Looking at a grapple- right size for my tractor?

[Pete O]

Hello all, I've been looking with a lot of envy at all you guys in the US with grapples on your FELs. I do a lot of firewood and some tree clearing on my property and seem to have spent the last 20 years throwing branches onto a trailer, towing them to a burn pile and throwing them off again. A root grapple similar to the 'wicked' is VERY high on my wish list but they don't seem to be available here (Australia) the only thing that does come up on the used market occasionally is flat-floored grapple buckets for skid-steers and they go for more than I would be prepared to spend for something that is not quite what I'm after.

Finally a proper root-grapple has appeared at an auction house not too far from me, it's an unused 72" root grapple that appears very similar to the wicked, it is badged with the name of an earthmoving hire company so I expect it has been made to their spec for their skid-steer hire fleet but is being sold on as they probably didn't have the demand for it.
I'm planning to go and inspect it tomorrow but I'm not sure if it might be a bit over-sized for my tractor; I have a Ford 4100 of about 1971 vintage, 67hp, rebuild of the tractor is in this thread https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/386813-general-freshen-up-1967-ford.html the hydraulics are all good with a new pump and I am currently rebuilding the FEL to go back on. The badge on the grapple gives an attachment weight of 348kg which is a little over 700 pounds. Wondering if you guys think that might be biting off a little more than my tractor can chew?

 

[metalbender]

If it is too big, you can always shorten up the sides to make a better fit for your tractor. An angle grinder with a cutting disc will do it easily. Built my own from parts reclaimed off old farm equipment. Only 48 inches wide, doesn't open as wide as commercial ones, but makes short work of digging rocks and hauling brush.

 

[i7win7]

TractorData.com Ford 41 tractor attachments information
Lift to full height (at pin): 2040 lbs [925 kg]
Does it have SSQA?

 

[rswyan]

Does it have 4WD ?

If not, you may be limited somewhat, in what the grapple can do.

 

[Pete O]

The tractor is only 2wd. I recognise this is a significant limitation but it's what I have to work with.
I don't have SSQA- the grapple I'm looking at does- but I am in the fortunate position of being able to put whatever system I choose to on the tractor as i am currently in the process of rebuilding it, including adding a double-link system to increase the roll back / forward angle. I was originally planning to put an old JD style quick-attach system on the loader, as i bought a new-old-stock bucket with that system on it, but I'm reconsidering that as it seems a bit light-duty for this size tractor. The skidsteer system looks very user-friendly.
Based on those figures from Tractor Data.com, I guess the loader will still have reasonable lifting capacity with a 348kg grapple on there.
Anyhow I plan to drive down and have a look at this grapple today.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Extra Width can just add weight, cost and be a real pain when trying to work in uneven ground. Isn't it always? Really no need at all to have it the ouside width of the front tires. Sometimes the one you can gt the best deal on is the right width.

I would NEVER get another single lid grapple for what I use mine for again. Trees, stumps, large rocks. It's always trying to bend and buckle to accomodate the odd shaped load.

 

[RSR]

Extra Width can just add weight, cost and be a real pain when trying to work in uneven ground. Isn't it always? Really no need at all to have it the ouside width of the front tires. Sometimes the one you can gt the best deal on is the right width.

I would NEVER get another single lid grapple for what I use mine for again. Trees, stumps, large rocks. It's always trying to bend and buckle to accomodate the odd shaped load.

That's precisely why I think for a wide root grapple is less than ideal for a lot of tasks. I am a big advocate of the Igland GR20/Frostbite style grapples. I see the narrower width as a big plus when trying to pick most odd sized stuff up, as you are less likely to torque/twist your loader. They are also roughly half the weight, and about 1/3 the price.

 

[fried1765]

That's precisely why I think for a wide root grapple is less than ideal for a lot of tasks. I am a big advocate of the Igland GR20/Frostbite style grapples. I see the narrower width as a big plus when trying to pick most odd sized stuff up, as you are less likely to torque/twist your loader. They are also roughly half the weight, and about 1/3 the price.

I primarily need a medium duty root grapple for brush gathering.
I think a wheel width grapple (66") will be perfect for me.

If something is very heavy, or odd shaped, I'll use my backhoe w/thumb, or my EA 4400# forks.

 

[snakebitten]

You will be happy with a grapple purchase. I purchased a 6ft ArmstrongAg's Brush Rake Grapple for my JD about 4-5 years ago, no issues other than replacing a couple hydraulic hoses. Best wishes on you purchase!

 

[ericm979]

4wd will be wanted if you're picking up a log and backing up an incline. I don't need 4wd all the time. The Branson is heavy for it's power and I have the rear tires loaded and put a box blade on the back when using the grapple (or I leave the 1000lb PTO chipper on).

