though. I would guess alot depends on the condtions the OP has to deal with.




Steve

 

[IslandTractor]

Looking at the pictures I can pickup and carry a larger load with forks ...

Lift yes but I cannot imagine you can load your forks with brush without getting off the tractor to neatly pile things on to the forks and then figure out some manual way of securing the load so it doesn't fall off when traveling. As I mentioned, I have both forks and grapple and I'd never choose the forks for dealing with brush any more than I'd use the grapple to lift a pallet.

 

[jenkinsph]

Lift yes but I cannot imagine you can load your forks with brush without getting off the tractor to neatly pile things on to the forks and then figure out some manual way of securing the load so it doesn't fall off when traveling. As I mentioned, I have both forks and grapple and I'd never choose the forks for dealing with brush any more than I'd use the grapple to lift a pallet.

For most of them I drive the forks forward beneath the branches pick them up at full rollback and then carry them to a trench to fill. No getting off to stack or tie down. Next time I do this I will take some pictures for you. I was suprised how well this worked as well.



Steve

 

[IslandTractor]

For most of them I drive the forks forward beneath the branches pick them up at full rollback and then carry them to a trench to fill. No getting off to stack or tie down. Next time I do this I will take some pictures for you. I was suprised how well this worked as well.
Steve

I can see that that method would work so long as the brush was basically stacked and did not need to be moved far.

 

[two_bit_score]

Everyone has some great points as I knew ya'll would. Thanks for helping me. Right now I'm thinking about trying the pallet forks just to see. But I'm fairly sure I'll eventually need some sort of grapple since I want to do some building demo as well as move some brush.

The JD ag grapple is about 500 lbs and has round tines on the bottom, one cylinder, and runs about $2500.

Markham has one at about $1600, plus freight. Not sure about the freight cost.

Since I have a thumb on the hoe I can load up stuff that is already stacked into a trailer pretty easily. Metal and stuff that I want to haul off.