otus_branch
Silver Member
Howdy TBN'ers,
I have just placed an order with Markham Welding for the narrowest of their heavy-duty grapples, which they call an "Extreme Gator Mini Rake." It is only 36" wide, but is fab'd from 1/2" steel, and has a single jaw with what looks like a well-protected cylinder.
My Gator Rake grapple will be used on a Kubota L-39, and will be the first attachment I have that uses the aux. hydraulics on the front (already set-up by the dealer at time of purchase last year, in anticipation of this and also a hydraulic auger once the bank account recovers...).
My decision to go with a grapple this small was strongly influenced by the excellent posts here at TBN by Islandtractor. His argument in favor of going with the smallest grapple possible in order to maintain lifting capacity made sense to me, as moving boulders around is on my project list. Melissa at Markham made the same point, saying that the Gator will still be able to grab more than my L-39 arms can lift (rated at 2200 lbs. by Kubota). I believe that the Gator weighs-in at around 450 lbs, so even boulders close to a ton will soon not be safe from alien-abduction!
The only disadvantage I anticipate of the Gator Rake compared to a 60" grapple by Markham or WR Long (I looked at these two companies based on good reviews here at TBN and also a loyalty to buying local when possible), is that loads will need to be centered more carefully than a larger grapple will require. I do not anticipate hating this overmuch...
Of all the TBN posts I read while making this decision, I saw none where a tractor as large as an L-39 is mated to a grapple as small as this Gator Rake, so I guess I'm a guinea pig of sorts. The grapple is due to arrive Thursday, and I hope to post a picture or two by next week. In the meanwhile, I welcome comments, opinions, and further thoughts on grapple brands, sizing, etc.
-otus
I have just placed an order with Markham Welding for the narrowest of their heavy-duty grapples, which they call an "Extreme Gator Mini Rake." It is only 36" wide, but is fab'd from 1/2" steel, and has a single jaw with what looks like a well-protected cylinder.
My Gator Rake grapple will be used on a Kubota L-39, and will be the first attachment I have that uses the aux. hydraulics on the front (already set-up by the dealer at time of purchase last year, in anticipation of this and also a hydraulic auger once the bank account recovers...).
My decision to go with a grapple this small was strongly influenced by the excellent posts here at TBN by Islandtractor. His argument in favor of going with the smallest grapple possible in order to maintain lifting capacity made sense to me, as moving boulders around is on my project list. Melissa at Markham made the same point, saying that the Gator will still be able to grab more than my L-39 arms can lift (rated at 2200 lbs. by Kubota). I believe that the Gator weighs-in at around 450 lbs, so even boulders close to a ton will soon not be safe from alien-abduction!
The only disadvantage I anticipate of the Gator Rake compared to a 60" grapple by Markham or WR Long (I looked at these two companies based on good reviews here at TBN and also a loyalty to buying local when possible), is that loads will need to be centered more carefully than a larger grapple will require. I do not anticipate hating this overmuch...
Of all the TBN posts I read while making this decision, I saw none where a tractor as large as an L-39 is mated to a grapple as small as this Gator Rake, so I guess I'm a guinea pig of sorts. The grapple is due to arrive Thursday, and I hope to post a picture or two by next week. In the meanwhile, I welcome comments, opinions, and further thoughts on grapple brands, sizing, etc.
-otus
