Root grapple or chipper? Gonna buy a new toy...

[oosik]

A description of my situation might help you make a decision. I have a very HD grapple and a big pto driven chipper. Every spring I will thin and chip 750-900 small pine trees from my pine stands. Since I'm all by myself this thinning/moving/chipping operation will take me around 60-80 hours every year. I use the grapple to move large chunks of virgin P. pine, large rocks, brush and I even use the grapple to "bite" large chunks of soil and move these large bites to where I need them.


Basically - I'm to lazy to swap out the grapple for my bucket but have found that the grapple works great for this earth moving purpose also. Given the choice I would definitely give up the chipper and rent one rather than giving up the grapple. The chipper has, basically, a single use whereas the grapple is definitely multi-use.

 

[BufordBoone]

I have, and use, both. I like the chipper because it gives me something I can use...woodchips. Amazing how much woodchips can improve a muddy area.

Were I only wanting to get rid of brush, I'd use the grapple to move it to a suitable location (treeline, burnpile).

I'm very pleased with my chipper (Wallenstein BX62). If I had to choose one over the other, the grapple would win.

 

[IslandTractor]

I have both. I use the chipper once or twice a year. I use the grapple for about half or more of all tractor projects. No comparison. You can rent a chipper occasionally and they have wheels to tow with. No grapples for rent in any rental shop I've ever been in. Get a small grapple which is all you need. 48" single jaw. Titan imports one. Everything Attachments makes a nicer 50" compact in North Carolina but it costs more.

 

[Coyote machine]

I bought a Dr.CHP chipper and never uncrated it. I decided I wouldn't use it enough to justify the cost, AND I could get more bang/$ from other implements. I bought a grapple and have used it for a bazillion projects, and have never looked back. I CAN burn, with a permit when weather and permit are aligned. See my avatar!
IF you're going to just clear 1 acre, once for a vegetable patch, etc. I think renting would work. If later you decide you can't do without then go get a chipper.
On the grapple front, again, as stated by lots of TBN members, depending on what your land looks like, what projects you envision, etc. you may be better off getting an appropriately sized grapple.

BTW, my grapple is intended for logs and tree moving/lifting, and that is what I use it for. I also have a 4000# PTO driven winch and tree shear, so my uses are somewhat specific and specialized, vs. those who use a root type grapple for more ground engagement work.
The more you tell us about your land and planned envisioned future uses, the better able we can guide your purchase/rent decisions.

 

[mcfarmall]

Grapple and burn the brush. Learn what poison ivy/poison oak looks like and cut the vines while they're on the trees with a shovel near ground. Wait a year or two and the vines will peel right off the trees for proper disposal...not burning. You'll use the grapple 10x as much as a chipper and your shoulders will thank you.

 

[IslandTractor]

Grapple and burn the brush. Learn what poison ivy/poison oak looks like and cut the vines while they're on the trees with a shovel near ground. Wait a year or two and the vines will peel right off the trees for proper disposal...not burning. You'll use the grapple 10x as much as a chipper and your shoulders will thank you.

And, a couple years after cutting the vines and watching them wither on the tree, DON'T be tempted to wrap the vines around your FEL and backup to pull them off. Those vines are not rotted and you may well pull a big or dead branch down onto yourself. Ask me how I know...