Grapple Root Rake Grapple stand or hanger when not in use?

[Porchfan]

So I have a wicked root rake grapple from EA and when I’m not using it, I’m not sure the best way to store it is. Right now, I have it lying face down on the ground in a pole barn. I have set it leaning up against trees and also against a hillside in the past. The issue I have with leaning it against something is it flops over easily if I don’t lean it enough. The grapple I have does not have a stand. It’s one of the lighter ones for compact tractors from EA. I really like it. I think it weighs about 240 pounds. I’m thinking I could add a couple beefy hooks to one of the lower rafters in the pole
Barn and just hang it there. I’m also thinking it would be best to have the cylinders all the way into the ram so as to not get pitted and damaged over time. My grapple, when extended, the cylinders are back inside the ram. I’d be interested in your thoughts on this? I’ll post some pictures later today. Thanks!

 

[oosik]

Well - I got my Land Pride grapple six years ago. I've never had occasion to take it off. My grapple weighs 820#. Not something you are going to "horse around" to reconnect. Having your grapple in a "position" for easy reconnect might be important. It's such low humidity here - I've NEVER had problems with the rusting. But if you do - then extend the grapple and have the cylinders back inside.

I would set your grapple on a pallet and rope it up to the rafters. Just to keep it in an upright position. No need to "hang" it and make the rafter take the full weight.

 

[Cat385B]

When you set it down, it wants to tip back or forward?

 

[BRMyers]

So I have a wicked root rake grapple from EA and when I’m not using it, I’m not sure the best way to store it is. Right now, I have it lying face down on the ground in a pole barn. I have set it leaning up against trees and also against a hillside in the past. The issue I have with leaning it against something is it flops over easily if I don’t lean it enough. The grapple I have does not have a stand. It’s one of the lighter ones for compact tractors from EA. I really like it. I think it weighs about 240 pounds. I’m thinking I could add a couple beefy hooks to one of the lower rafters in the pole
Barn and just hang it there. I’m also thinking it would be best to have the cylinders all the way into the ram so as to not get pitted and damaged over time. My grapple, when extended, the cylinders are back inside the ram. I’d be interested in your thoughts on this? I’ll post some pictures later today. Thanks!

I have the same issue. For the few occasions I need to use my bucket, it makes me dread taking off the grapple because I don't have a good stand to put it on. The last two times, I have pulled up to a hill side and pushed the bottom into the hill, and then leaned the top over with it open. Wedging it in the dirt kept it from moving and when i was ready I was able to pull right back up to it and hook up. This is definitely not a long term storage solution, just used this for a few hours and then I hooked back up to the grapple.

Maybe this winter I will look to see what scrap wood I have around and see what I can bolt together for a stand.

 

[CoyPatton]

First with out pictures, I am making an assumption that with your cylinder rods inside the cylinder the grapple is as open as possible.
Can you uncurl (dump) where the grapple rest on the points of the top and bottom portions and unhook from it in this position?
You may still wish to use the pallet concept to keep it off the ground a bit.

If you can not unhook in the above described position, then I suggest a pallet for a base for the grapple to sit on, add supports for which direction lean allows best access to hook and unhook it and let it lean that direction for the amount you determine with the supports you build onto the pallet.

 

[mcfarmall]

Usually the cylinder rods are hard chrome plated and will withstand decades of exposure without pitting or rusting.

I would design a folding kickstand for the grapple like the ones on the Land Pride grapples. My Precision Mfg unit has fixed, welded-on parking stands.

 

[i7win7]

Storing open grapple, I think gravity would pressurize one of the hoses. My grapple has a parking stand, if stored on multiple pallets or a sturdy stand/shelf it's easier to connect if SSQA connector is above tractor hood line. Requires a sturdy stand/shelf

 

[shooterdon]

I use the HF dollies but mine has a flat bottom.

