Grapple sort of grapple / rock debris grabber

JimMorrissey · Mar 25, 2006

Can you guys think of some kind for front mount tractor attachment that's quick-attach with hydraulic front cylinder I can use to lift individual rocks or a couple (2 or 3) smaller rocks. I'm not looking for a full size grapple, but maybe something similar, but smaller in size and could be used for building stone walls. I could use my hoe with thumb but I can't transport that way. I want to snag rocks with the loader and place them with the loader, not just snag a big pile and dump them randomly. I would like it to be lighter in weight, strong and have a shallower profile as to maximize the lifting power closer to the pivot point.

tawilson · Mar 25, 2006

I've gotten pretty handy at picking up individual rocks with my stone forks. Because you can see through the tines it is much easier to pick something up, just like with a set of pallet forks. Mine are 75", but for what you're talking a small set would be even handier. I've got the Vreten, and they have a little dip in the front of the tines for better scooping.

JimMorrissey · Mar 25, 2006

Tom,

OK...I just did a Google search and found what you're talking about. The only problem is that it doesn't have any "binder" on the top to hold the load, but maybe it doesn't need it. I'd like something to snatch a rock or small boulder from a pile.

daTeacha · Mar 25, 2006

ATI, who advertises on here, and also Precision Manufacturing make an add on grapple. The Precision Manufacturing (precisionmfg.com) version come as a single or double unit with mount or as a single without a mount. I have the single coming for my DX 29. I'm planning to use my short home made "manure tines" on the bottom and the grapple on top for just the tasks you're talking about. The lower part cost just some time and channel steel. The grapple part will be around $500. I have some pics of the forks posted on here under a thread about breaking ice. They're pretty easy to make if you have a welder.

JoeL4330 · Mar 25, 2006

This is my idea

JimMorrissey · Mar 25, 2006

Love it. Where do I get one /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Did you build that yourself? I think it even had one less tooth...something pretty small is what I had in mind. That looks like it's about 60" wide.

JoeL4330 · Mar 26, 2006

Just teasing ...it's WR Long's root grapple, attached to a L4330

texbaylea · Mar 26, 2006

I don't have rocks to contend with but just saw the SkidPro grapples on www.baileys-online.com and thought something like that would be useful. They come as 3pt mount or skid steer mount. They are heavy (695#) and rated to 3000#. Take a good sized tractor.

Vernon

chanceu · Mar 27, 2006

There is a thread in the attachments group that offers several ideas for adding a grapple to an existing bucket. I don't know if that's what you're looking for, but it may offer some leads. Unfortunately, none of them are exactly cheap. The grapples range from around $300 to $900 and then you have the cost of adding hydraulics if you don't already have a third control.

Ebay Grapple, anyone know about it