Root Rake Grapple

[fortyseven2n]

I am adding a third function to my 2009 Kubota L3400 HST tractor and am looking for advice on what size grapple would be best for my tractor. I would mostly be using it to pick up brush and limbs/logs and move them around.

Currently I use my forks and have moved literally tons of stuff but it is hard to keep from losing something in transit.

I am looking at the following options:

48" wide - 450 lbs

#14 48" Econo Root Rake | MS Attachments

msattachments.com

or

60" wide at 550 lbs

#1 E-series Root Rake | MS Attachments

msattachments.com

Any suggestions of which size would be the best choice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Fortyseven2n

 

[Cataclysm]

Id go with the lighter one and in fact look for one that's even lighter than the 48" grapple you have listed. That's based on the lift capacity of the tractor.

W.R. Long Grapple 54" grapple is listed at 360 lbs. There are likely others with similar weights.

 

[oosik]

I've had my 60 inch Land Pride grapple for over ten years now. I can say truthfully - width is not really that important. A 48 inch grapple will pick up most anything as well as a 60 inch, or larger, grapple.

How it its constructed and it's weight can be more important.

A grapple can - either intentionally or accidentally - be subjected to some mighty damaging forces. I would always choose the smaller, stronger grapple over a larger, lightly built one.

My grapple - Land Pride, SGC1560, 820 pounds of AR400 steel. Used to move large rocks and chunks of pine tree trunk. Still in the same condition as when initially purchased.

 

[old and tired]

How much more brush do you have to move? I have the single bolt on grapple at 140 pounds paired with a tooth bar offers a nice combination. Both are made in Tarboro, NC

Bolt On Grapple Single, Dual, Dual X | W.R. Long Inc.

The Bolt On Grapple Single BOG-Single and the Bolt On Grapple Dual BOG-Dual are designed to fit most tractor loader buckets with lift capacities up to 2,200.

www.wrlonginc.com

 

[oosik]

Don't forget to modify your grill guard. Limbs, sticks and stobs have a nasty way of finding your grill, radiator or battery. This is how I had mine modified.

 

[fc1]

Too heavy, OP; those will eat up half your lift capacity. Higher grade steel retains strength at lower weight; my 58" Anbo weighs abt 350# and is unphased by the stupidest grapple tricks.

 

[fortyseven2n]

Thanks for the input from everyone. The WR Long is a good looking grapple but out of my price range. I can get the 48" from Midstate for $ 1300 and the 60" for $ 100 more. Planning on going to their yard this weekend to check them out. I bought a set of forks from them in 2010 and they have been bullet proof. They make everything on site except for the forks themselves. I've moved a ton of logs, brush and so on over the years. To answer old and tired, I live on 52 acres with a 1/4 mile driveway. There is never any shortage of something to clean up. Also good point about the grill guard. Been lucky so far but time to do something before I do some real damage.

 

[D&D]

Quite a few good ones out there. The same width (or slightly smaller) as tractor is what I would pick.
Have you considered just adding a grapple to your forks?

Pallet Fork – Precision Manufacturing

Pallet Fork Grapple Attachment! Easy on/off, holds brush, limbs & logs. Stabilizes pallets. Optional log clamp. Fits most forks. Learn More!

precisionmfg.com

Carolina Implement Grapple?

While browsing grapples for my Yanmar YT235C I ran across an ad from a fairly large tractor dealer that's not far from me. After looking more closely at the pictures I liked what I saw so I started asking questions. He claims that they are made by Carolina Implement (not to be confused with...

www.tractorbynet.com

Front End Attachments Archives

Front End tractor attachments Enhance tractor capabilities for diverse industries like agriculture, construction, landscaping

cattachments.com

Grapples Archives - Unlimited Fabrications

**The total on your order does NOT include shipping charges. Our team will contact you once the order is received to provide your custom shipping quote. Once you approve, we will process and ship your item(s).

www.rootgrapple.com

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Homestead Implements delivers American-made Cat-1 and Cat-2 tractor implements. Veteran-owned and dedicated to excellence, we provide robust, reliable tractor attachments.

homesteadimplements.com

 

[dieselscout80]

I’ve those Mid State grapples in SC on Craigslist. What I have not been able to determine is if the pivot points and cylinder pins are greaseable.

Fortyseven2n, please post if they have grease zerks.

 

[WillySage24]

Catawba Attachments has a great root grapple. Customer service has always been great and haven't had issues at all with them.

Tractor Grapple Attachments: Heavy-Duty and Built to Last

Enhance your tractor's capabilities with our durable and reliable dual-cylinder grapple attachments. Designed for tractors with 60 hp and under. Shop now!

cattachments.com

 

[fortyseven2n]

I stopped by Mid State on Saturday to check out the grapples. They are stout. The grapple pivots on bolts instead of pins. No grease fittings and I couldn't tell if there were bushings. They would probably last me a lifetime. If I was using it everyday, I could add grease fittings or open up the holes and add bushings use pins instead of bolts.

 

[dieselscout80]

I stopped by Mid State on Saturday to check out the grapples. They are stout. The grapple pivots on bolts instead of pins. No grease fittings and I couldn't tell if there were bushings. They would probably last me a lifetime. If I was using it everyday, I could add grease fittings or open up the holes and add bushings use pins instead of bolts.

Thanks

For my limited usage they would likely last my lifetime too.

 

[oosik]

472N - You like the grapple from Mid State. No problem. Just every so often pull the bolts - grease heavily - reinsert. Good to go.

The problem now-a-days...... there are just too many choices. Guy has to be careful on the choices he makes. Has to be a wizard to remember what he had seen and reviewed on the internet.

 

[Doug Vee]

I've had my 60 inch Land Pride grapple for over ten years now. I can say truthfully - width is not really that important. A 48 inch grapple will pick up most anything as well as a 60 inch, or larger, grapple.

I agree with oosik in this regard. Almost everything I handle is longer than the grapple is wide, many times, much longer. 12" longer would make little difference in the grapples ability to do its job.

Although, I have noticed with the 60" EA grapple on my L48, it would be easier to see the bottom outside corners if it was a 66" or 72" model.

Doug

 

[dieselscout80]

I agree with oosik in this regard. Almost everything I handle is longer than the grapple is wide, many times, much longer. 12" longer would make little difference in the grapples ability to do its job.

Although, I have noticed with the 60" EA grapple on my L48, it would be easier to see the bottom outside corners if it was a 66" or 72" model.

Doug

Being able to see the sides of the grapple is a great point!

 

[oosik]

I would agree that a wider grapple would make "scraping the ground" a whole lot easier. The only time I would be doing this - cleanup after one of my large ancient pines came down. Pine bark beetle and wind.

Otherwise - I stand to see where the grapple tines are and go for it. Some times I'm too high - some times too low. Makes little difference. Go at it again and if I scuff things up - rear blade will smooth it all out.

My 80 acres is open range land. Also called the Scab Rock. There is nothing that I do that can not be corrected.

My only rule - keep that big thundering Kubota off my lawns. I have a JD 750 for lawn maintenance.