Grapple Which type of grapple is best suited for...

[930ck]

Thanks for the quick reply, been looking for a grapple and had even considered a pallet fork grapple but decided that it would be better to get a true brush grapple and a separate set of forks later. Like you I would rather spend less and buy a lighter version, would rather repair the grapple than damage the fel or tractor. The one I am looking at is around $950 .

 

[Dingo Man]

I am in the final hour on a grapple purchase. Has anyone seen the Ranch Rake by M&M Manufacturing. Check them out at . Not sure about prices.

 

[94BULLITT]

I am in the final hour on a grapple purchase. Has anyone seen the Ranch Rake by M&M Manufacturing. Check them out at . Not sure about prices.

I don't like that it has a single lid.

 

[TomSeller]

I am in the final hour on a grapple purchase. Has anyone seen the Ranch Rake by M&M Manufacturing. Check them out at . Not sure about prices.

Weight and size selection look good. Opening dimension is only 36". I didn't see pricing. The larger models seem to be In the SS market.

 

[sd455dan]

I think the curved tines help. They keep roots from sliding off when lifting/curling to break them. Think about how you use your own hand when lifting or pulling on something, you curve your fingers rather than keep them straight. Same idea. I haven't got experience with straight tines but I use the curve in mine so often that I cannot figure out why all grapples aren't made that way. The only thing I can think of is that before CNC cutting it was easier to manufacture straight tines but today manufacturers presumably put a sheet of 3/8" steel in a CNC cutter and they could cut the tines to any shape they want. I noticed yesterday that that WRLong OBG2 gives you an option of either straight or curved tips to the tines. I'd like to know if there are tasks that are better done with straight tines but I've never wished mine were straight.

I think one of the few places a straight set of lower tines help is for manure, old hay, barn stall cleaning.They allow you to set the tines parallel to the ground drive forward till full, close the grapple- dump and repeat.
This way you can make a flat floor when set correctly, more easily than with a curved bottom set of tines, also as I have posted before, the tines work much better for this application if they are not tied together near the front
If you don't have horses and other animal stalls to clean , curved tines are probably the ticket... imo

 

[Dingo Man]

I don't like that it has a single lid.

I am all set with a single lid. The extra thumb is wasted money.

 

[IslandTractor]

I think one of the few places a straight set of lower tines help is for manure, old hay, barn stall cleaning.They allow you to set the tines parallel to the ground drive foword till full, close the grapple- dump and repeat.
This way you can make a flat floor when set correctly, more easily than with a curved bottom set of tines, also as I have posted before, the tines work much better for this application if they are not tied together near the front
If you don't have horses and other animal stalls to clean , curved tines are probably the ticket... imo

I don't have any experience with manure but I thought people used buckets rather than grapples. But I can certainly see Ho straight tines would be better.

 

[Guesseral]

I am in the final hour on a grapple purchase. Has anyone seen the Ranch Rake by M&M Manufacturing. Check them out at . Not sure about prices.

I really like them because they have the longer lower tines that will help with grabbing something like a log. But when you look at the weight wow those are really heavy way more than would be advised for a CUT. Not sure what size tractor you have but look real hard at the weight.
The one I bought is in the 600 lb range and that is heavy but thoes ranch rake units look like 900 +.

 

[IslandTractor]

I really like them because they have the longer lower tines that will help with grabbing something like a log. But when you look at the weight wow those are really heavy way more than would be advised for a CUT. Not sure what size tractor you have but look real hard at the weight.
The one I bought is in the 600 lb range and that is heavy but thoes ranch rake units look like 900 +.

I would personally not buy any grapple that weighed more than 400lbs or so. A CUT simply doesn't have the loader or mass to require anything more massive and heavier grapples just reduce your net load capacity. Do the math.

The Ranch Rake looks a bit overbuilt with 1/2" tines but the only real issue I would have is what looks like a pretty small opening size. If it were 44" or so it would be fine but it looks smaller. I'd also prefer slightly longer bottom tines for digging.

