Opinion needed grapple OBG2 vs quick clear mini

[new jersey mike]

Hi guys I am only a stones throw away of making my grapple decision and purchase. I have narrowed it down to 2 mfg's, W.R. Long's OBG-2 and the Quick Attach's Quick Clear Mini. most likely the 64" due to the risk of loader stress.

Again I have a NH 2010 T1530 w/ the 250TL.

My question is if anyone has an opinion on the product or actual use of either of them.

My projects will be all over the place from moving stone, clearing brush, TSI so moving some large timber.

I know one dealer is a member and I suspect the other is also, so please keep your comments as unbiased and as technical as possible, I would like to read them too.

Thank you.
Mike

 

[teg]

OBG2

Mini Grapple Rod Bucket : Quick Attach Attachments, Inc.

Are these the two?

I like the WR Long, heaver built construction. I have not seen the minigrapple, looks like round stock for the bottom tines? not too many teeth...

 

[new jersey mike]

OBG2

Mini Grapple Rod Bucket : Quick Attach Attachments, Inc.

Are these the two?

I like the WR Long, heaver built construction. I have not seen the minigrapple, looks like round stock for the bottom tines? not too many teeth...

Yes they are, I was rushing I thought I posted the links thanks for doing that.

 

[ManAtArms]

NJ Mike,

There are a gazillion threads on here about which grapple to purchase...and which one is best...and, well you get the point. I have "heavy duty" gator grapple which is quite similar to the OBG-2 in concept (but weighs more) and it works nicely for what I do, mostly moving logs and split firewood.

I would search for "grapple" and get ready to read a book.

-Mark

Hi guys I am only a stones throw away of making my grapple decision and purchase. I have narrowed it down to 2 mfg's, W.R. Long's OBG-2 and the Quick Attach's Quick Clear Mini. most likely the 64" due to the risk of loader stress.

Again I have a NH 2010 T1530 w/ the 250TL.

My question is if anyone has an opinion on the product or actual use of either of them.

My projects will be all over the place from moving stone, clearing brush, TSI so moving some large timber.

I know one dealer is a member and I suspect the other is also, so please keep your comments as unbiased and as technical as possible, I would like to read them too.

Thank you.
Mike

 

[nvlong4n1]

I like the OBG2!

Nelson @
W. R. Long Inc.

Hi guys I am only a stones throw away of making my grapple decision and purchase. I have narrowed it down to 2 mfg's, W.R. Long's OBG-2 and the Quick Attach's Quick Clear Mini. most likely the 64" due to the risk of loader stress.

Again I have a NH 2010 T1530 w/ the 250TL.

My question is if anyone has an opinion on the product or actual use of either of them.

My projects will be all over the place from moving stone, clearing brush, TSI so moving some large timber.

I know one dealer is a member and I suspect the other is also, so please keep your comments as unbiased and as technical as possible, I would like to read them too.

Thank you.
Mike

 

[IslandTractor]

I like the OBG2!

Nelson @
W. R. Long Inc.

I like the 48 inch OBG2 best! Nice basic grapple. I think the mini grapple from the other manufacturer looks a bit complicated with two upper jaws and a lot of what must be thin guage rods for the bottom given the total claimed weight of 375. The 48 inch OBG2 weighs about 350 as I recall so must be built of stouter materials. Besides, it is very similar to my Millonzi 48 which has served me very well over five years of tough duty (three on a much bigger Kioti DK40se). These basic 48 inch open bottom style (or standard root grapples as I like to call them) are really the best bang for the buck and are easily up to the job with virtually any CUT.

(If Nelson would just figure out that he needs to sell these OBG2's direct to customers he'd clean up! Great company and fine grapple. The hassle of going through a dealer pushes many people to go to Gator/Markham and these other internet direct sellers. WRLong has more experience than almost all of them and produces a great product.)

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I like the 48 inch OBG2 best! Nice basic grapple. I think the mini grapple from the other manufacturer looks a bit complicated with two upper jaws and a lot of what must be thin guage rods for the bottom given the total claimed weight of 375. The 48 inch OBG2 weighs about 350 as I recall so must be built of stouter materials. Besides, it is very similar to my Millonzi 48 which has served me very well over five years of tough duty (three on a much bigger Kioti DK40se). These basic 48 inch open bottom style (or standard root grapples as I like to call them) are really the best bang for the buck and are easily up to the job with virtually any CUT.

