Solid bottom grapples

[EddieWalker]

This video shows what I'm dealing with. I'm always clearing trees. My land was so thick when I bought it that it took me years just to see most of it. 20 years later, I'm still clearing trees!!!!

My grapple is great at what it does, but as you can see in the end of my video, I have to use a different tractor to bring in dirt to fill the hole from the root ball of the tree that I took out.

My neighbor has a full-sized backhoe with a 4 in 1 bucket, and that might be the ultimate solution. He can pick up branches and downed trees with it, then haul a load of dirt to fill in the hole without changing tractors or getting off the seat.

I like the idea of a flat bottom grapple because it will hold some dirt. It might take two trips, or even three to fill in a big hole from the root ball, but I'd be making those trips anyway when I'm going back for each part of the tree. Since what I already have is working, I doubt that I will ever buy anything else, but if I didn't already have a grapple, I think that's what I would buy.

 

[Hay Dude]

This video shows what I'm dealing with. I'm always clearing trees. My land was so thick when I bought it that it took me years just to see most of it. 20 years later, I'm still clearing trees!!!!

My grapple is great at what it does, but as you can see in the end of my video, I have to use a different tractor to bring in dirt to fill the hole from the root ball of the tree that I took out.

My neighbor has a full-sized backhoe with a 4 in 1 bucket, and that might be the ultimate solution. He can pick up branches and downed trees with it, then haul a load of dirt to fill in the hole without changing tractors or getting off the seat.

I like the idea of a flat bottom grapple because it will hold some dirt. It might take two trips, or even three to fill in a big hole from the root ball, but I'd be making those trips anyway when I'm going back for each part of the tree. Since what I already have is working, I doubt that I will ever buy anything else, but if I didn't already have a grapple, I think that's what I would buy.

Boy you sure knocked that tree down fast. It only took like 5 seconds
You backfilled it even faster! lol
I see you are big on chainsawing safety equipment like me

Beautiful property you got there.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you. I had ear plugs in, and safety glasses on. I'm all about safety!!!

 

[Hay Dude]

Thank you. I had ear plugs in, and safety glasses on. I'm all about safety!!!

I wear my “safety flip flops” sometimes

 

[scootr]

Eddie is obviously not an hourly worker.

 

[PreacherM]

I think the solid sides will prevent you from getting under longer limbs.

My OP shows a grapple with virtually no sides.

Your point is one of the reasons I hesitate to add a grapple to my existing bucket. As well as the fact that it doesn't appear too cost effective in my view. (Approx $1400 for the grapple vs $6-800 minimum to add a grapple and tooth bar to mine, plus several hours fabrication time.)

 

[Hay Dude]

I’d summarize it this way. Base your “bottom/lower half” of your grapple on what you handle the majority of the time.

1. Dirt/fines branches smaller logs- solid bottom
2. Logs/small branches/roots, no dirt- multiple tines (root style) on bottom
3. Logs/large branches, no roots or dirt- 2 or more forks on bottom

Of course there are exceptions and other situations.

 

[scootr]

And there is the 4 way bucket option ... I used mine for solids and brush.
And pulling fence posts.

 

[old and tired]

...reasons I hesitate to add a grapple to my existing bucket...

So do you have a quick connect bucket on your tractor??? If so, get a grapple with tines... Mine is a pin on bucket, so I added a bolt on one. 3 bolts, and 70-ish pounds are removed. Did that a couple of times before I decided that it was too much hassle (vs. making another trip with a full bucket of gravel...)

All depends if you have more money or more time...

 

[scootr]

I had an extra set of 42" forks from the lift, replaced them with 48". So I bought this little rig from Titan minus the forks pretty cheap.