just another grapple thread (jd 3032e)

[Rackluster]

All,

Just bought a 3032e. Wondering which grapple you all think would be right for me. Got the extra rear hydraulics.

I'll be clearering blow down pines, moving rocks, cleaning up logged land( logged 8 years ago). Total I have 116 acres that needs a ton of work.

Thanks in advance...

 

[deezler]

Wildkat econo grapple, for sure. You need the lightest grapple possible on a small CUT like a 3032e.

But seriously....116 acres of logging work? I wouldn't even try it with a little tractor like that... You need something twice as heavy at a minimum. Sorry, I know you didn't ask that question. But if that is honestly your goal for the tractor... I'd sell it and buy a used, proper-sized machine.

 

[foggy1111]

Wildkat econo grapple, for sure. You need the lightest grapple possible on a small CUT like a 3032e.

But seriously....116 acres of logging work? I wouldn't even try it with a little tractor like that... You need something twice as heavy at a minimum. Sorry, I know you didn't ask that question. But if that is honestly your goal for the tractor... I'd sell it and buy a used, proper-sized machine.

I agree on the wildcat econo grapple....should be a good match for your tractor....and they have some pretty good prices. While your 3032 is not super sized....non-the-less you can get allot of work done with that tractor. I have a similar size piece of timberland....and my 3320 (similar HP) gets my work done. ...mostly with 5' implements. I'm not sure a bigger tractor would be a huge benefit in the woods. I can pick up any tree that needs picking....and I just dont see a need for a larger size.

 

[Rackluster]

i wasn't clear. 40 of the acres were selectively logged 8 years ago. messy because theres a lot of (now) rotted branches and logs all over the place. nothing really big in size. just lots of it. probably not as bad as you are thinking though. then i have 76 acres that i just bought about an hour away from the 40. that has quite a few blown down pines. about a third of it is cut up already but there's a ton of brush laying around. I don't need it pristine, just enough to get some trails through.

one of the reasons i got this tractor is because it was lighter and easier to move between the properties.

i'm definitely leaning toward that grapple. lots of good things said about it. reassuring to hear another positive comment. i've got a seriously bad shoulder so the grapple is pretty much a necesity for me.

 

[Rackluster]

foggy - i was looking for a used 3320 but never found one in my price range. you have a sweet looking tractor.

i actually wanted a smaller tractor. there's so many tight spots that i can't imaging having a tractor a lot bigger than my 950. i have been able to move any tree that has fallen on my 40. i'm always amazed at the power of that little tractor. we'll see if the 3032's weight prevents it from doing the same things.

 

[Rackluster]

OK. I emailed wildcat last week and got no response. Called them this morning. Their grapples only work on 400 and 500 series loaders. Mine is a 305. Guess my search continues....

 

[Petroman1]

I hadnt seen this thread and I called Wildkat today and was told the same thing. I also got some quotes for 3 different grapples from my dealer. The least expensive was $1995 for the AV20H and the most expensive was $2900 for the Long grapple. And I still need to do hydraulics. I have seen alot of threads and also need to keep looking.

 

[whitedogone]

OK. I emailed wildcat last week and got no response. Called them this morning. Their grapples only work on 400 and 500 series loaders. Mine is a 305. Guess my search continues....

Don't the 300x loaders have the 400 JDQD on them?

 

[buck12]

I hadnt seen this thread and I called Wildkat today and was told the same thing. I also got some quotes for 3 different grapples from my dealer. The least expensive was $1995 for the AV20H and the most expensive was $2900 for the Long grapple. And I still need to do hydraulics. I have seen alot of threads and also need to keep looking.

For that kind of money you can buy the wildkat and modify it to fit your tractor and still be money ahead. I bought the wildkat and had plates made to work with my pin on loader.

 

[foggy1111]

OK. I emailed wildcat last week and got no response. Called them this morning. Their grapples only work on 400 and 500 series loaders. Mine is a 305. Guess my search continues....

Maybe somebody else can chime in here.....but I am not too sure you are getting good advice over the phone. You may get mixed messages - depending on whom you talk to on the phone. Some of the sales folks (I'd bet they are ex-gator girls) are not too knowledgeable at this vendor(s).....at least as determined from my past experience.

It's kinda a sad situation IMO. They have a pretty good product to offer that will fill the bill for lots of folks. But they really don't have a clue about how to sell it....or what it fits, or what hydraulic connections are needed....yadda, yadda. Most often, the customer has to steer the sale....and better do his homework. :confused2:

 

[Piston]

I hadnt seen this thread and I called Wildkat today and was told the same thing. I also got some quotes for 3 different grapples from my dealer. The least expensive was $1995 for the AV20H and the most expensive was $2900 for the Long grapple. And I still need to do hydraulics. I have seen alot of threads and also need to keep looking.

Something is WAY off here. Are you referring to the WR Long grapple being $2900? If so, which grapple? I bought my 64" WR Long for somewhere around $1400 or so, I don't remember exactly. Look into the WR Long OBG2 grapple, I believe they are considerably lighter than the econo grapple from wildkat. I'm not on the puter right now (phone) but tomorrow I could look some more.
Rackluster, your tractor is by no means too small for what you intend to do. It sounds like you'll be doing a lot of brush work. Your grapple will be chock FULL of brush LONG before you run out of lift capacity. I've never picked up a load of brush that came remotely close to maxing my lift capacity, brush is light for the volume it takes up. Also if your cleaning up logging slash you won't be moving huge logs that are too heavy anyways, unless of course the loggers left all the good logs and just took the smaller worthless tree tops?
You will LOVE the grapple!

 

[Petroman1]

Something is WAY off here. Are you referring to the WR Long grapple being $2900? If so, which grapple? I bought my 64" WR Long for somewhere around $1400 or so, I don't remember exactly. Look into the WR Long OBG2 grapple, I believe they are considerably lighter than the econo grapple from wildkat. I'm not on the puter right now (phone) but tomorrow I could look some more.

I found that Everything Attachments has the 48" WR Long for $1755.00. with free shipping withing 1000 miles! The Valve kit is $837.00. Just need to see what the added cost would be for JD mounting option.

The quote I got from the dealer was for the RGB260, $2125.00-Grapple, $350-Mounting plates, $450-shipping.

 

[Piston]

Petroman,
What are your uses for the grapple? I ask because I have operated both types, the root grapple (clamshell style) you were quoted for, and the OBG (open bottom grapple) and unless you have a very specific use for it, the open bottom grapple offers many advantages over the root grapple. One of which, is that the OBG is considerably cheaper, also lighter, also more versatile. In most cases (I want to say all cases but there are always exceptions) you will be able to lift considerably more material.

Having used both for log/brush type handling, I personally think the OBG grapple is far superior.

Rackluster,
Sorry for sort of high jacking the thread but I think it's pertinent to the subject.

 

[Petroman1]

The use for the grapple will be moving alot of brush and blowdowns. I am seriously considering the suggestion of modifying the Wildkat to fit the JD loader.
Thanks for the insight! All of the help on this site is great!:thumbsup:

 

[buck12]

The use for the grapple will be moving alot of brush and blowdowns. I am seriously considering the suggestion of modifying the Wildkat to fit the JD loader.
Thanks for the insight! All of the help on this site is great!:thumbsup:

If you go that route ask wildkat to knock off a few dollars to delete the skid steer quick attach. When I bought my grapple in January wildkat knocked off $50 for deletion of the skid steer quick attach and another $50 to delete the hydraulic connectors.