(If Nelson would just figure out that he needs to sell these OBG2's direct to customers he'd clean up! Great company and fine grapple. The hassle of going through a dealer pushes many people to go to Gator/Markham and these other internet direct sellers. WRLong has more experience than almost all of them and produces a great product.)

Funny you metion the direct sales since I mentioned this to Neslon on another site and his reply was too the point but I agree that they lose alot of sales to other manufactures because of this. It's really too bad since Long's stuff is a step up as far as quality over the other's. When I approached my dealer he couldn't be bothered. So I ended up with a Millonzi.

Matt

 

[IslandTractor]

Funny you metion the direct sales since I mentioned this to Neslon on another site and his reply was too the point but I agree that they lose alot of sales to other manufactures because of this. It's really too bad since Long's stuff is a step up as far as quality over the other's. When I approached my dealer he couldn't be bothered. So I ended up with a Millonzi.

Matt

Yep. I do understand that the WRLong business model is to operate through retail outlets (dealers) and that there are many good reasons to do that. Unfortunately, this is not the 1980's anymore and today customers are often cruising the internet rather than visiting their dealers when looking for implements. Seems to me they should tweak their model (one line for dealers another for direct sales) or split off a subsidiary that does direct sales on a limited number of items so they can compete with some of the internet savvy implement companies. I learned about grapples from the WRLong website but after screwing around with a disinterested dealer I ended up buying my grapple via ebay (I also bought a used WRLong 4n1 bucket and diverter valve via ebay:thumbsup. Customers are just too familiar with alternative direct sourcing of implements these days to think that everyone is going to their neighborhood dealer for every purchase. Sad to see a premium company like WRLong lose out to more aggressive outfits that use more modern marketing and sales tactics.

 

[new jersey mike]

I want to thank everyone for posting and helping me. I am no longer looking at the 72" and may go to 56.

I have made a couple of calls to dealers for Long's product on friday I wanted to see who would give the best combined price. Most included freight and couple not. But since I decided to ask the price for a 56" and some other extras, it's like the dealers are chatting and now none of them will return my calls. It seems just because I choose to shop around I should be black balled. I did not pitch one against the other, was just waiting for complete quotes from each. Most had to call Longs for pricing and bang on monday shut out.

Way to go America now we loose the freedom of choice..



I did learn in the process that longs had a thumb valve "nice". Except when I ordered my tractor last oct I stated I will be buying a grapple in the future. The dealer said ok and included a takeoff (what did I know) and we will complete the work with another job in the spring. Well the tractor came back and I am looking at the joystick only to find they put in a take-off for a rear cylinder under my seat which will close the jaws. So I have to use the joystick and then reach down below my seat to operate the grapple. I mentioned this to a couple of guys because I feel, well, screwed by my current guy and was looking for a dealer for the future. Someone who would guide me and help me...

one pissed off consumer

 

[IslandTractor]

Couple of points: Your loader is significantly smaller than mine and I do just fine with a 48 inch grapple on a loader with 2700+lb lift capacity. Most everyone who has a 48 on a CUT up to 50hp is very happy and no one I know of on TBN has bought a bigger one. There are people with bigger grapples on CUTs who wish they'd bought a 48. There are lots of threads discussing this point. Briefly, the 48 is more manuverable, weighs less so you have greater net lift capacity, allows more focused application of loader breakout and is less expensive. Don't make the mistake of thinking that because your loader bucket is wide that you need a wide grapple. Wrong concept. Think shovel. Focus the power in a narrow area and you'll accomplish more. Brush sticks together so a 48 inch grapple can lift a brush pile that is six feet plus wide. Logs are no issue. Small is beautiful.

Regarding the grapple control, it seems like your dealer set you up for controlling the grapple with rear remotes operated by a lever next to your seat. He did you a favor and saved you at least $500-700. That is a perfectly reasonable way to control a grapple, many people do that. The joystick mounted button control is overrated. I speak from experience, I've had both. Once you get used to using the rear remote lever (assuming it is an easy hand drop from your joystick), it is just the same as reaching for the gear shift in a manual transmission "four on the floor" car. Duck soup. I currently have the joystick mounted diverter valve (WRLong) but frankly I prefer the rear remote with separate lever.