Price Check Money Man Says We're Almost There. . .

[jezreel]

Yeah. . . I was wondering what size is best. I see the 60", but also 66" and 72". Does it matter?

 

[TractorGuy]

OK. . . So, it should be apparent that I don't mind spending a lot of money for a QUALITY product. Thats why I am spending $50K on my Kubota and implements. Coulda probly saved $10K by going with a second tier tractor and implements. And as I mentioned earlier, I really like the looks of the Artillian Grapple System, and I've read and seen a lot of good reviews. But I would be looking at about $3300. I have a lot of pasture work to do now, but SOON I will have a lot of work to do with a grapple. With the budget having taken a hit like it just did, I think an MTL grapple will fit the bill. With that said, I have been looking at their website. I do like what I see and read about MTL HD RK5. . . I am not understanding some of the references y'all are making about #1 E series and other references.

I have the 60" RK5 in JD mount and it is plenty strong. I hear some bad mojo on MTL customer service but my grapple showed up to my door in 3 days and hasn't had any problems.

In my opinion you don't need any wider than 60".

Pay attention to the bottom tine design and make sure it will do what you want. If you are wanting to rip roots the RK5 is not a good design for that. It has one advantage that the back is solid so you can actually use it to rough grade like you would with a front blade. I find it works best for picking up piles when I turn it 90* and come straight down on them. I don't like the clamp tines on mine are not designed to meet with the points of the bottom tines but I think they changed that.

 

[Jstpssng]

Yeah. . . I was wondering what size is best. I see the 60", but also 66" and 72". Does it matter?

No. Based on my experience at least, that extra width doesn't make a difference. My tractor is smaller than yours so I had to choose between the 48 and 54 inch. I opted for the 54 and don't regret it, yet that extra doesn't do anything more except cost more and add a little extra weight. As long as the 60 has a double lid, it will do everything the wider models do.

 

[fried1765]

Yeah. . . I was wondering what size is best. I see the 60", but also 66" and 72". Does it matter?

I ordered the 60" width, because it is the same width as my front wheels, allowing me to get into a tight spot if necessary.

 

[buck12]

I had a 48 inch on my Mahindra 2615 but I knew it was too narrow for the Kubota. I had a hard time deciding between 60 and 66 inches so I marked my bucket with tape at each measurement and operated the tractor. I decided for my purposes 60 inches worked.

 

[BackRoad]

I've got the MX6000. The EA 60" Wicked Root is a perfect fit. The size is big enough and the weight is light enough to strike a good, workable balance.

Likely there are many good grapples and manufacturers and I can't speak for what I've not used. Although I would be hard pressed to find any changes I would make to this one.

Cry once - - - it's pricy, you have to wait 6 weeks for delivery, you have to pay up front...the day after it is delivered, none of that matters any more - it's all worth it to me.

It is a well designed, well built grapple for my needs - personal firewood processing, treetop slash and invasive brush cleanup, big brush pile creation, pasture reclamation, woodlot and trail maintenance.

I'm not logging for a living, but I do work it hard and frequently ('cept right now when the snow is 22 inches deep!)

 

[Richard]

Last tractor... that's what I said 2 years ago. Actually, I told the salesman they would use it to dig my grave. I just paid it off today, so can start saving for something bigger.

Or a prettier coffin....

 

[Alien]

Here we go. . .

View attachment 680280

I just turned green...