Price check/ Grapple question... one thumb or two?

[Mpking]

I've been keeping an eye out for a grapple on craigslist and finally found one but it only has one thumb where I was looking for two. But then I got to thinking which is better one thumb or two? What are the pros/cons?

My main uses are scooping up brush, logs, etc. that I have cut down and piling up for burning.

Here's the one I found. It's a 5' Gator that is about a year old, lightly used per the seller. He's asking $1200. Is that a good price?

 

[jake98]

Sounds too close to the new price, to me. For moving trees and brush, one grapple will work, two just holds everything a little better.

 

[HCJtractor]

I have almost the same grapple, a 48", but made with slightly heavier steel. Not sure about current prices, so I can't say if this price is good. I would get a quote from Gator first. As far as one thumb, I would say one is better for a grapple this size---fewer moving parts and less hydraulics, lighter, cheaper, and absolutely no less efficient in grasping. After all, the top thumb just holds what you pick up. I never have any problem grasping anything with one thumb whatsoever, and I use mine extensively. Think about it, one thumb in the middle makes more sense than two unbalanced ones. After all, how many thumbs in on your hand?

 

[jake98]

I have almost the same grapple, a 48", but made with slightly heavier steel. Not sure about current prices, so I can't say if this price is good. I would get a quote from Gator first. As far as one thumb, I would say one is better for a grapple this size---fewer moving parts and less hydraulics, lighter, cheaper, and absolutely no less efficient in grasping. After all, the top thumb just holds what you pick up. I never have any problem grasping anything with one thumb whatsoever, and I use mine extensively. Think about it, one thumb in the middle makes more sense than two unbalanced ones. After all, how many thumbs in on your hand?

Think of it more like two hands instead of one..
Your grapple stops at the first hard item, where doubles close independently, on loads that vary in size. Better grip, that's all.. :thumbsup:

 

[nybirdman]

Just call Gator and price WITH shipping:if lightly used adjust accordingly.I would ask why he is selling?Too much for his tractor..is it too much for yours.
Check the weight.

 

[dstig1]

4' would work fine for your size tractor. 5' may be on the large side, but maybe not, depending on your uses. Mine is 4' Gator. That price is as much as new, so I would pass and buy new. Also watch out as you have a Kubota QA and Gator's setup does not play well with it as the back of the grapple is too open at the top and can cause the grapple to fall off during use (like mine did). This is more of an issue with the 4' ones as there is nothing behind the QA plate, but on the 5' one, there is a vertical rib there to give some support. Frankly it is a design flaw in the grapple, IMHO.