pallet fork and/or bucket grapple

[Stomper]

I reciently picked up a set of forks for my L2501. I can't believe how handy they are around the yard. I have also been wanting a grapple for when firewood season hits and other odd jobs like cleaning up the years of fallen braches and small trees that have accumulated around my property. While searching the net I came across pallet fork grapples. Never knew they existed. They look really simple and easy to build and having the tools, skills and most of the material on hand to build a set, it wouldn't take very long. My delema is that I have never used a grapple or a pallet fork grapple before. Searching on youtube, they both seem to be quite handy, given the specific tasks they were used for, The pallet fork grappel would work well for firewood but not so much for cleaning the branches up unless I could come up with some sort of cage bottom to fit on the forks. Any opinions and experiences with either or both of these would be greatly appreciated. If you have built either one I would also like to see some picrures.
Another option that I have been concidering, is to build an "add a grapple" type grapple that could be used on my bucket or my pallet forks. I would make it so that it could be installed or removed with the pivot pins

 

[TomSeller]

I reciently picked up a set of forks for my L2501. I can't believe how handy they are around the yard. I have also been wanting a grapple for when firewood season hits and other odd jobs like cleaning up the years of fallen braches and small trees that have accumulated around my property. While searching the net I came across pallet fork grapples. Never knew they existed. They look really simple and easy to build and having the tools, skills and most of the material on hand to build a set, it wouldn't take very long. My delema is that I have never used a grapple or a pallet fork grapple before. Searching on youtube, they both seem to be quite handy, given the specific tasks they were used for, The pallet fork grappel would work well for firewood but not so much for cleaning the branches up unless I could come up with some sort of cage bottom to fit on the forks. Any opinions and experiences with either or both of these would be greatly appreciated. If you have built either one I would also like to see some picrures.
Another option that I have been concidering, is to build an "add a grapple" type grapple that could be used on my bucket or my pallet forks. I would make it so that it could be installed or removed with the pivot pins

Do you have SSQA (skid steer quick attach) on your FEL? EverythingAttachments.com is highly regarded for grapples but they are $$ if you just need an occasional grapple. Titan is very cost effective.

 

[Stomper]

Yes I have the SSQA. I love the EA grapples but to get one up here to canada with our dollar so crappy and shipping costs, would be rediculous expensive.

 

[LD1]

If your task is general firewood cleanup, save your money on the forks grapple and get an actual grapple.

If you weren't dealing with brush and just bucking logs, I'd be all for the fork grapple.

A grapple sized for your machine can be had in the $1100-$1300 range.

Do you have a diverter or 3rd function to run the hydraulics up there?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Pallet forks with a matching grapple works GREAT for brush, mine get's used for that purpose, quite a bit!

The forks are longer than a dedicated grapple, and they slide along on the ground nicely, picking up brush. Then every once in a while, you close the grapple to condense the brush on the forks, then open back up and drive along loading more.

For log work, pallet forks/grapple have even more advantages...

There's NO grapple made that I'd trade my pallet forks/grapple for!

SR

 

[Stomper]

LD1, I have the 3rd function but I haven't installed it yet.
Sawyer Rob, is your grapple a single one in the middle of your forks or is it the full width of the forks

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Single, and it's made so if needed, like the pallet forks, you can slide it either way sideways for different situations.

There's lot's of little brush in this pile too,

A single grapple/pallet forks gives much more room for cutting firewood out of logs too,

SR

 

[TomSeller]

I have a small Kubota B21 that would be perfect with a small fork grapple. I could get more use out of that setup on the property where I have the B21 than a separate grapple and separate forks like I have on other property. I'd need a light setup however.

 

[Stomper]

Single, and it's made so if needed, like the pallet forks, you can slide it either way sideways for different situations.

There's lot's of little brush in this pile too,

A single grapple/pallet forks gives much more room for cutting firewood out of logs too,

SR

Looks real handy. You just might have convinced me to go for the fork grapple. Do you have any pictures of how it mounts to the forks. Did you make it yourself or buy it.

 

[Stomper]

I have a small Kubota B21 that would be perfect with a small fork grapple. I could get more use out of that setup on the property where I have the B21 than a separate grapple and separate forks like I have on other property. I'd need a light setup however.

Yes light is good, as long as its not to light. Im not sure what my forks weigh, but the less weight I add to them the more I can lift. My LA525 loade is rated for 525kg at the bucket pivot pins.