Buying Advice need grapple..

gravelman · Apr 29, 2018

gravelman here... what manufacturer makes the smallest tractor that can handle a grapple... with quick attach front?? thanks. I know some of the smaller ones are not rugged enough to handle the torque etc but if used carefully... will work.

newbury · Apr 29, 2018

gravelman said:
gravelman here... what manufacturer makes the smallest tractor that can handle a grapple... with quick attach front?? thanks. I know some of the smaller ones are not rugged enough to handle the torque etc but if used carefully... will work.

One could probably put a grapple on anything you can put a QA.

Fo a long time smaller tractors were ignored, probably because moving small buckets is not to difficult and few wanted grapples.
For example my B7610 wasn't offered with a QA front. There are now 3rd party QA fronts for it. And manufacturers are now making lighter grapples with stronger steel.

I'm pretty sure Everything Attachments has one that will fit well with the 2650.

They make a 150lb 48" grapple for the BX.

gravelman · Apr 29, 2018

ok, thanks..i guess i have not researched enough yet. i see Mahindra came out with a Max tractor that is not too expensive but it may be too light for a grapple...will look into it...thanks for the reply

dfkrug · Apr 29, 2018

It all depends on what loads you are trying to lift. Attachments of all sizes are available.
A lot of work can be done with subcompact tractors and mini (micro) excavators.

For the EA example above, "grapple" to them means some kind of modified loader bucket
with independent hydraulic jaw (or 2) mounted above and acting downward. "Grapple"
can also mean a device with integrated jaw movement for lifting logs or rocks with FEL or
backhoe. (See Valby or Hud-Son.)

kennyd · Apr 29, 2018

John Deere 1025 and the Kubota BX23s are two of the big names...

Here are some TTWT videos showing the JD 1025 and the Artillian Grapple in action

Artillian Grapple Does the Work of 6 Men - YouTube

Artillian Grapple: Can it Pick Up Leaves? Compact Tractor Excels with Grapple! - YouTube

Grapple: Dangerous Task and Lessons Learned - First Use - John Deere 125R - YouTube

Grapple: Dangerous Task and Lessons Learned - First Use - John Deere 125R - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjosT8eVYwM&ab_channel=TractorTimewithTim

terryknight · Apr 29, 2018

i've used a 74" 700 lbs grapple on my b series. i want a smaller 48" single lid, but have yet to find one in a price rangei'm willing to pay

gravelman · Apr 29, 2018

well i know im NOT like all the others out there that try to do more than what is designed for....ha believe that and i will sell you the Brooklyn bridge.

gravelman · Apr 29, 2018

thanks for all the above info...very helpful

Teachu2 · Apr 30, 2018

dfkrug said:
It all depends on what loads you are trying to lift. Attachments of all sizes are available.
A lot of work can be done with subcompact tractors and mini (micro) excavators.

For the EA example above, "grapple" to them means some kind of modified loader bucket
with independent hydraulic jaw (or 2) mounted above and acting downward. "Grapple"
can also mean a device with integrated jaw movement for lifting logs or rocks with FEL or
backhoe. (See Valby or Hud-Son.)

EA also does true grapples, not just bucket attachments. Here's one specifically for a BX: Root Rake Grapple For Kubota BX

Here's another slightly bigger one on a small CUT (mine).

EverythingAttachments · Apr 30, 2018

Our Wicked Grapple lineup has grown to allow me to recommend the MOST IDEAL grapple for so many tractor sizes, unlike any other manufacturer in existence..

The 200 pound Wicked 55 root rake grapple allows small tractors to do BIG things. Here are some examples.
Travis

Kubota BX23S

Kubota B26

Kubota B2650

Kubota B2920

John Deere 1025R

John Deere 1025R

John Deere 3032E

Video of a John Deere 2038R. VERY impressive! John Deere 2038R with 55" Wicked Root Grapple Tackling Big Log - YouTube

Mahindra Max 26

EverythingAttachments · Apr 30, 2018

Teachu2 said:
EA also does true grapples, not just bucket attachments. Here's one specifically for a BX: Root Rake Grapple For Kubota BX

Here's another slightly bigger one on a small CUT (mine).
View attachment 551844

Love that pic, man! This one, too!!! :drink:
Travis

gravelman · Apr 30, 2018

this is excellent..thanks very much

Omega Woods · Apr 30, 2018

I am 100% getting a Wicked 55" to share between my new BX2380 and my Branson.

/pine · Apr 30, 2018

FWIW...Almost all the loads (including the brush) depicted in the images could be done with just a thumb type grapple on a regular FEL bucket...

Teachu2 · Apr 30, 2018

/pine said:
FWIW...Almost all the loads (including the brush) depicted in the images could be done with just a thumb type grapple on a regular FEL bucket...

I've used just the bucket and a HF ratchet strap, so even a thumb grapple is a luxury.

My tractor was the biggest I could handle on my property, and the FEL is a small step above a BX. Weight was a consideration when I was thinking about a grapple, which led me to the Wicked 55. It weighs less than my bucket, and when I have the bucket on I'm not carrying the weight of a grapple. As an added bonus, I can see through the grapple, which is a great help for a newbie like me.

/pine · May 1, 2018

Teachu2 said:
I've used just the bucket and a HF ratchet strap, so even a thumb grapple is a luxury.

My tractor was the biggest I could handle on my property, and the FEL is a small step above a BX. Weight was a consideration when I was thinking about a grapple, which led me to the Wicked 55. It weighs less than my bucket, and when I have the bucket on I'm not carrying the weight of a grapple. As an added bonus, I can see through the grapple, which is a great help for a newbie like me.

Even without a QA...
Most thumbs are easily removable...

What advantage is it being able to "see through" a grapple that can't be seen any better than a FEL bucket?

Teachu2 · May 1, 2018

When positioning to pick up single items (like a rock or railroad tie) I can see what I'm doing better than looking at the back of the bucket. The grapple also digs rocks out much better than the bucket. It also rakes a whole lot better than a bucket.

I felled a dead pine the other day and limbed it where it fell. Grabbed the trunk with the grapple and raised it up to section it. Transported the trunk sections to keep as bonfire wood, then raked the branches and took them up the hill to the trailer. I've done similar without a grapple, and this was much easier and a whole lot faster. A thumb would have worked the trunk OK (as did the strap on the bucket), but the branches were easier with the grapple rake.

cphilip · May 2, 2018

/pine said:
Even without a QA...
Most thumbs are easily removable...

What advantage is it being able to "see through" a grapple that can't be seen any better than a FEL bucket?

You cant "root rake" with a bucket.

EverythingAttachments · May 2, 2018

Teachu2 said:
When positioning to pick up single items (like a rock or railroad tie) I can see what I'm doing better than looking at the back of the bucket. The grapple also digs rocks out much better than the bucket. It also rakes a whole lot better than a bucket.

I felled a dead pine the other day and limbed it where it fell. Grabbed the trunk with the grapple and raised it up to section it. Transported the trunk sections to keep as bonfire wood, then raked the branches and took them up the hill to the trailer. I've done similar without a grapple, and this was much easier and a whole lot faster. A thumb would have worked the trunk OK (as did the strap on the bucket), but the branches were easier with the grapple rake.

Great points!
Oh...pics or it didn't happen! :laughing::laughing:
Travis

/pine · May 2, 2018

cphilip said:
You cant "root rake" with a bucket.

I never said anything about root grapples being totally unneeded...I just pointed out that all the tasks pictured (including large brush piles) in the thread could be accomplished with a much less expensive alternative...a thumb grapple...