The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

[EverythingAttachments]

I hesitate to re-open the discussion about grapple width but the previous discussion has produced more heat than light. I'm about to order a Wicked root grapple for my Branson 3725. It'll be dual lid. Uses will be to pull up and transport brush (poison oak and coyotebrush), and move logs and rounds. I may do some raking of forest debris but not much as our land's too steep. The weight difference between the widths is in the tens of pounds so that's not a factor. It seems like a wider grapple would be able to grab more brush and rounds than a narrower one. For logs I think width won't matter much. I'm mostly considering the 60" and 66" models. My bucket's 67" across the inside so I'm already used to that width. The 66" has the lids farther apart than the smaller models, what practical difference does that make?

I do not have a really strong argument for one vs. the other, so I always leave it up to the customer in the end. BUT, I'll offer some insight since you asked.
For tasks listed, I like the 60" for maneuverability in the woods. Also, if you want to push up roots, rocks or anything else embedded in the soil, you'll be able to push the smaller one easier because it has less tines.
Travis

The 60" will grab just as much brush as a larger one. This is actually a 60" single on snowback's 2538 Mahindra, but who could tell? :laughing:

Large logs will not be an issue either. This is a 60" Dual Lid on a Kioti NX5510.

Oh, a couple of pics for comparison....because aren't pics great?

60" Dual Lid on a Kubota L4060

66" Dual Lid on a Kubota L3240

 

[IslandTractor]

The 55 or 60 will be easier to maneuver and for brush and logs a single lid will do the same job but will cost and weigh less.

 

[Piston]

As far as brush goes, you won't see a difference in capability. The biggest advantage of a wider width is when picking up loose item like firewood, rounds, small stumps etc. Items like that. For brush, it won't matter.

 

[Piston]

Pushing over a few trees is no big deal. Clearing land is about the hardest thing you can do to equipment and a tractor isn't up to the task.

Totally agree with all but the last few words of this quote. ("A tractor isn't up to the task")

Just so other people who haven't tried it don't get swayed away from their decision to try it, a tractor is DEFINITELY up to the task of land clearing.

It's just not the best tool for the job, and a lot more delicacy is required. Is a skidsteer, excavator, or dozer better? Yes.
Is a tractor up to the task? Yes.

 

[Mad Mac]

The key words I heard were "pull up". More often than not, the corners of a grapple are used to get under and uproot stubborn brush and saplings. Used thusly, a wide grapple will twist the front end loader and even lift the opposite rear wheel off the ground on occasion. For tough uprooting, narrower will be more effective and easier on the equipment, in my opinion.

We have a 72-inch single lid which has performed valiantly on our 55 horse Mahindra. But if I had it to do over again, I would go no wider than the FEL. No matter what size you get however, you will be delighted.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

The key words I heard were "pull up". More often than not, the corners of a grapple are used to get under and uproot stubborn brush and saplings. Used thusly, a wide grapple will twist the front end loader and even lift the opposite rear wheel off the ground on occasion. For tough uprooting, narrower will be more effective and easier on the equipment, in my opinion.

A few examples. I'm sure I have more if I really dug(pun). :laughing:
Travis

Exhibit A Kubota M6-141

Exhibit B Kubota M6-141

Exhibit C Kubota M6-141

Exhibit D Kubota L6060(amplified on purpose)

Exhibit E Eric's famous Kioti NX6010.

 

[Tractor Dell]

Finally got to use my new 55" grapple. While not as impressive as what some of you big boys are doing, it helped me move a lot of stumps and brush to my burn pit. Some of the stumps were heavy enough to almost pick up the backend of the tractor, even with the backhoe and wheel weights. I won't complain about doing that all day and not breaking a sweat!

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Finally got to use my new 55" grapple. While not as impressive as what some of you big boys are doing, it helped me move a lot of stumps and brush to my burn pit. Some of the stumps were heavy enough to almost pick up the backend of the tractor, even with the backhoe and wheel weights. I won't complain about doing that all day and not breaking a sweat!

I am as impressed with what the BX23S is accomplishing there as I am with your taste in grapples(that's a LOT)!! :applause:
Travis

 

[Mad Mac]

Which model grapple is this, Ted? It looks like it has wings extending beyond the tines and a brush guard built in. That looks like a good compromise. The wings keep the brush off of the tractor and the tines are only the width of the FEL to keep the work centered. To get the extra width to protect the tractor is one of the main reasons I chose a 72 inch.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Which model grapple is this, Ted? It looks like it has wings extending beyond the tines and a brush guard built in. That looks like a good compromise. The wings keep the brush off of the tractor and the tines are only the width of the FEL to keep the work centered. To get the extra width to protect the tractor is one of the main reasons I chose a 72 inch.

