Opinions of Grapple vs. 4:1 Buckets

[Rolando]

Could folks make comments on the relative merits of using a grapple bucket verses the 4:1? Obviously not having to switch buckets is one consideration. But what if you have the skid steer quick hitch?

 

[ronjhall]

Rolando
I do not have a skid steer quick hitch. I have a <font color="orange"> Kubota </font> Quick Coupler that allows me to switch FEL attachments quickly. I have a bucket that has my tooth bar attached and another bucket that has my home built grapple. I am always switching between the buckets and loader forks.
I do not know about the 4 in 1 bucket since I do not have one. However, if it changes as quickly as my other FEL attachments I would have one.
I would think the 4 in 1 bucket would have a lot of use to move items that need picking up, like a pile of small stones instead of trying to scrap them up with the front edge of the bucket.
I use my grapple to mostly to hold piles of branches in the bucket when trimming trees.
I have also used it to pickup poles.
Here are some links to my grapple and quick coupler projects.
Grapple
Quick Coupler

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

My opinion on the Grapple bucket vs. 4-in-1 bucket:

A grapple bucket is better for grabbing brush and various debris. However, grapple buckets are lousy for digging dirt & moving materials like crushed stone or dirt. The cut-out sides of a grapple bucket just limit the amount of material you can move at once.

A 4-in-1 Bucket is better for digging dirt & moving loose materials. A 4-in-1 bucket is ideal for grabbing & pulling, like yanking out fence posts & rooted shrubs. But, 4-in-1 buckets are lousy for grabbing loose brush & limbs. However, you can raise the bucket clam and use the dozer blade to push them to a pile.