Grapple New toys (grapple tongs) for the tractor.

[JimR]

I picked these up from Northern Tool for $17.99 each, shipped for free. You may wonder why I bought two of these. Reason being, I am tired of balancing logs and spinning them around with my non-swivel tongs that I presently use. This will allow me to hook these on at each end of my bucket chain that is hanging off my bucket hooks. The logs will no longer need to be balanced or spun around to be placed in piles or wherever I want. I will use only one of these tongs should I need to spin a log for clearance. The online price was $5.00 cheaper than the catalog price. Breaking load is the capacity of the chain it states. I would assume that is the 3/8th's links on it.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Jim,

Could you post a link to the Northern info on those? I just looked and didn't find them at that price. Also, is there a code for free shipping needed? Thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JimR]

link
I did make a mistake on the price. They were listed in the catalog at $24.99. I paid $19.99 for these. The free shipping code is 67687 and it has to be under 50 pounds total.
One other thing I forgot to mention. The website says that these open to 17 1/2 inches. The box states that they open to 22". The part number on the box matches the catalog and website.

 

[BrettW]

Jim, thaks for the link and number, 67687, just saved a few bucks on shipping, bw

 

[JimR]

You are most welcome. I'll post more on these special offers when I see them.

 

[TORQUIN]

Can you explain more about how you plan to use these? I'm trying to understand how they will save time. It appears to me you will have to have a helper to attach the tongs and hook them to the bucket.
Am I misunderstanding how you are going to use them?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[JimR]

Right now I use one set of tongs that do not swivel. This is a real pain as you need to find the balance point or close to it to keep from hanging up when backing up. The log always tries to swing around to the way the tractor is going. It is real hard to lay up a log on a pile as it is turned the opposite way. I have two hooks on my bucket at each end on the backside. I will hang my chain from both hooks ove rthe front of the bucket. I will hook a swiveling set of tongs on each end of the bucket to the chain. Yes, I will need to to get down to hook the tongs onto the log. I do that now anyway, more than once to find a balance point on the log to be moved. These swiveling tongs will allow me to get down only once before moving the log. Stacking the logs will now be a blessing. I will not have to get down off the tractor to swing one end onto the pile and then get back up to move the log where it should go and let it down. If you had to move the logs like I have had too, you would know what I mean. The other use for these will be to hold the logs up for chain saw cutting. I will be able to cut from both ends without any chance of hanging up the saw or hiiting firt on the ground. The 5 foot piece left over will be a breeze to slice up once the rest is cut up. I'll post some pictures this weekend to show you how I plan to use these. If I get time I will do it tomorrow night.

 

[NHSawyer]

Jim,
Your tongs idea is a good one. I understand exactly the problems you are dealing with on the logs. I move logs all the time. Having these setup like you describe will make your work go a lot faster.
My solution was a set of Paynes forks. Best money I ever spent. If the logs are on bunks I don't even get down from the seat just drive up & pick up the logs. I try to have all the logs on bunks but if it happens that they are on the ground or in a pile I just get the forks up close to the log & then get down & roll it onto the forks. I can move upto 4-5 smaller logs or 2 large logs at a time. Great time saver.

 

[Youare]

I have an old pair of log tongs that has a round ring where yours has a D-ring connecting the two halves together. I run a chain from the bucket through the ring, this gives the tongs freedom to rotate some.

With no log on the tongs hung in line with the tractor if you let the tongs down over the log they would spread open and grip the log as you raised the bucket. The tongs were positioned so they hung just below the cutting edge of the bucket. I would pick up a log a little off balance and allow it to turn so the heavy end was away from the tractor.

The light end would catch under the bucket now the whole log was off the ground in line with the tractor. I could then drive to the log pile and place the log on from the end of the pile. If things went just right as the log rested on the pile the tongs would open some and some times come free of the log. If the log was not in the correct position I could push it with the bucket.

I must admit some times I spent more time trying to get this catch and release procedure to happen so I would not have to get off the tractor. After a while you can look at a log and know the balance point. Using two sets of tongs sounds like a good idea and a lot safer too.

Bucket forks are an ever better way to go.

Randy

 

[JimR]

Here is a picture of the tongs in action. They do work like a dream. I can unhook them without getting off the tractor by moving backwards after lowering the log. The tongs roll right off the log.