That grapple sounds like it is heavier and wider than you need. It's remarkable how fast I can use up the loader's capacity with an 8' long log. My loader's got 2100lbs capacity. I find that I often exceed the capacity of the curl circuit before I exceed the lift capacity. If I mostly picked up large logs a lighter grapple that kept the log as close to the loader pins as possible would reduce that. The root grapple is a compromise that works ok for logs and brush.

 

[oosik]

View attachment 657343. This is my Kubota M6040 with a Land Pride 1560 grapple. It's 60" wide - 820#. The tractor with FEL/grapple - RimGuard loaded rear tires - Rhino rear blade - - weighs 10,010#. It's a very HD rock/root grapple.

Look carefully at the grapple you are considering. If it's too heavy - can you actually chop a foot off each side. What you are looking for - are the hydraulics in the center of the grapple. If so - chopping will be easy. If they are on the edges - it could be a problem.

I can lift a tad over 3000#. I NEVER lift a heavy load more than 6" off the ground.

 

[Pete O]

I went and inspected the grapple yesterday, it appears very well built and does not seem to be oversized for the tractor, actually looks like exactly what I have been on the lookout for. The width is 4" outside the front tyres of my tractor each side, 4" inside the rears so not unreasonable I think. It's a single full-width lid with a hydraulic cylinder at each end, the mechanism is right at the ends so cutting it down is not an option, or not without a lot of work. The work I want the grapple for is mostly picking up and carrying piles of branches from felled trees, rather than logs, and I think it is ideal for that. The load will not be much weight, just bulky. It has one bid at present, auction ends in 8 hours, I'll be bidding on it and will let you guys know if I end up with it.

 

[FTG-05]

When I went to buy my SSQA grapple, I thought I wanted a 60". Fortunately for me the tractor gods knew more than I did and they were all out of 60" grapples. All they had was 72" and up and some 48"s. I bought the 48". I will never regret it!

There has never been a time when I regretted not having the extra width but there has been a crap-ton of times I'm **** glad had the extra lift capacity that would have been eaten up with something +48"!

Just a thought.

Good luck!

 

[Pete O]

Here's an update. I put in an autobid up to $10 less than my budget; got up from the TV and told my wife I'd be a few minutes while the auction ends went to the study to make sure I got the final bid in- she started watching a movie on her iPad and crashed our internet. I couldn't load the page and the grapple went for right on what I had told myself I was prepared to spend! I'm trying to remain calm. I've been looking our for one of these things for about 2 years! Guess I'll be building one after all! :0

 

[kthompson]

Pete, sorry about that. But there was a reason for that to happen...maybe a better option pops in next few days...first thank you wife and explain you must expand the hunt. Ever planned a grapple hunt vacation?

 

[Pete O]

Pete, sorry about that. But there was a reason for that to happen...maybe a better option pops in next few days...first thank you wife and explain you must expand the hunt. Ever planned a grapple hunt vacation?

Yep, we are on the same page, I fully agree, there was a reason so I am ok with it. If nothing else, it's given me an opportunity to be gracious to my wife! Wish I hadn't spent half a day going to check the thing out though!

 

[oosik]

As long as you & the wifey are OK - all is well and the search continues.

Your situation there in Australia is very similar to what I've heard from many TBNers in Europe. The smaller homeowner grapple is not a common item. If you do decide to build your own - send me a personal message. My Owners Manual for my grapple has diagrams, showing of all the dimensions. Could be a fair starting point.

 

[shaeff]

including adding a double-link system to increase the roll back / forward angle.

Pete, this is a touch off topic from grapples, but do you think you could post some pics of your linkage upgrade to increase roll-back/dump angles?

 

[Xfaxman]

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The work I want the grapple for is mostly picking up and carrying piles of branches from felled trees, rather than logs, and I think it is ideal for that. The load will not be much weight, just bulky.------------------------------------------------------.

I am surprised you would choose a clamshell style root grapple for that job. My first grapple was a clamshell style with two lids. did not pick up bulky piles well, a lot would fall out the bottom: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ying-new-grapple-post4622699.html#post4622699

I now have a two lid 72" flat bottom and six tine 44" that move brush, limbs, trees and rocks very well.

 

[Pete O]

As long as you & the wifey are OK - all is well and the search continues.

Your situation there in Australia is very similar to what I've heard from many TBNers in Europe. The smaller homeowner grapple is not a common item. If you do decide to build your own - send me a personal message. My Owners Manual for my grapple has diagrams, showing of all the dimensions. Could be a fair starting point.

That's a very kind offer, thanks heaps, I think I'll PM you soon and take you up on that, it might be a while before i get around to building something (the loader rebuild is taking a long while) but it would be great to have the information handy when I start planning.