Thumb VS grapple observations

[Billy Bee]

I have a NH TC33 with a 5 ft. bucket, bolt on toothbar, and The Thumb, my son has an LS XR 4155 with a 6 ft. single lid grapple. I see advantages and disadvantages to each. The thumb will grab sizable piles of brush, but not as much as the grapple. You can see what you are doing better with the grapple, bucket blocks your view. For pinching and holding on to logs and rocks, I much prefer the bucket and thumb combo. When the grapple is closed there is a sizable "O" in the middle which allows smaller logs and things to flop around in there. We cut firewood over the trailer and when we use the grapple, smaller logs will move as you cut, with the thumb they stay put. I know they make log grapples that will pinch the logs securely, but I am just comparing these two. I also like the fact that I can still dig and move dirt without changing implements. I don't have SSQA so that would be a PITA.
For my uses I like the bucket,toothbar, thumb setup better than the grapple, and costs half as much. It does everything his grapple does, and more, except he can lift more with his bigger tractor.
Just my observations after using both units. YMMV
Bill

 

[shooterdon]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am thinking about adding a grapple attachment for my new LS. One of the things making my choice difficult is all the different styles of grapples that are availalbe.

Even looked at adding a grapple attachment to a set of pallet forks. To get double duty from the forks and save some money.

Like you, I will be processing firewood and also moving brush. Maybe 5-10 cords per year.

One thing about getting opinons is we need to factor in useage and time. There are people here who process a lot of wood and/or move a lot of brush. They can justify dedicated equipment. For hte hobby owner, if they have more time than money, a less optimal solution can often be adaquate. And beign retired, I more time than money.

I have been looking at the MTL grapple. It seems like they get good reviews from users and are half the price of the "better" units. Somewhere between adding a thumb to pallet forks and a "better" grapple.

 

[nybirdman]

I have a "thumb+tooth-bar",doesn't open as wide as a full grapple but I find it very useful for my needs.Less money and the thumb can easily be removed(4 bolts) if I need to move a lot of dirt/rock.

 

[ovrszd]

I built my double lid Grapple onto a Bobcat LoPro (long apron) bucket. Best of both Worlds. I rarely use my standard bucket.