Utility Grapple

mx1alex · Mar 13, 2015

Anybody have experience with a grapple like this? Guy selling a tractor has this attachment with it and I'm just wondering what the pros and cons are of this style vs most the others I see on here.

HCJtractor · Mar 13, 2015

It appears it would work for moving piles of light debris like limbs and perhaps small logs. But would be insufficient for uprooting trees, or handling bigger stuff. But if could be handy, but I wouldn't pay much for it unless you do lots of limb cleanup

How wide is it? And for what sized tractor? That also is a factor.

mx1alex · Mar 13, 2015

Width is 55" and it would be for a 40hp tractor.

I don't see myself ever really needing to up root trees. Would mainly be using it for limb cleanup from cutting firewood.

The guy is asking $1000. That seem fair?

HCJtractor · Mar 13, 2015

Personally, I wouldn't pay that. I don't like the design or shape of those pointy bottom teeth. I think they would dig into the ground and bend easily. I bought my standard grapple for less than that. Of course that was 5 years ago. But to me, it's a bad design. Check out everything attachments light duty ones. Much better design for probably similar $$$$

mx1alex · Mar 13, 2015

One of the things I liked about it is that it can be used to pic up round bales...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OYz3bg0fog

sd455dan · Mar 13, 2015

HCJtractor said:
Personally, I wouldn't pay that. I don't like the design or shape of those pointy bottom teeth. I think they would dig into the ground and bend easily. I bought my standard grapple for less than that. Of course that was 5 years ago. But to me, it's a bad design. Check out everything attachments light duty ones. Much better design for probably similar $$$$

I think the price sounds a little high also ,

but disagree on the strength of a tined grapple.
Not sure if it is built to the same strength as the one I have (especially since the manufacturer of mine is unknown).

I think the actual non grapple part looks similar, and in the use of mine lifting fairly heavy logs has been more than adequate- like grappling this log from my trailer and then transporting it.

I think that tined grapple could work out well for the op.

Mine has been (possibly) the best attachment I have for my tractor

HCJtractor · Mar 13, 2015

Yes. I agree picking up things should work fine. And bales, certainly. But I use mine mostly either scraping the ground at a slight downward angle, or actually plunging it into the ground to uproot. And I doubt if that design would do that well. And I don't think $1000 is a bargain.
If the ground was flat and clear, like in a pasture, that design would suffice. But still don't like those tines. At least for what I do with mine. If I was going to pay $1000 I'd get something else.

HCJtractor · Mar 13, 2015

One other thought. Does your tractor have the lift capacity to lift both this grapple and a heavy round bale? I don't have experience with these bales but know they're heavy. You tractor probably has 2000 lb capacity ???, and say this grapple weighs 700 lbs (guessing) the math may not work.

mx1alex · Mar 13, 2015

HCJtractor said:
One other thought. Does your tractor have the lift capacity to lift both this grapple and a heavy round bale? I don't have experience with these bales but know they're heavy. You tractor probably has 2000 lb capacity ???, and say this grapple weighs 700 lbs (guessing) the math may not work.

Yeah that will be close. Loader specs out at 2,200 lbs and most bales around don't get over 1,500 lbs.

sd455dan · Mar 13, 2015

HCJtractor said:
Yes. I agree picking up things should work fine. And bales, certainly. But I use mine mostly either scraping the ground at a slight downward angle, or actually plunging it into the ground to uproot. And I doubt if that design would do that well. And I don't think $1000 is a bargain.
If the ground was flat and clear, like in a pasture, that design would suffice. But still don't like those tines. At least for what I do with mine. If I was going to pay $1000 I'd get something else.

I have dug -pulled a few stumps out with mine, and (if) I bend or break a tine they can be easily replaced.. something you Can't do with a standard design...

I did bend one tine (severely) and had to replace it in the years I have had this grapple- but to put it in perspective,
One of our elderly horses died in the middle of winter and I could not break thru the ice with any other attachment.
So I mounted up the tined grapple and broke thru 4 inches of Very frozen ground ( abuse) and then re-installed a standard bucket and dug a hole deep and large enough to bury a full sized horse...
Sure could have used an excavator or backhoe that day.

I do agree that if the main purpose of the grapple is rooting up something -there are better designs out there.

For all around use I can't fault the round tined design.

Maybe Tom Seller can add his opinion since he has and uses several different designs.