Texas Grapple Shootout

[pacerron]

It appears that as long as there is no cross bar, in front of the crossover point of the lid, sticking brush would fall out easy or could be dislodged by back dragging.

Xfaxman, I like the way each of you tines has a matching lid tine.

A grapple like yours, about 50-54" with the tines 6-7" apart, a full lid with matching tines, and opening at least 45" or more - that would be my ideal grapple.

Sounds like your about ready to give blueriver a call. He does good work.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

It appears that as long as there is no cross bar, in front of the crossover point of the lid, sticking brush would fall out easy or could be dislodged by back dragging.

Xfaxman, I like the way each of you tines has a matching lid tine.

A grapple like yours, about 50-54" with the tines 6-7" apart, a full lid with matching tines, and opening at least 45" or more - that would be my ideal grapple.

I have wondered whether the serrated tips on the lower tines of the EA Wicked Root Grapple would cause roots and small branches to be hard to dislodge from the grapple.

I can see how Xfaxman's doesn't have that problem. I sure wish I could find a lighter version of his grapple. It looks almost perfect, but is way too heavy for most CUTs. If I remember correctly, I think his tines are 1" thick.

 

[txdon]

Sounds like your about ready to give blueriver a call. He does good work.

Blueriver makes custom grapples? Tell me more, you got my attention.

 

[pacerron]

Blueriver makes custom grapples? Tell me more, you got my attention.

I don't know if he does or not but you might discuss it with him.
He has a thread showing his construction of the multiple bale hay collectors he sells.

 

[Xfaxman]

I have wondered whether the serrated tips on the lower tines of the EA Wicked Root Grapple would cause roots and small branches to be hard to dislodge from the grapple.

I can see how Xfaxman's doesn't have that problem. I sure wish I could find a lighter version of his grapple. It looks almost perfect, but is way too heavy for most CUTs. If I remember correctly, I think his tines are 1" thick.

Yep, 1" thick and the frame that is tubing on most grapples, is solid bar on this one.

44" wide, weighs 946 pounds.

6 Tine Gorilla Grapple - attachments for skid steer loaders, small compact construction equipment - Sidney Manufacturing

Here is a guy that will build what ever you want.

www.TheRakeShop.com / Root Rakes Grapples Attachments & Skid Steers

 

[Ken45101]

Thanks for the comparison. I think if I had it to do over again, I would go with the rake type. I have the bucket style and it's somewhat difficult to pick stuff up, especially bigger logs because the front of the tines are upturned and it has to be tilted so far forward. Very difficult to pick up multiple logs.

Of course, if I had the rake style, I would probably find problems with it too.

 

[bindian]

IMHO tooth design has more impact on digging ability than any other aspect. I went with a wider spade style with lots of horizontal "cutting edges" because most of the roots in my neck of the woods grow up and down.

I can sink the teeth up to the cross bar and dig up to 10 to 12" deep, but seems to work best 4-8" down with the cutting edges more perpendicular to the roots. In my wet clay soil if you're not careful you can move a lot of dirt! Dirt does build up on the spade style teeth and requires quite a bit of "grunt" to run effectively but it does a great job. Here's a picture of the grapple and one showing how the dirt builds up on the crossbar.

View attachment 348999

View attachment 349000

It is a dual lid rake style and this is what it looked like new.

View attachment 349001

A single "lid" was why I shied away from a root rake style grapple and went with the bucket style. I wanted two independent arms. I like yours. What make is it? Do you have a link?
hugs , Brandi

 

[sd455dan]

That would be a construction grapple, not designed for digging anything. I have heard of folks using fork lift forks on a FEL to pop out roots. Guess that's why I have heard of bent and broken forks too. The right tool for the right job saves wear and tear on tools and equipment.
hugs, Brandi

I have never heard of digging hay? ( the first main use described by the post i answered) but did say I didn't know how it would work for Yapons i have picked up 1000lbs. + round bales with my tined grapple and trees and stumps, and it is very effective at going thru and picking up debri or slash piles (Logging) We also have a tie-barred grapple with slightly longer lower tines Some what similar to the one Deerherd posted on the families Bobcat S series tracked skid steer and yes it would be better for ground clean up behind a dozer

There is one more advantage to most round tine grapples -If a tine should get (bent or broken) you simply remove a bolt and replace the tine, although I guess I haven't worked mine hard enough yet to require replacement...

like most have said any grapple- is better than no grapple.
I hope all that are searching for a new grapple get the one that does everything they need it to do...

