Utility grapple vs grapple bucket

[MossRoad]

Here's a video of my grapple bucket showing the amount of brush you can easily grab and move. IMO, it will "grapple" as much as most people will need, most of the time...

YouTube - Power Trac Grapple Bucket

That video about says it all! :thumbsup:

They did not offer a grapple bucket when I bought mine or I would have gotten that instead of the small rock bucket (which I rarely use, but like it when I need it).

 

[SpringHollow]

A grapple bucket instead of a rock bucket is a pretty easy decision for most circumstances. The wide utility grapple looks like you could grab quite a bit with it but it is hard to tell how easily it will bend.

Ken

 

[IslandTractor]

That video about says it all! :thumbsup:.

Nah, this is how much a real grapple can pick up.

Actually seeing the PT grapple bucket in action I agree it will do a fine job. Given the 800lb lift capacity of the 425 there is not much benefit to getting much more into it than the video shows. For the bigger PTs a regular grapple might be an advantage though.

 

[MossRoad]

Nah, this is how much a real grapple can pick up.

Actually seeing the PT grapple bucket in action I agree it will do a fine job. Given the 800lb lift capacity of the 425 there is not much benefit to getting much more into it than the video shows. For the bigger PTs a regular grapple might be an advantage though.

If I did that with my PT425, I would look like this! :laughing:

 

[IslandTractor]

If I did that with my PT425, I would look like this! :laughing:

Yeah, though I'd love the quick attach and front mowing of the PT there are a few benefits to having a heavy implement hanging off the rear of a tractor too.

I'd like one of each please.

 

[BobRip]

That video about says it all! :thumbsup:

They did not offer a grapple bucket when I bought mine or I would have gotten that instead of the small rock bucket (which I rarely use, but like it when I need it).

Actually the video understates how much material the grapple bucket will pick up. Between it and the 4 in 1 you can do a lot of task.

 

[Gravy]

Here's my *ahem* expert opinion. I seem to be the only one here who actually has one of the utility grapples, so that makes me the expert, right?

I already had the 4 in 1 and a homemade light materials bucket, so I didn't really consider the grapple bucket. I figured a pure grapple would make more sense for me.

I have the 29" grapple. I couldn't see getting the 45" version - it weighs more but doesn't seem to have any advantages for my uses. I mostly use it to deal with logs and rocks. Maybe if I was moving mass quantities of loose brush the 45" would be somewhat better, but a 60" or 72" would be much better for that purpose because it might keep trailing bits out from under the wheels.

Anyway, I love the grapple despite some disappointments. My two major complaints are that it doesn't close tightly enough, and the teeth bend more easily than I would like. Both of those are a result of the basic design of bending it out of plate. A design more like JJ's grapple would allow the upper and lower tines to pass by each other and close down more tightly. That design would also have stiffer teeth.

However, the bent plate design is much simpler/less expensive to manufacture and it also keeps the weight reasonable. More conventionally designed grapples in the same size range generally seem to weigh quite a bit more.

I've bent the teeth when I'm pushing the limits prying out big rocks or lifting tree trunks by the ends. They straighten out pretty well with the application of a 16lb micrometer.

 

[SpringHollow]

I see you are reserving the 12 lb micrometer for delicate operations.

 

[Gravy]

Gotta have something to drive tacks with, y'know!

 

[Gravy]

Might I suggest you look at Loader Buddy and consider this before getting a more complicated attachment.

Can we get some eggs to go with that SPAM?