This link is to a thread where I gathered some info. about grapples. There are alot of others out there as well. When I priced my grapple back in October it was $900 plus shipping for the 48 or 60" light duty with one 30" top tine. If you went with two top tines it was about $350 more and about 100 lbs more. The bottom steel for the teeth is about 9" apart. I had them add extra steel between the teeth so the spacing is 4.5" apart. I figured this would help me carry smaller rock etc. The additional spacers added some cost, about $100. I enjoyed working with Markham and have been very pleased with the unit.
In regard of the Markham grapple, for my Kubota M-6800, would you suggest the standard duty grapple from Markham (smallest is 60" I think) or the light duty one. I anticipate using it to clear overgrown roads and paths and ripping out small trees and bushes. The light duty is available in a narrower size which you seem to favor. I'm just afraid I will trash the lighter one. Again thanks for your posts.
M6800 - HP:70/PTO 62 Weight: 6175lb and Lift Capacity:4550[/quote
That is a LOT different than the M7040 specs I found on the Kubota website this morning. They have really lightened those M's in the last ten years I guess. The weight figures I used for the M7040 and DK40se were the base tractor weight with no FEL.
Are you sure the lift capacity is for the FEL on the M6800? That would, in Kubota language, be a LA2000 or something even north of that. I didn't know Kubota made loaders for any of their tractors that could lift more than 2000 kilos at mid bucket. Are you sure that is not the lift capacity for the 3PT?
Given the numbers you quote for the M6800 I'd back off my recommendation and say that a heavier grapple might be in order but I'm still wondering why the identically powered M6800 has way higher specs for weight and lift than the newer M7040
My M6800 weighs 5185 plus weight of FEL and loaded rear tires, so I guess it's close to 7000 lbs. The lift capacity at pivot points of the LA1002 is 2580lb. Hopefully this will clear up confusion.
Then when it is all installed and my bank account recovers, i will ad a grapple, hopefully the one Island Tractor suggested. I will also go ahead and install a Long electric over hydraulic valve now while the tractor is aat the shop.
Any bucket advice?? Loader is a LA1002 with a 2580 lb. lift.