Very cool grapple attachment right in my back yard

[pequeajim]

The more I explore the capabilities of my 425, the more I want to do with it. Living in New Holland, PA affords me the luxury of having many manufacturers and welding shops in the area with farm machinery experience.

Much to my suprise and delight, I found this ad on TBN and gave their sales guy a call this morning.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/ati/index.htm

They sell a heavy duty grapple for compact tractors and skid steers 48"-60" buckets, bolts on and goes for less than $700 list!

Some guys would rather build their own which is great, but I have none of the resources, (like a welder), to do such a thing, and would rather work a few hours overtime to pay for it.

For me, it's a good solution...

Now I need to contact a few local dealers to see what their selling price would be.

Jim! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bubenberg]

I am then in your backyard also. My job is "test pilots" for that company's new product line, the linear aerator, which is coming out soon. Together with John Bentley from MDS & Earth and Turf. colocated with ABC Groff Earth and Turf.com Topdressers ATI built a linear aerator which's main purpose is to soften the ground of athletic and sports fields. The goal of this linear aerator will be to add organic matter, organic nutrition and aid to soften the ground as to prevent or at least reduce injuries to the human and equine species. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

Interesting alternative!!

Based upon the site pictures, however, the PT Grapple Bucket, although perhaps more expensive, seems to have some important advantages.
The PT Grapple was designed specifically for the PT. It is incredibly strong and powerful. It includes the HD Bucket and Rock Teeth. The Rock Teeth really help the Grapple do its job better. The PT Grapple is full width.

The 4 in 1 Bucket also can do some grapple jobs, but not nearly as well, if you are talking about real woods work!!

Although we all like to save money if we can, don't let the price be the primary factor in your decision! For an occasional minor grapple job, the ATI may be adequate, but for major HD real grapple work in the woods, I think that you may be happier with the PT!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[pequeajim]

It's amazing how many people I have met that have some association, (I know that guy, or he lives near me) with me because they are a Power Trac owner or user!

I bought my first JD-455 from ABC Groff. In fact, theya re only 3 miles from my house. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I am very new to the tractor thing, but am learning more every day and having a blast!

I spoke with Ray at ATI and will be going over there to see their grapple. I wonder if my light material bucket will have that strength to mount this thing on it?

 

[bmac]

Jim,

I can't address the quality of the ATI grapple. However, when I ordered my NH TC29D, I had my dealer delete the NH FEL bucket and bought the ATI bucket with the Quick-Tach instead. I am very happy with the quality / ruggedness of this bucket and their Quick-Tach system. It is based upon the skidsteer standard and has worked very well. In fact, the bucket came pre-drilled for the grapple attachment should I ever decide to add that attachment. I can also attest to the friendliness / helpfulnes of the gentleman (can't remember his name) who answered all of my questions as I was making this purchasing decision. Of course, I had to buy it through my dealer (who had never dealt with ATI before this) and he was also very impressed with this company and thier product.

I look forward to reading your post after you evaluate this product.

 

[bubenberg]

By the time you buy the grapple from ATI and add the short teeth i don't think you are going to save much, because now you need to replace the light material bucket. Unless you have the time to take the teeth on and off all the time.

I know ATI shows the grapple design without bucket teeth, it depends for what purpose you are buying the grapple. in agricultural, landscaping, tree work and trash removal the bottom teeth come in very handy.

ATIs quality is very good, the retail price is in the 600-800 dollar range and i was under the impression that the smallest one is for a 60" bucket.

Personally i rate the grapple attachment second most useful to the forks.

 

[pequeajim]

I already have a tooth bar that fits my light material bucket so adding the expense of an add on grapple for my bucket is less than going out and spending $1300 on the PT bucket.

I'm not diminishing the PT grapple, but I would think the 48" bucket with teeth and a grapple would be just as effective as the smaller PT grapple bucket?

Plus my tooth bar is much heavier duty than the bolt on PT teeth. No knocking that setup, I just like what I have.

Jim!

 

[MossRoad]

I'd be a little concerned with the hydraulic pressure the grapple will exert on the lip of the light material bucket when clamping down on stuff. I once did a large project at a little league park where I moved about 30 tons of granulated limestone with the large bucket. I took heaping loads every time and hauled them a couple hundred yards each trip. This was the max load the PT would handle, because it was all puckered out. By that, I mean that if I drove forward, I would tip down on the bucket if I hit the slightest bump. I hauled all the loads backwards and skidded the bucket like wheely bars. By the time I was done, I could see where the floor of the large bucket had bent to conform around the bracing that goes underneath it. Not much, but I could definately see it. Two big lines about 4 inches wide from the back to the front. So, I really think that if you put a grapple on the light material bucket, then start squeezing logs and stuff between the grapple teeth and the teeth on the bucket tooth bar, you will start bending things. If you are just moving brush around and using the grapple to hold it in, you may get away with it just fine.

 

[pequeajim]

You and Fourteen make good points.

I would think of using the 4 in 1, but my tooth bar is setup for 48". It's a pretty good one too, nice and heavy duty.

I will stop over to talk to the guys and see what they have. I would almost rather spend the money on a dedicated grapple rake that would pick up logs rather than another bucket. I already have two of them, LM bucket and 4 in 1.

Most of what I will do is brush, but when we get up into Maine over the next year or two, we will start cutting trees and then I can vision something like what Fourteen is doing.

I'll let you guys know what I find out. Maybe take a couple of pictures. We all LOVE pictures! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[stray]

Go with it Jim. I think it well work ok. You should see the oil tank I am going to make a light material bucket out of. It will be quite large but it will work for what I want to do. There is a disadvantage in having a larger bucket in the woods though. You will find that it is harder to get around and through standing trees.