Purchasing a Grapple...Which one??

[claykin22]

Some pictures of the WR LONG RBG2 60" model I picked up last weekend. The unit is very light at 365 lbs. I can't believe the difference in manuverablity & use from my 4 in 1 bucket.

 

[lincolnvt]

Very nice - you have a great set up. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.

Have fun,
Brad

 

[Redbug]

Hi Claykin,

After RPK mentioned about some limbs poking through and bending up part of the T where the hoses link to the grapple, I was sensitive about that spot. While using it, I noticed it was vulnerable, too. I did like he did, and welded a little angle iron on the area to protect it more. Something to think about... Here's a pic of what I did...

 

[bigballer]

I'll try to find some photos of a grapple/tree battle but it is actually easier to describe. For starters there is a lot of variation and unless you are taking out pretty much identially sized trees from the same area you will need to experiment a bit to find the most efficient method. It also depends a lot on what your loader capacity is. I have removed trees with my smaller Kioti CK20 very successfully but it often required different technique and more time than when I use the larger DK40se.

I almost always try to give the tree a little shove to begin with. That helps expose where the roots are and sometimes just knocks the tree over. If the roots are clear then I proceed to stick a tine or two of the grapple underneath and drive forward while lifting/curling the grapple. For softwood trees up to about 5 inches or so that is usually sufficient to rip them out of the ground. Sometimes it takes doing the same thing from a couple of angles and sometimes I'll push on the tree trunk while repositioning to see which way the tree wants to fall and to expose more roots. Same basic procedure with stumps.

It is very easy to pick up a log. Both ways work: either scoop and close the grapple or come down from the top with the grapple open then close and lift. Scooping is easy especially if you can push against a pile or other obstacle that keeps the log from moving. If you don't want the log to move then just come over the top. I've posted a couple photos of coming over the top to pick up a pile of debris.

The last two photos are just digging the grapple under a small tree and lifting it out. I don't recall but I probably used both the motion of the tractor and the lift of the loader to pop it out. Don't underestimate the "wedge" force generated by moving the tractor forward with the grapple under the tree.

thank you for the descriptions and photos, it makes it easier to envision how i would work my projects. i also have a backhoe so i am not sure i would be doing too much tree/stump digging with the grapple but would mostly be moving logs around, piling them up, picking up deadfall, brush, etc.. i mean i have been doing it so far without a grapple but it would make the cleanup go so much faster. i appreciate you posting this..

 

[IslandTractor]

thank you for the descriptions and photos, it makes it easier to envision how i would work my projects. i also have a backhoe so i am not sure i would be doing too much tree/stump digging with the grapple but would mostly be moving logs around, piling them up, picking up deadfall, brush, etc.. i mean i have been doing it so far without a grapple but it would make the cleanup go so much faster. i appreciate you posting this..

I also have a backhoe. I use the grapple to get any stumps/trees I can as it is much faster than using the backhoe. When I run up against a tree/stump I cannot handle with the grapple alone I use the backhoe to dig it out and then use the grapple to cart it away. The backhoe makes a dandy counterweight when carrying big stumps.

 

[Redbug]

Hi Island...

I looked at the last pics you posted. Pretty neat. That's a Woods BH I presume? What does it weigh? I am pondering...

 

[IslandTractor]

Hi Island...

I looked at the last pics you posted. Pretty neat. That's a Woods BH I presume? What does it weigh? I am pondering...

I cannot remember. I'd guess something between 800-1000lbs. The BH90x is a pretty beefy unit.

 

[alchemysa]

You welcome to look at the 3 photos of mine in my gallery .

Great pics Iron Horse. And it looks so..er... green there!
Just kiddin' mate. Its a flamin' dustbowl here at the moment.

How'd you clear that lantana out so fast and get the ground so clean. Isn't that a 4 in 1 on the tractor?

 

[Eagleview]

Great pics Iron Horse. And it looks so..er... green there!
Just kiddin' mate. Its a flamin' dustbowl here at the moment.

How'd you clear that lantana out so fast and get the ground so clean. Isn't that a 4 in 1 on the tractor?

That's how the flail mower leaves the site , one pass and your done . You would never go back to a slasher after owning one . I can mow 6' tall grass and sapplings and leave the paddock looking like that , with no winrows at all . Yes that is a 4in1 bucket , its very handy but i use the hydraulic grapple more . I come across all sorts of junk when im slashing , posts , rubble , car parts etc . I just drop the grapple over it and close the clamp and keep going , when i get to a convienient spot i pile it all up . Even though im expensive , once they have had me they wont have anyone else as i make their scrub look like park land . Where u at bloke ?

 

[GinNB]

Not to hijack a grapple thread but what brand of flail do you use? Best one I've used for heavy scrub is a Maschio. Well built and very large heavy blades (hockey stick or hammer knife versions available). With new blades it does a better job on small trees than a rotary and even the grass and small stuff looks much cleaner than after a big rotary.