 

[Deerherd]

A single "lid" was why I shied away from a root rake style grapple and went with the bucket style. I wanted two independent arms. I like yours. What make is it? Do you have a link?
hugs , Brandi

Here's a link: W.R. Long Root Rake Brush Grapple

Here's the manufacturer's site: RBG

 

[bindian]

Here's a link: W.R. Long Root Rake Brush Grapple

Here's the manufacturer's site: RBG

Thanks Dave. But OUCH. A 72 inch one costs more than double the cost over mine from palletforks.com.
hugs, Brandi

 

[foreman Etexas]

Its hay left over from where I feed all year and what doesn't get burned off,I usually use bucket and have to pitch fork it in to bucket. I feed about 130/160 round bales so you can figure what the waste is. Something is always washed out or bare ground,so I fix it then put the old hay over the area until grass grows back,sometimes Till it under.. And the other working with my dozer to get stuff to piles,instead of having to roll it all the way to the pile tto keep dirt out with dozer and if miss a yaupon here and there just get it up with grapple.
I looked at the one grapple but brandi made good point could dig to deep not having the bars. There may just not be a one grapple that will do everything I'm thinking and not cost me an arm and leg like some of those prices I seen..

 

[sd455dan]

foreman Etexas


We have horses and it comes in very handy for picking up a old hay or bales, but really shines when cleaning stalls- any grapple with tied tines will push the old hay and manure up like a really thick piece of carpet- and then has to be pulled away from the wall usually by hand with a Pitch fork and hand loaded in the bucket just as you described...

the tined grapples will penetrate in without rolling the old hay and then the grapple can be closed and the stall cleaned right up to the walls this whole thing about digging is more about setting the FEL controls correctly, but I have dug out some tree stumps with mine although I am sure that it was not the intent of the designer.


If the main use for You is moving hay- new or old, then a round tine bucket / grapple is hard to beat as it mimics the function of a pitch fork with the ability to clamp the material with a lid.

But is not the hot set up for grubbing...
Melecio builds strong stuff- but there are more affordable grapple builders out there that might cover your needs at a more feasible price...
I got mine used (and don't know who built it) and had to convert the mounts-
A good used unit may be the best choice...
Good Luck and I hope you find a grapple that suits your needs

 

[TomSeller]

Thanks Dave. But OUCH. A 72 inch one costs more than double the cost over mine from palletforks.com.
hugs, Brandi

Right. It is hard to beat the value of the PalletForks.com Titan grapples. I even see Titan grapples on Amazon and EBay now.

 

[bindian]

Right. It is hard to beat the value of the PalletForks.com Titan grapples. I even see Titan grapples on Amazon and EBay now.

...........and palletforks.com has free shipping to a nearby commercial address.
hugs, Brandi

 

[blueriver]

If you get me a set of plans ... I'll build one.

 

[pacerron]

If you get me a set of plans ... I'll build one.

There ya go TxDon..
It never hurts to ask.
Some/all of the features you wanted could be incorporated by having it custom made by blueriver.
You might get the normal closure plus the pinch beyond closure by having a bracket with holes at different points for one
end of the lid cylinders. A bolt on bar for the dig depth control.

I was wondering about your bucket mount. Is it the Kubota pins or a universal skid steer quick mount?
I recall somebody on a Deere FEL having to modify the locking pins for some attachment. It may have been blueriver?
The forces on the locking devices may be a little different for a grapple than a bucket or pallet lift attachment.
The machine is only as strong as its weakest link.
Ron

 

[blueriver]

Ron .. I did make a conversion for my Deere FEL .. Uses the JD hook and pin that converts to SSQA.. It sure is handy I can use JD or SSQA by simply putting it on the Deere then hook to anything that uses skid steer.

Don.. Just rough draw your idea on paper .. Scan and send to me ...

 

[bandaidmd]

Everthing Attachments builds there 50" single lid with the deere pin on mounts.
I have the ssqa version its light and seems pretty tough.

 

[blueriver]

Everthing Attachments builds there 50" single lid with the deere pin on mounts. I have the ssqa version its light and seems pretty tough.

I build a few of my hay accumulators and grapples with the JD hook and pin when a customer wants that ... There are so many SSQA attachments that I can use on my FEL that I decided I needed a simple conversion so I'm not limited

 

[blueriver]

Ron .. So true about the weakest point ... So far I haven't been able to tear my conversion apart ... I've used my pallet forks which are SSQA to lift some pretty heavy stuff ... I recall the rear end of the tractor coming off the ground !! That's a high quality "pucker" factor!!