EA was on my short list when I was researching. IIRC at least some models had an optional, parking stand but I want to store mine inside, and with limited space a dolly is essential.

 

[Bearsixty7]

First with out pictures, I am making an assumption that with your cylinder rods inside the cylinder the grapple is as open as possible.
Can you uncurl (dump) where the grapple rest on the points of the top and bottom portions and unhook from it in this position?
You may still wish to use the pallet concept to keep it off the ground a bit.

If you can not unhook in the above described position, then I suggest a pallet for a base for the grapple to sit on, add supports for which direction lean allows best access to hook and unhook it and let it lean that direction for the amount you determine with the supports you build onto the pallet.

^^^^^ EA has instructions on the website for this, open it all the way, then tilt it down and rest it wide open on the top and bottom tines. Like you said, the pistons will also be fully retracted and protected inside the cylinders.

 

[Porchfan]

When you set it down, it wants to tip back or forward?

Backwards towards the tractor.

 

[Porchfan]

^^^^^ EA has instructions on the website for this, open it all the way, then tilt it down and rest it wide open on the top and bottom tines. Like you said, the pistons will also be fully retracted and protected inside the cylinders.

Thanks. Like most engineers, we don’t read the manuals. Lol. I’ll check out the EA website or maybe call them. I live only about 30 miles from the factory. Thanks. I’m also thinking the pallet idea posted here is a good idea too. Here’s the grapple on my B2650.

 

[Porchfan]

Well - I got my Land Pride grapple six years ago. I've never had occasion to take it off. My grapple weighs 820#. Not something you are going to "horse around" to reconnect. Having your grapple in a "position" for easy reconnect might be important. It's such low humidity here - I've NEVER had problems with the rusting. But if you do - then extend the grapple and have the cylinders back inside.

I would set your grapple on a pallet and rope it up to the rafters. Just to keep it in an upright position. No need to "hang" it and make the rafter take the full weight.

Dang. 820 pound grapple is a beast. That’s almost 4x mine. Good idea with the rope and pallet. Thanks!

 

[Porchfan]

Storing open grapple, I think gravity would pressurize one of the hoses. My grapple has a parking stand, if stored on multiple pallets or a sturdy stand/shelf it's easier to connect if SSQA connector is above tractor hood line. Requires a sturdy stand/shelf

I connect the hoses together when I’m not using the grapple. I would think that the hydraulic fluid would flow to both sides and not be an issue pressuring either side.

When I disconnect the lines from the tractor, I float the loader while the third function lines are still active. If I don’t do that, the lines are very hard to disconnect and re connect.

 

[Bearsixty7]

Thanks. Like most engineers, we don’t read the manuals. Lol. I’ll check out the EA website or maybe call them. I live only about 30 miles from the factory. Thanks. I’m also thinking the pallet idea posted here is a good idea too. Here’s the grapple on my B2650. View attachment 679722

The more I think about it, I think EA just posted it several times on their FB page in response to owners asking or reporting issues.

 

[ehcrain]

I park my grapple with cinder blocks under the ssqa plate, keeps the unit mostly upright and easy to reconnect. Mine wants to roll back towards the tractor when disconnecting.

 

[Zebrafive]

Mine, Rake Master, sits without tipping :thumbsup: Both hoses have male tips, so connecting together is not an option. I close the grapple, so gravity does not come into play. I think it's temperature changes that makes rehook up hard. I installed two female couplers on the lid of a 5 gallon pail. I connect the hoses to it when I remove the grapple. Always easy to hook up!

 

[Bearsixty7]

Mine, Rake Master, sits without tipping :thumbsup: Both hoses have male tips, so connecting together is not an option. I close the grapple, so gravity does not come into play. I think it's temperature changes that makes rehook up hard. I installed two female couplers on the lid of a 5 gallon pail. I connect the hoses to it when I remove the grapple. Always easy to hook up!

Wouldn't a short hose with 2 female connectors on it worked as good or better to just connect the lines together?