T8 33" Grapple

[Red Zebra]

Anybody seen the new 33" grapple ont the PT website. (It even has RIGHT side pics ). Looks good. I know some folks were concerned about the strength/thickness....At "33 it would be harder to bend than the 45" version given the same material build.

Whatdayathink? Somebody buy one to give us some feedback!

 

[Marks481]

Nice to see that Power-trac is actively finding new ways to seperate us from our money.

I am really surprised that the PT422 has not changed in price since the month after I bought mine in 2005, and the PT425 price list is still from 2006. I would have thought that we would have seen a price hike this year with the way the dollar has tanked.

 

[Red Zebra]

Nice to see that Power-trac is actively finding new ways to seperate us from our money.

I am really surprised that the PT422 has not changed in price since the month after I bought mine in 2005, and the PT425 price list is still from 2006. I would have thought that we would have seen a price hike this year with the way the dollar has tanked.

That's funny! Maybe they'll start marketing/selling PTs like computer printers:
Give 'em away or sell them cheap so you have to come back to buy their cartridges....or in this case the attachments !

It's good to see R&D is active. And judging by the "right sided" picture...somebody is reading the forum????? Hmmm...

 

[Marks481]

I like the looks of the 33" grapple, and for $700, it seems like a very good deal (compared to $1350 for the grapple bucket). I bet it will be a popular option.

 

[MossRoad]

Purchased seperately, you would pay $700 for the 33" grapple, $350 for a 45" bucket and $125 for teeth. That's $1175.

Compare that to the 45" grapple bucket... you get a 45" heavy duty bucket with teeth, and a larger 45" grapple for $1350. That's only $175 more for a larger, more capable grapple. And it only takes up one space in my garage, VS two if you bought the little bucket and little grapple seperately, although the little grapple may nest a bit inside the 45" bucket, but it doesn't look like it will fit very well.

 

[BobRip]

I like the way it picks up 3 large logs laying next to each other in one bite. I don't think I could do this with the present grapple bucket.

 

[Marks481]

Compare that to the 45" grapple bucket...

Maybe so, but I already have the 4n1 bucket, and would rather not buy another small bucket. The grapple would be handy, and would give me more capability without spending money for something that largely duplicates what I already own.

If I were buying a new PT with accessories, maybe it would be smarter to go the way you are talking about.

 

[KentT]

Maybe so, but I already have the 4n1 bucket, and would rather not buy another small bucket. The grapple would be handy, and would give me more capability without spending money for something that largely duplicates what I already own.

If I were buying a new PT with accessories, maybe it would be smarter to go the way you are talking about.

IMO, even with a new purchase it would not be a real candidate for me. As Moss pointed out, I'd get the grapple bucket for both grapple and dirt work, instead. The grapple bucket has longer bucket teeth than those on the HD/rock bucket and really does a good job digging... I still haven't sharpened mine (I did sharpen the teeth on the rock bucket) and it still will dig very well -- much better than I have wheel motor torque to push into the earth...

The thing I really don't like about this new dedicated grapple (in addition to the questionable strength) is how big the opening is when the grapple is completely closed -- it appears that it would be easy for logs to slide around in there. The "fangs" on the grapple bucket appear much bigger, allowing large "bites" but I think it actually closes down tighter than this dedicated grapple because of the sides of the bucket.

My opinion only but this new grapple isn't a player for me...

 

[Red Zebra]

No doubt it is dedicated piece of EQ.

I'd like to see a hydraulic hammer for steel fence posts....and a rock hammer attachement (like a jack hammer).

Keep it coming PT!

 

[KentT]

No doubt it is dedicated piece of EQ.

I'd like to see a hydraulic hammer for steel fence posts....and a rock hammer attachement (like a jack hammer).

Keep it coming PT!

Look for those types of attachments for the mini-skidsteers like Toro Dingos -- they'd be easy to adapt and their GPH requirements are similar to the PT 422 and 425.

I'd caution that everyone that I've talked to who's used a hydraulic breaker/hammer say that they beat the machine to death if you use them very much... regardless of what type machine it is.

 

[ponytug]

PT does make a rock hammer. It is an add on to the post driver.

I have the post drive and it works like a charm for me. I have thought about the rock breaker, but more for engineering a ground level post driver for retaining walls.

All the best,

Peter

No doubt it is dedicated piece of EQ.

I'd like to see a hydraulic hammer for steel fence posts....and a rock hammer attachement (like a jack hammer).

Keep it coming PT!

 

[ldabe]

Peter,
How about some pics of the post driver in action ;~)

 

[ponytug]

I'd second KentT's comments about hydraulic breakers.

Hydraulic hammers come in several flavors;

1. Some are like hydraulic jack hammers: high power, heavy hammers
2. Some are lightweight, high frequency drivers: lightweight hammers
3. Some are low speed pile drivers: basically gravity powered, some with spring assist

The first are very hard on everyone.
The second are used in the hand held drivers, and they work well; they basically vibrate the post into the ground. They can be attached to FEL, or handheld.
The third is the PT post driver, which has a foot that takes a great deal of the shock. They can be cumbersome, since you raise a 500lb weight 8-10' in the air.

If you want to drive a lot of T posts or metal posts, I'd think about #2, which are widely used by utilities and professional fence companies.

I'll try to get photos of the PT driver next time we are out driving posts.

All the best,

Peter

Look for those types of attachments for the mini-skidsteers like Toro Dingos -- they'd be easy to adapt and their GPH requirements are similar to the PT 422 and 425.

I'd caution that everyone that I've talked to who's used a hydraulic breaker/hammer say that they beat the machine to death if you use them very much... regardless of what type machine it is.