Purchasing a Grapple...Which one??

[thunderworks]

Claykin22,

<snip>

There is an aftermarket loader manufacturer that has some interesting products and one of their people hangs out here on TBN. The company's name is something like Westfield or Westhoff and they're out in Oklahoma or thereabouts.

JMC: The company is Westendorf and they're located in Iona, Iowa.

R.

 

[Redbug]

Claykin,

These are the grapple threads I have been following lately and am subscribed to:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/109072-w-r-long-grapple.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/113018-root-grapple-question.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/114155-another-grapple-question.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/114301-grapple-fel-vendors-feedback.html


You may have been following them also. If not, some good information and opinions.

 

[jmc]

JMC: The company is Westendorf and they're located in Iona, Iowa.

R.

That's the one. Thank you. And the TBN member is Westendorf-RR.

BTW, the 60 inch grapple I mentioned previously in this thread as being a little heavy for a compact is, in fact, a 66 inch.

John

 

[marinegrunt]

What exactly makes you say it doens't shut as hard as you thought? I like the clam design of the Long because It looks like I could push small brush together before clamping down. Also, It would appear that the clam design would grab smaller trees more efficiently. My woods was logged about 40-50 years ago, so while that sounds like a while ago, a lot of the trees that are down are less than 14" O.D.

It does not chush down like I imagined. It is not a real issue. It is on a compact tractor. I also like the way it is designed. My biggest issue is I need to learn the tricks of useing it. Also, the 3rd fuction joystick is great. The weight of the grapple is not a issue either.

 

[claykin22]

Claykin,

These are the grapple threads I have been following lately and am subscribed to:

You may have been following them also. If not, some good information and opinions.

Thanks Redbug...I did a search in this forum for grapples, and it was a bit overwhelming with all of the threads to look into! I appreciate you narrowing it down.

Clayton

 

[claykin22]

It does not chush down like I imagined. It is not a real issue. It is on a compact tractor. I also like the way it is designed. My biggest issue is I need to learn the tricks of useing it. Also, the 3rd fuction joystick is great. The weight of the grapple is not a issue either.

Got ya on the "crushing". I don't expect my tractor to have overwhelming hydraulic pressure. Just enough to pick it up & hold on while I pile/drag it.

In your experience, should a guy purchase a cheaper grapple to offset the cost of a diverter kit and 3rd function joystick?

 

[claykin22]

That's the one. Thank you. And the TBN member is Westendorf-RR.


John

I like the idea of the Westendorf grapple for simply moving brush/logs & it doesn't require any extra hydraulics (a very cheap alternative).

I would also like for a grapple to be able to dig out some smaller trees & roots though, so I don't think the brush crusher is the tool for my needs.

Thanks for the insight though. Keep it coming, I am as confused as ever to what I really need!!

 

[IslandTractor]

In your experience, should a guy purchase a cheaper grapple to offset the cost of a diverter kit and 3rd function joystick?

That would be my advice. A cheap lightweight grapple plus the WRLong kit or a rear remote. You'll have every bit of the functionality of grapples costing thousands more.

Despite the fact that folks on TBN continue to buy expensive grapples, there just doesn't seem to be any real advantage. The lower priced units from Millonzi, Wildkat and WR Long on a CUT seem to be able to do anything the $3000 monsters can do.

 

[marinegrunt]

Imo, the millonzi or wrlong would be the two. You would just need to pick the design that would work for you.

 

[claykin22]

Thanks for everyone's insight to the Grapple question. I had my dealer order a RBG2 - 60" model from WR Long. I did not pull the trigger on the diverter just yet. I'm going to see how difficult it is to just use the 3rd SCV for now.

Thanks again.

Clayton