Texas Grapple Shootout

[txdon]

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 ...

I'll try to get something together the next few days and see if it makes practical sense to you. I appreciate your input and experience.

 

[ronjhall]

Forgot all about uploading my photos at the Grapple Shootout. I did take some videos, but they did not come out good enough to show how the Grapples worked.

I did take a couple of videos. But they did not show much because of the thick brush.
My opinion is either unit will work. But prefer the one on the Kioti.

 

[blueriver]

What was it that made u prefer that one?

 

[Deerherd]

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

I paid $3600 for mine from my local dealer, but it was the only one that had the features I wanted. I have owned two of the flat bottomed types and much prefer the rake style.

It's the only one I could find that had the spade style lower tines, replaceable teeth, dual lids and a very large (70") jaw spread. It's much easier for me to pick up single logs and works great around my fields. I looked at the Pallet forks brand root rake style and it didn't have the features I wanted and has a lower jaw that is way too flat to carry much brush.

I have literally miles of hedgerows that I need to keep clean and I can go along with a chain saw and drop trees/limbs into the field then go along and clean up with the grapple. With my rake style I can push the trees/limbs ahead of me and get three or four at a time. This wasn't possible with my old flat bottomed grapple.



Also I needed a grapple that would really dig out roots and this one works great. It's much better than my last two grapples but to be fair, it's also on a much larger tractor.

For me, it was worth the extra cash and it does save me a lot of time, but yes it is pricey!

 

[ronjhall]

What was it that made u prefer that one?

It got the tractor in closer to what I was trying to dig out. Opened wider. Would fit the type of work that I would do around my place. Both worked OK and with some practice would get the job done.

 

[TomSeller]

. I looked at the Pallet forks brand root rake style and it didn't have the features I wanted and has a lower jaw that is way too flat to carry much brush.
!

You are right about the PalletForks Rake grapple. I have one and it does not grip a load well. It works well for grubbing, but not for lifting debris. I have had mine for a long time, and I would get a Rake with longer lower tines like you have if I did it over again.

 

[txdon]

For a good grip it does seem like the upper and lower tines should overlap like this one. Both grapples we worked with did not overlap and the yaupon not sufficiently loosened slid out of the grapple grasp.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...d1199576830-anbo-grapple-rake-grapple-025.jpg

 

[TomSeller]

This is Titan's Rake. Not enough lower tine to grip with. Titan sells through various channels, most notably PalletForks.com.

 

[pacerron]

For a good grip it does seem like the upper and lower tines should overlap like this one. Both grapples we worked with did not overlap and the yaupon not sufficiently loosened slid out of the grapple grasp.
]

Are you planning to apply a herbicide to the remaining root tops immediately after pulling the yaupon tops?

http://repositories.tdl.org/ttu-ir/bitstream/handle/2346/17093/31295019526226.pdf?sequence=1

We have a multi-flora rose problem in the North. Cutting/pulling it slows it down a bit but without herbicide treatment as well it comes right back
the next year.

 

[txdon]

Ron, the yaupon do not grow back neither do the cedars. The mesquite out here will unless you get the tap root. This grapple is not for digging mesquite, thats what a back hole and herbicides are for. (or a hired dozer with a root plow) The mesquite grows thick in the blackland and clays the yaupon and cedars mostly in the sandy areas. I have 1/3 blackland clay and 2/3 sand.

during the drought the last two years thousands of yaupons and trees died, but thousands are still alive and the area needs cleaning up a bit.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Ron, the yaupon do not grow back neither do the cedars. The mesquite out here will unless you get the tap root. This grapple is not for digging mesquite, thats what a back hole and herbicides are for. (or a hired dozer with a root plow) The mesquite grows thick in the blackland and clays the yaupon and cedars mostly in the sandy areas. I have 1/3 blackland clay and 2/3 sand. during the drought the last two years thousands of yaupons and trees died, but thousands are still alive and the area needs cleaning up a bit.

TXDON;

In Colorado County we have lost lots of post oaks but, have seen absolutely no loss of Yaupon? I have dug tons of Yaupon up, with grapple, to add to burn piles. The PIA Yaupon on is ones around base of trees. The only success we have with them is to cut off just above ground and treat stumps with Bonide cut vine and stump killer. After about a year the stumps rot, break off at ground level, and don't come back.

Rick

 

[txdon]

Rick, it was the older yaupons that took the drought hit here. The ones 6"+ in diameter.

 

[pacerron]

TXDON;

In Colorado County we have lost lots of post oaks but, have seen absolutely no loss of Yaupon? I have dug tons of Yaupon up, with grapple, to add to burn piles. The PIA Yaupon on is ones around base of trees. The only success we have with them is to cut off just above ground and treat stumps with Bonide cut vine and stump killer. After about a year the stumps rot, break off at ground level, and don't come back.

Rick

This article says cut off 6-12" above the ground in March and spray the cut tops with diesel oil to get a 92% kill rate or use herbicide in combination
in June.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_w7000_0010p_color.pdf

 

[txdon]

This article says cut off 6-12" above the ground in March and spray the cut tops with diesel oil to get a 92% kill rate or use herbicide in combination
in June.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_w7000_0010p_color.pdf

We are trying to stay organic, however I am getting a little overwhelmed with the mesquite.

 

[pacerron]

We are trying to stay organic, however I am getting a little overwhelmed with the mesquite.

Use organic diesel. Alternative Energy Solutions - organic diesel

 

[blueriver]

I like the Faver and the Anbo grapples

 

[txdon]

I like the Faver and the Anbo grapples

Now you are exactly where I'm at. Each has excellent features but a combo of their best features would be the ultimate grapple.

 

[pacerron]

Now you are exactly where I'm at. Each has excellent features but a combo of their best features would be the ultimate grapple.

Do you have the standard LA853 loader arms and standard size rims and tires?

 

[Xfaxman]

Now you are exactly where I'm at. Each has excellent features but a combo of their best features would be the ultimate grapple.

The ultimate grapple would have to have the lid pivot moved up like the Monster Grapple, to get a bigger opening.


6' wide on my Toolcat

 

[jimmysisson]

I don't want to lift 80 lb. logs any more, but my Millonzi grapple won't close over them tight. Sure wish there was a simple way to get large capacity and still have good-sized lower tongs with a lid that holds smaller stuff but opens wide.
Jim