Grapple Millonzi Grapple

[Glowplug]

I can sense an impending barrage of Westendorf "Brush Crusher" opinions to follow.

For some thoughts on the Westendorf see my thread: "Grapples Galore".

If I had a ton of money I may possibly consider getting one of these. But only after I had a regular brush grapple rake AND a 3-in-1 bucket. It may be good for pulling out fence posts. But for the price, I'd never likely buy one as my primary grapple.

 

[IslandTractor]

I saw a new type of grapple from westendorf. It's a new design and would work best for carrying brush. You couldn't dig with it or pop out any small stumps.

That is an interesting and very weird concept. I imagine that if you were picking up logs it would be excellent as it must weigh close to nothing and the independent grapple arms could certainly hold on to a log. However, despite the photo they show with a regular brush load, I am pretty sure this thing would be lousy at general brush grapple duties. For starters, how would you use it to attack a bush you wanted to rip out? There is nothing to grab on to with in the middle of the grapple. You could not lift rocks or pull up roots easily. I don't know how you'd grab a stump either. Looks to me like a specialty device for someone who is really focused on moving cut logs/trees.

 

[flINTLOCK]

Most interesting discussion in a while. IMHO, I think the Millonzi may be best bang for the buck. Just have to figure out how to rig it when it gets here!! Thanks for the great input and photos.

 

[Johnagain]

Hey guys I just ordered the 48in LD grapple from Millonzi today with JohnDeere mounts for my 4310. Now I'll be able to move all the trees and brush I cut down for others. I also ordered the WR Long diverter kit. Now all I have to do is install it. Now if I could get something other than Dial up I'll be able to post some pictures of all the equipment I have acquired, built, or modified for my business.

 

[IslandTractor]

Let us know how the JD mounts work. Do you have the JD quick attach system or just pins?

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

So Millonzi does offer the ld grapples with the JD quick tach pins rather than the skid steer type. I just sent Joe an email on that very question. Island, I know your really into the 48" LD model but do you really think that the 60" is too much? I believe it's just under 400lbs and that would still leave me with around 1klbs of lifting power. Do you recommend the 48" for it's manuverabity? The weight of the 48" would be only a little more than mu bucket. I'm also going to be getting one of thier (millonzi) thumbs for my BH.
They look pretty rugged and I really like the fact that Joe is a TBNer. To me it seems like he really cares and will stand behind their products.

Matt T.

 

[Johnagain]

I have just the pins style on my loader. I can't see going to the quiktach system when it is just as easy to convert over to the pin style. I'm ordering their brackets separately. I'm going to weld them on myself. I want to make some measurements of them and might incorperate the style into other things I make for the FEL. They have been great people to work with and I would buy from them again.

 

[IslandTractor]

I know your really into the 48" LD model but do you really think that the 60" is too much? I believe it's just under 400lbs and that would still leave me with around 1klbs of lifting power.

No, I don't think that 60" would be too much. Maybe I have overstated the case in the past but my main points are that 1) the 48" can deal with virtually anything a loader with less than 3000lbs of lift can deal with. And 2) that most of the larger grapples or HD grapples weigh >600 or 700lbs which really puts a dent in most CUT FEL lift capacity. That is not the case with the LD60" you are referring to which weighs 400lbs.

I have found myself wishing I had more lift capacity, more curl capacity and more weight on the rear of the tractor (already have loaded tires and bush hog) but I have virtually never wished I'd had a wider grapple. My ranting about getting grapples that are too large is partly to overcome the understandable bias that prospective grapple owners have in selecting a model that is the same length as their bucket. It is not a one to one translation and in general smaller is better. The other point is that the bigger grapples tend to be half inch or even 3/4 or 1" steel tines which adds a huge amount of weight and cost for no reason unless you are doing construction demolition.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Island, my concern with the 48" LD is that it doesn't clear the tires. If I'm heading in to a large brush pile or in the woods. I think it would be good to have a grapple wide enough to protect the front end. Since I have no experiance with a grapple I maybe way off base. I can also see your point with the 48" since you can get some pretty large stuff in it. For me I bet price will be the determining factor. What did shipping run you? Has anyone picked up thier grapples in ohio? I'll bo ordering a thumb too so it maybe worth the trip for me as I'm sure shipping is going to be high.

Matt T.

 

[Johnagain]

Shipping for the grapple and the plates is $135 to Cental Florida. I don't think that was to bad. I Certainly couldn't go get it for that price. and it is still cheaper than most of the other grapples out there.