Grapple questions about choice of root grapple

[rbtjr]

I want a root grapple for our L3800 38 hp Kubota tractor. We have a 4N1 bucket on the FEL, so we already have the quick-connect hydraulics for the grapple. Our first application for the grapple will be to clean up limbs and other debris left by the logger in a couple of miles of road lanes cut in a first thinning of a pine plantation. I have read several TractorByNet threads about grapples. They are very helpful. Now that I am ready to buy, I have some specific questions I would appreciate some feedback about, especially from owners who have actual experience with the brands I have focused on.

What about size? Our rear tractor tires are 60 outside to outside. That makes me think of a 60 or 54 grapple. The Wildkat Econo grapples are attractive cost-wise but apparently come in 66 or 72 width. I have seen several positive comments about the Wildkat 48 grapple even for pretty large tractors.

What about number and thickness of tines? The North American light duty grapple looks good, comes in 48 or 60? but has five tines. It also has 3/8 wide tines, while the other brands have ｽ tines.

What about jaw-opening width and depth? The W. R. Long light duty has 48? Wildkat 36? North American 38-40 and CID 32? Except for this, the CID light duty grapple looks pretty good (without knowing the thickness of the tines).

What about the length of the tines protruding past the supporting bar that runs perpendicular to the tines? And what about the depth of the grapple葉he distance from the front end of the tines to the back of the grapple? This distance looks short on the Long grapples.

Any and all feedback would be welcome. Thanks in advance for your comments. Below are the web sites of the vendors I mentioned.

RBG

http://www.wildkatattachments.com/grapple.html

Light Duty Root Grapple | North American Implements

Heavy Duty Root Grapple aka Grapple Rake | North American Implements

Light Duty Root Grapple

Root Grapple

 

[whitedogone]

Wildkat 48

 

[Biggreenavalanche]

Add construction attachments to your list (just to confuse you more) my dealer recommended I go no bigger than a 60"...he also recommended a model with two top "jaws" (lack of a better term) that clamp down...very interested in what you get, had pretty much decided on a CA but still open to suggestions at this point...

Rich

 

[murphy1244]

I don't own one yet but there were threads on here about problems with some so stay tuned.Check out MIE .http://www.michiganironandequip.com/

 

[jcummins]

Stay with 48".... you don't need anything bigger. I used 48" on M7040 and it was the perfect size.

 

[rbtjr]

Thanks for the responses so far. I have pretty much decided to go with 60" or less, probably 48", but I am still researching and would welcome whatever additional input anyone is willing to provide. Murphy1244, I went to the Michigan Iron web site. Their units really look strong. I'm going to call them to check them out more. One think about their units is that they have a flat bottom. I'm not sure how that affects anything. Thanks for the reference. Biggreenavalanche, I had CA on my list and failed to include CA in my post.

 

[Deerherd]

I just ordered this one from Michigan Iron today and I'm hoping it will be here by the end of the week, first part of next week.

QAG60S Hound Dog Attachments Grapples Single Top Grapples

 

[Red Horse]

I have to second Whitedogone. The 48 Wildkat should be perfect for your machine. I have a 4720 (60HP) and it works very well. With 60 horse could I wreck it? Probably but common sense keeps me out of trouble. Great value. I use it for brush, bucking logs and its handled its share of stumps. One of my kids has it now on his 2520 doing clean up-check my avatar and attached pix as I ordered it without Deere hooks and put my own on.

 

[rbtjr]

Thanks, Red Horse. Question: I see on the ends of the tines on the Wildkat 48 what looks like flat spears. Most of the root grapples I have seen on the Internet just have the vertical tines and not these little horizontal spear-shaped flat pieces on the end of the tines. Do you like having those "spears" on the tines? Do they interfere if you want to run the tines into the ground a few inches to dig out roots? Also, according to the Wildkat web site the Wildkat 48" opens to 24" and is 31" deep. Is that correct? If so, have you ever wanted a larger jaw opening? Thanks again.

 

[JoeBuyer]

On root rake grapples where you are clearing brush my opinion is that you need the grapple at least as wide as the tractor tires. My 72" root rake grapple is mainly on a 72" wide machine and I could do at times with a 84". Again, this is for brush. If you are using a grapple with the large lower teeth, I would guess much more narrow.

 

[rbtjr]

Thanks, JoeBuyer. What brand grapple do you have? Do you like it? Anything you don't like about it? Thanks again.