It's our Wicked Utility Grapple for tractors up to 125hp. Ted built the one shown 96" wide for our Kubota M6-141, but, after using it, wouldn't recommend larger than an 84".
TOO wide for most applications, but we'd probably still build one if a customer really wanted it!!
Travis

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Here's some speedy Wicked Grapple action. I think he has it figured out!
Travis

 

[IslandTractor]

Which model grapple is this, Ted? It looks like it has wings extending beyond the tines and a brush guard built in. That looks like a good compromise. The wings keep the brush off of the tractor and the tines are only the width of the FEL to keep the work centered. To get the extra width to protect the tractor is one of the main reasons I chose a 72 inch.

Keep in mind that you don’t need a grapple to be as wide as the tractor body to keep brush away. A smaller grapple acts the same way as the bow of a ship. The wedge pushes brush outside the grapple jaws to the side. Besides, there are relatively few times when you bury a tractor headlong into heavy brush. In my experience an open grapple pushed into heavy brush is pretty full and ready to clamp and back out within 8-10 feet. At those distances the remaining brush is only just coming up to the operator station before you back out.

 

[MAD777]

Here's some speedy Wicked Grapple action. I think he has it figured out!

This guy's day job is obviously brain surgery, what precision!

 

[EverythingAttachments]

This guy's day job is obviously brain surgery, what precision!

No kidding. I don't think it's his first rodeo!
Travis

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Mr. Reynolds purchased a 60" Single Lid Wicked Grapple for hurricane harvey cleanup in TX. When ordering the grapple, he was up in Houston, which is north of the harder hit area where he left his tractor prior to the storm.
The tractor was chained to a huge oak tree where it remained throughout Harvey's wrath. Mr. Reynolds said, even though destruction was all around, the only damage to the tractor was a dent in the hood from a fallen limb. Lucky guy!
Travis

"I managed to get 12+ hours on the grapple. My brush pile by the side of the road is about 12 feet wide, 8 feet tall, and 300 feet long. Not bad for an old guy, a little Mahindra and the Wicked Root Grapple.
Here's a photo of the grapple doing preposterous things:"

 

[Tractor Dell]

Just one more update. Here is a pic of a stump I moved today. It is a giant poplar tree stump. It was the max my BX could do, and that is as high as I could lift it. There were a few other stumps (oak trees) that I could not lift, but I clamped onto them with the grapple and drug and pushed them to where I wanted to. If you are patient, you can pretty much do whatever you want.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Just one more update. Here is a pic of a stump I moved today. It is a giant poplar tree stump. It was the max my BX could do, and that is as high as I could lift it. There were a few other stumps (oak trees) that I could not lift, but I clamped onto them with the grapple and drug and pushed them to where I wanted to. If you are patient, you can pretty much do whatever you want.

I really can't find any words besides an impressive WOW. :shocked:
I mean, this is a Kubota BX23S subcompact tractor we're looking at.
Travis

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Mr. Reynolds purchased a 60" Single Lid Wicked Grapple for hurricane harvey cleanup in TX. When ordering the grapple, he was up in Houston, which is north of the harder hit area where he left his tractor prior to the storm.
The tractor was chained to a huge oak tree where it remained throughout Harvey's wrath. Mr. Reynolds said, even though destruction was all around, the only damage to the tractor was a dent in the hood from a fallen limb. Lucky guy!
Travis

"I managed to get 12+ hours on the grapple. My brush pile by the side of the road is about 12 feet wide, 8 feet tall, and 300 feet long. Not bad for an old guy, a little Mahindra and the Wicked Root Grapple.
Here's a photo of the grapple doing preposterous things:"

View attachment 524470

I received an update over the weekend from Mr. Reynolds concerning his Wicked Hurricane Harvey cleanup! He may like his grapple a little bit.

"The Chief Cook & Bottle-Washer and I agree (which itself is a rare thing) that there is literally NO WAY we could have cleared as much brush as we have without the Wicked Grapple.
I think you need to change the name to The Ridiculous Grapple, since it does things (like carry half-ton trees 100 yards down our driveway like they were toothpicks) that are simply ridiculous to see.
I have been designing oilfield equipment for 35 years (and have 37 US Patents to prove it; you could look it up), so I know good mechanical design and manufacturing methods when I see 'em.
For example, whoever decided to buy that laser cutting table gets a big attaboy from me, 'cause I've done things with the sharp serrations on the grapple tines that shouldn't be possible with a 35 hp tractor.
The Wicked (Ridiculous) Grapple is a winner."

 

[CincyFlyer]

Gee, Ted, will you swap a Wicked Grapple for a Gibson Les Paul guitar? :laughing:

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Gee, Ted, will you swap a Wicked Grapple for a Gibson Les Paul guitar? :laughing:

...but you should keep both so you'll have two sexy beasts! :laughing:
Travis