WHICH ROOT RAKE/GRAPPLE ?

[4570Man]

I had a Titan grapple before on my L3240. The whole thing was junk but the pivot were just bolts on a plasma or laser cut hole with no grease fittings. I used that grapple a bunch and wear wasn’t an issue. You said in another post your tractor use was 10-15 hours a year and you’re nearly 80 years old. I put nearly 800 hours on my L3240. Of course not all of it was grapple use but a lot was. I don’t think wear is going to be an issue in your case.

 

[fried1765]

A lot of grip with this one: Buckthorn Puller - Custom built Skid Steer attachments to fit almost any need you may have.

View attachment 630725

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Thank you!
I like it!
VERY INTERESTING !!!!
A sure way to get the roots out!

Do you have it?

 

[fried1765]

I had a Titan grapple before on my L3240. The whole thing was junk but the pivot were just bolts on a plasma or laser cut hole with no grease fittings. I used that grapple a bunch and wear wasn’t an issue. You said in another post your tractor use was 10-15 hours a year and you’re nearly 80 years old. I put nearly 800 hours on my L3240. Of course not all of it was grapple use but a lot was. I don’t think wear is going to be an issue in your case.

Thanks for that perspective.
You are probable right!
79+ years of wear on ME is most likely the MAJOR issue here.

 

[4570Man]

So I looked up your eBay grapple and the 2 problems biggest problems I see way ahead of pivot points is the hose routing sucks and there’s nothing to keep the lid from racking sideways. My Titian suffered from the same failure. I bent both lids and tore one cylinder mount off. That piece of crap is the reason I tripled my budget the next go around. If the first thing you did was weld a brace like this it would be better off.

 

[fried1765]

So I looked up your eBay grapple and the 2 problems biggest problems I see way ahead of pivot points is the hose routing sucks and there’s nothing to keep the lid from racking sideways. My Titian suffered from the same failure. I bent both lids and tore one cylinder mount off. That piece of crap is the reason I tripled my budget the next go around. If the first thing you did was weld a brace like this it would be better off. View attachment 630731View attachment 630733

Good info!
Thank you.
Those angle braces make complete sense.
If I buy that thing I will definitely do the angle braces before using.
I hadn't noticed the hose routing, but that does look to be an issue also.
For fun, I just might take a trip up to Denton, NC. to see how it is made, and if they will build to my requirements.

 

[goeduck]

As far as ripping out brush with a grapple, it all depends on the roots, strength of the vines and the quantity of the vines. Our Himalayan blackberry is nasty but has physically weak roots (other than they grow back like you would not believe). I have another type of Bush (do not know what it is) that I have to drive as fast as I can into the thicket with my grapple just above the ground and break as much off before I come to a stop. 10,000 lb machine. There is no way I can uproot it with my 2500 lbs of lift, just too many strong vines rooted well. After breaking it off I mow every year and am trying to outlast it.

 

[fried1765]

As far as ripping out brush with a grapple, it all depends on the roots, strength of the vines and the quantity of the vines. Our Himalayan blackberry is nasty but has physically weak roots (other than they grow back like you would not believe). I have another type of Bush (do not know what it is) that I have to drive as fast as I can into the thicket with my grapple just above the ground and break as much off before I come to a stop. 10,000 lb machine. There is no way I can uproot it with my 2500 lbs of lift, just too many strong vines rooted well. After breaking it off I mow every year and am trying to outlast it.

Bittersweet vines are quite resistant to breaking, and have long close to the surface roots.
I do think I can pull them, but obviously, some will break off, and some will slip through.
I am reasonably certain that my 2450 lbs. of lift can pull a group of a few vines with each bite.

The Buckthorn Puller would do the job for sure, but at one thin vine per pull it would take forever.
It would be difficult with the holly too, as their branches restrict viewing under the trees.

There seems to be no lasting way to eliminate all bittersweet, short of spraying, which would then kill the host trees.
Even after spraying, bittersweet sometimes makes a successful comeback.
Horrible stuff!!

 

[lman]

I use glyphosate, it will not harm the larger trees as long as you don't spray the foliage.

 

[fried1765]

I use glyphosate, it will not harm the larger trees as long as you don't spray the foliage.

And .....how would I not spray the foliage on full skirt English holly trees?

 

[lman]