 

[JoeBuyer]

I bought mine recently second hand from a friend. He got bought it at Palletforks.com or SkidsteerExpress.com, I am not sure. They are both made by Titan.

http://stores.palletforks.com/-strs...y=Grapple Bucket Attachments:72" Grapple Rake
http://www.skidsteerexpress.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=ROOT3RG-R72

This company has some really cost effective models and the root rake is a good one in my opinion. They have other models that people are having troubles with, so do your research. The root rakes are T1 steel and the 72" and 84" ones have 1/2" thick teeth. Mine works well for brush. Picking up logs with it is possible, but a little hard due to the lack of protruding teeth on the bottom. But I have done it. If I were buying a standard grapple and not clearing brush primarily I would look at other sources, but I like my rake style and I like these prices.

 

[HCJtractor]

On root rake grapples where you are clearing brush my opinion is that you need the grapple at least as wide as the tractor tires. My 72" root rake grapple is mainly on a 72" wide machine and I could do at times with a 84". Again, this is for brush. If you are using a grapple with the large lower teeth, I would guess much more narrow.

I disagree. I have a 48" Markham on a 70 horse Kubota and it is a beast. Wider may be ok for simply scooping up loose debris, but for uprooting/digging and collecting debris, the narrower ones shine. I use mine a tremendous amount, and a wider one would not allow the focused pressure needed for uprooting, and it's plenty wide for collecting debris. And two "claws" is overkill. One is plenty. I never have a problem holding what I grab. One thumb works just fine. It's my most used implement.

 

[JoeBuyer]

I disagree. I have a 48" Markham on a 70 horse Kubota and it is a beast. Wider may be ok for simply scooping up loose debris, but for uprooting/digging and collecting debris, the narrower ones shine. I use mine a tremendous amount, and a wider one would not allow the focused pressure needed for uprooting, and it's plenty wide for collecting debris. And two "claws" is overkill. One is plenty. I never have a problem holding what I grab. One thumb works just fine. It's my most used implement.

Like anything else I guess, it depends what you use it for. The brush I have has soft small roots, but 10' of top growth.

 

[jcummins]

I disagree. I have a 48" Markham on a 70 horse Kubota and it is a beast. Wider may be ok for simply scooping up loose debris, but for uprooting/digging and collecting debris, the narrower ones shine. I use mine a tremendous amount, and a wider one would not allow the focused pressure needed for uprooting, and it's plenty wide for collecting debris. And two "claws" is overkill. One is plenty. I never have a problem holding what I grab. One thumb works just fine. It's my most used implement.

HCJ I agree, in fact you was partly responsible for me getting the 48"..

Two pics, first I uprooted this tree with the grapple, heading for burn pile. Second, the last of a big tree, also headed for the burn pile....it has the front tires half flat.

 

[murphy1244]

be carefull of weight. you must subtract from total lift.

 

[rbtjr]

That's pretty impressive work for any grapple.

 

[murphy1244]

be carefull of weight. you must subtract from total lift.

 

[HCJtractor]

Like anything else I guess, it depends what you use it for. The brush I have has soft small roots, but 10' of top growth.

That's true. I can see how a wider one would have advantages for "raking" so the main purpose surely would dictate which is better. Regardless, any grapple is better than no grapple! I was speaking on how I use mine, which is primarily for cleaning up chain saw debris when I trim roads and trails, and for clearing land of small trees and saplings by uprooting them. I attack some trees that are pretty big.

One caution is that grapple work does take it's toll on a tractor. I think it really wears the clutch if you are doing lots of pushing and the debris can find pathways to damage your front end and undercarriage. When you have a grapple, you can easily get into a bulldozer mentality, and damage can occur quickly. Done that too many times!!! So protect your front by making a solid inpenetrable grill guard before you use it.

 

[rbtjr]

You guys have influenced me in the direction of a 54" grapple for my 60" wide tractor. I haven't made up my mind for sure yet, but I see the advantages of both the 48"--i.e., more narrow--and the 60"+--wider. Our application will be sort of in the middle between rooting out stuff bigger than small roots and simply collecting debris on the surface. So, I am inclined toward a compromise. Since the W. L. Long open bottom grapple (OBG2) has a 54" model and also has a 44" jaw-opening, I am looking closely at it. I also found some good reports about the Long implements on TBN. I also am getting a Long 4N1 bucket for the FEL, so the hydraulics would match up if I got a Long grapple.

By the way, I just found TBN a few days ago, and it is clearly a good resource for tractor owners. Thanks again to everyone who responded to my post.