New toys have arrived

2720wes · Oct 16, 2009

Good evening all

My new grapple and rotary cutter came home this week, got to use them one afternoon then it started raining and may never stop

.
Anyway the grapple is 52" wide- 1/2" steel from a Florida company called 'WEAReduction'. Paul Green was my contact and was VERY helpful. I decided to get my dealer to do all the valve and hydraulic work. Expensive but it took them only 1 day. They put a Fasse Valve and joystick on, again expensive but wow, that thing makes it so easy, push a button that is "right there" by your thumb to operate the grapple, release the button and the curl/dump function works again. I am 100% happy with the performance of the grapple and valve.

Next while at the dealer I asked about a rotary cutter to take over for my GT225 for my back field and hill areas that get mowed maybe 4 times a year. He offered me their last Frontier RC1060 with laminated tailwheel and chain guards for $800 less than the RC2060. Tried it out and it made short work of the 2-3 foot grass and weeds and was very quiet. Did a great job and the 2720 pulled it up hill and thru tall grass with no problem. Again completely satisfied.

Even though the bank account took a beating this week, whats better than toys for your tractor? I've got to ask, how did I get along without a grapple? My new favorite attachment.

Wes

turbo36 · Oct 16, 2009

How about a picture of the valve and control button?

GreatWhitehunter · Oct 16, 2009

Nice new toy, a word of caution that grapple is way more capible than you loader so go easy. The design of the sweeping C root grapples like your is very aggressive and really suited for skid steers or larger loaders. You will be amazed how useful it will be for tons of thing.

Matt

Ductape · Oct 16, 2009

What does that grapple weigh?

2720wes · Oct 16, 2009

turbo36 said:
How about a picture of the valve and control button?

The lower left button allows the joystick to operate the grapple when its pushed and held, the top button you push it in to keep hydraulic control with the grapple but you lose dump/curl function.
The dealer said he usually installs the valve on the loader frame that is bolted to the tractor, facing in but my backhoe frame mount was in the way so he had to put it where it is, facing out. I'm going to make some kind of shield to protect it from brush.

GreatWhitehunter,
The grapple is definately the strong link of the setup. After only an hour of use I can see it becoming my most useful attachment.

Ductape,
I was told it weighed about 460LBS. I was concerned at first but the loader lifted it easily and those two 10-11ft telephone poles are rather heavy and the tractor/loader lifted them no problem.

SLHawkins · Oct 16, 2009

I completely agree with you on the grapple being your most used accessory. I had both a 4-n-1 bucket and a root grapple with my last tractor (Mitsubishi MT4201D). The grapple was definitely the accessory of choice. When I purchased my next tractor (John Deere 5403), I ordered just the open bottom grapple from WR Long. It is indeed my favorite accessory!!

billb3 · Oct 16, 2009

every time I move a stump, pile of branches/ brush , logs (cut an inch too long), just plain stuff with the bucket I wish I had a grapple.
That control looks like it could be used as a flight stick. Sure there are no AIM-7 Sparrows under the chassis ?

Thomas · Oct 17, 2009

Deere has mighty set of teeth and looks hungry for some work..post some pics soon.

Congrats on your new investment...oohhh yeah..useing word toy okay here,but not around the better halfs.

turbo36 · Oct 17, 2009

2720wes said:
The lower left button allows the joystick to operate the grapple when its pushed and held, the top button you push it in to keep hydraulic control with the grapple but you lose dump/curl function.
The dealer said he usually installs the valve on the loader frame that is bolted to the tractor, facing in but my backhoe frame mount was in the way so he had to put it where it is, facing out. I'm going to make some kind of shield to protect it from brush.

GreatWhitehunter,
The grapple is definately the strong link of the setup. After only an hour of use I can see it becoming my most useful attachment.

Ductape,
I was told it weighed about 460LBS. I was concerned at first but the loader lifted it easily and those two 10-11ft telephone poles are rather heavy and the tractor/loader lifted them no problem.