Thoughts on this grapple from a local dealer?

[Threepoint]

I would be concerned that the hydraulic fittings on the cylinder are exposed. Crunch down on a stump that sticks through the tines and you've got hydraulic fluid squirting everywhere.

Hadn't thought about that. I don't have enough experience with grapples to know if that is a common problem. I notice the Tomahawk has sheet metal shrouds over the cylinders and the fittings. Can't tell from the pics whether they extend underneath as well.

 

[Stanley B]

I just have a little BX25D......but I love my grapple.....it's very useful........

Kubota BX25 cleaning up trees with my grapple claw - YouTube

 

[Stanley B]

I just have a little BX25D......but I love my grapple.....it's very useful........

Kubota BX25 cleaning up trees with my grapple claw - YouTube

 

[KubotaToy]

Hadn't thought about that. I don't have enough experience with grapples to know if that is a common problem. I notice the Tomahawk has sheet metal shrouds over the cylinders and the fittings. Can't tell from the pics whether they extend underneath as well.

I would be worried about stuff pushing up as you close the arms and hitting a fitting. Since that is a good price, you may want to have someone weld plates to the bottom of the arms if you get one. I own two grapples, a 62" and a 72", I like the 62" best and use it the most on my L45 TLB. The 72" eats too much lift capacity and the extra width is not needed for 95% of the jobs grapples are used.

You may never need the shielding around the cylinders but my experience made me happy I purchased a grapple with shielded cylinders. On double cylinders grapples, one side almost always clamps down before the other starts to move, as I was picking up several 6-12" logs in a pile, one rolled down on top of the of the closed side and as the open side clamped down on the log, it smashed the guard on the the other side. Did not hurt the cylinder but the guard was toast. Called the vendor and they sent me one for the cost of shipping. I purchased my 72" from these guys...Skid Steer Root Grapple but picked up the 62" at a auction for a good price after I bought the 72".

BTW- see my picture, lots of folks have tweaked their QA on their loaders when a QA latch gets hit by brush and opens on one side with out being noticed until it is too late.

 

[FTG-05]

Ok, so I went by my local dealer today. Off the top of their head (they were late opening today due to a death in the family), they quoted "about a $1000 for the kit plus installation". No idea on installation costs since the service manager's grandfather being the deceased....

So given the link above for a $419 kit from National Implement (which is a Construction Attachments kit) I asked about my buying the kit and they do the install (see Post #10 for the links). Didn't have an answer due to the service manager out for family reasons.

Link to $419 kit less hoses (posted above, same as the Construction Attachments kits): Construction Attachments Dedicated Third Function Hydraulic Valve Kit, Less Hoses, Up To 14 GPM

The guy I talked to (same guy I bought my ZD326 from a year or so ago) described the exact same installation as the Construction Attachments video posted above, so they obviously have done this before. I would explicitley trust them with the installation, but $1K just for kit sounds a little extreme.

Bottom line: are hoses worth +$500 to complete this kit and how much do you think installation should cost?

Thanks,

 

[FTG-05]

And concerning weight of the grapple vs FEL lifting weight, the guy at the dealer made the same comment: usually they install these 3rd functions on heavier, more powerful tractors due to the grapple taking so much of the FEL lifting weight capability.

So, comments on getting this 60"/500 lbs grapple vs. the 72"/600 lb? Same price for the grapple either way ($1000) and of course the 3rd function cost would be the same. 100 lbs worth it???

6" Dual Cylinder Root Grapple — Skid Steer Attachment Depot

 

[k0ua]

And concerning weight of the grapple vs FEL lifting weight, the guy at the dealer made the same comment: usually they install these 3rd functions on heavier, more powerful tractors due to the grapple taking so much of the FEL lifting weight capability.

So, comments on getting this 60"/500 lbs grapple vs. the 72"/600 lb? Same price for the grapple either way ($1000) and of course the 3rd function cost would be the same. 100 lbs worth it???

6" Dual Cylinder Root Grapple Skid Steer Attachment Depot

If it was me I would get the 60 inch. I have a 50 inch and have not wanted for more width. I have wanted less width several times. I have seen lots of arguments here about widths. Everyone has their ideas. Also their own uses and needs.

On my grapple install, I used an existing rear remote, so I had about $150 in the complete install. The remote on the Kioti is very handy near the main joystick, so I don't feel I have lost a thing.. But if I did not have a handy to operate remote I would be looking at a diverter setup. But that is my preference. Others will differ and say the only way to go is 3rd function. I have never felt hampered by operating another lever next to my loader joystick. But maybe your work would differ.

 

[LD1]

I'd still go diverter route.

If you piece together a kit yourself.....

A diverter can be had for as little as $130 or up to a few hundred.

After that, you need two pair of couplings. For standard ag couplers, two pair would run you $30, flat face skid loader style...maybe double that.

After that, it's just hoses and fittings, can't imagine you'd have more thann $100 in hoses and fittings for a diverter. Then all you need is a push button and switch.

And make a bracket to mount the couplers.

All said and done, you can be ready to hook and go for $350 ballpark if you want.

 

[FTG-05]

Talked to the local tractor shop today.

One way or another, I'm going to get the Construction Attachments 3rd Function one touch kit, either by myself ordering it direct from Idaho Implements (aka National Implements as linked above in post #10) or the farm store gets it direct from Construction Attachments. $420 plus the cost of hoses and fittings (which they have) plus installation. The guy doing the work owns the property next to me and has worked at the store for decades.

A whole lot better than "$1000 for the kit plus installation".

I like the idea of one handed operation with the 3rd function vs. a second joystick.

Looking at the weight of my bucket, it looks like it weighs around 350 lbs. So with a 60" grapple, I'd lose 150 lbs; with the 72" grapple, I'd lose 250 lbs capacity. Still haven't decided on this, but SSAD has them both in stock and could eventually make the decision literally when I decide to get the grapple. Thoughts?

Thanks,

 

[LD1]

I haven't got a grapple yet so I cannot comment on width.

I think national also has diverter kits. For me, being able to feather the speed of the lids closing is more important than being able to do all 3 functions at once.