 

[CJONE]

Well here is my take, having been around a bunch of different ones. If I was putting it on a CUT less than 3500lbs lift it would be 48" with a single thumb, L shaped[like the one I have] If I was going with the clam style [brush grapple] it would have double thumbs just to help with the holding of brush. The clam style works great for brush, clearing small stumps and grappling logs. But it does not carry small things like firewood or dig out larger stuff like the L shaped]ones do. [I have acess to both] With the econo grapple you WILL have to reinforce the top tube if you use it hard but that has been the only weak point. I also added bar grating across the openings to keep sticks from poking through into the tractor and for carrying firewood. I also added 16" boxes on each side for added capacity for firewood. I am either going to mod this grapple to open farther or build a new one, you rap your head on the top thumb loading firewood in it it hurts!! This is just my experience with grapples so don't flame me too bad! CJ

 

[IslandTractor]

Well here is my take, having been around a bunch of different ones. If I was putting it on a CUT less than 3500lbs lift it would be 48" with a single thumb, L shaped[like the one I have] If I was going with the clam style [brush grapple] it would have double thumbs just to help with the holding of brush. The clam style works great for brush, clearing small stumps and grappling logs. But it does not carry small things like firewood or dig out larger stuff like the L shaped]ones do. [I have acess to both] With the econo grapple you WILL have to reinforce the top tube if you use it hard but that has been the only weak point. I also added bar grating across the openings to keep sticks from poking through into the tractor and for carrying firewood. I also added 16" boxes on each side for added capacity for firewood. I am either going to mod this grapple to open farther or build a new one, you rap your head on the top thumb loading firewood in it it hurts!! This is just my experience with grapples so don't flame me too bad! CJ

1) any photos of your modifications (otherwise you know the TBN rules....it didn't happen!:laughing:

2) does anyone know if Wildkat changed the gauge of 4x4 tubing used from 0.125" to 0.25"?

 

[sd455dan]

Wow- a CUT with a minimum loader lifting capacity of 3500lbs. are you sure? that sounds more like an AG tractor or at least the Industrial version or a VERY HEAVY duty CUT???

 

[IslandTractor]

Wow- a CUT with a minimum loader lifting capacity of 3500lbs. are you sure? that sounds more like an AG tractor or at least the Industrial version or a VERY HEAVY duty CUT???

I think the point is that virtually any CUT does fine with a light duty 48" grapple. At least one TBN member has one on his M59 which probably has a lift about 3500lbs.

 

[Xfaxman]

I don't like that it has a single lid.

I am all set with a single lid. The extra thumb is wasted money.

Is there that much advantage for a dual lid on a 3' or 4' wide grapple?

 

[IslandTractor]

Is there that much advantage for a dual lid on a 3' or 4' wide grapple?

No, there isn't. Probably useful with a 60 and certainly with a 72.

 

[sd455dan]

I think the point is that virtually any CUT does fine with a light duty 48" grapple. At least one TBN member has one on his M59 which probably has a lift about 3500lbs.

That still is very impressive lift capacity :thumbsup:

 

[Dingo Man]

I really like them because they have the longer lower tines that will help with grabbing something like a log. But when you look at the weight wow those are really heavy way more than would be advised for a CUT. Not sure what size tractor you have but look real hard at the weight.
The one I bought is in the 600 lb range and that is heavy but thoes ranch rake units look like 900 +.

Nope they make a 48" that weighs about 500 to 600.

 

[Dingo Man]

Island Tractor, for what is available out there for 48" grapples comparable to what you have, which one would you go with if you had to buy one today. I am now looking hard at the WR Long 48" RBG2. But it is a lot of money.

 

[IslandTractor]

Island Tractor, for what is available out there for 48" grapples comparable to what you have, which one would you go with if you had to buy one today. I am now looking hard at the WR Long 48" RBG2. But it is a lot of money.

I would buy the Wildkat if and only if they have switched from 4x4x0.125 to 4x4x0.25 for the top tube. 3/8" mild steel is all you need for the bottom tines and upper arm. I think that is currently the best bang for the buck but that top tube issue needs to be fixed. Curved bottom time tips would be my preference but I haven't heard anyone with straight bottom tines complain.

If the price was acceptable from a dealer I would happily own a WRLong 48" OBG2. I would not personally want an RBG style as I think the clamshell style grapples are not as versatile as well as being more expensive.

I haven't seen much about the Titan 48 but it looks fine. If EA made a 48 I would have confidence in that one too. Gator used to make a good 48 too but I don't know if they are in business anymore.

 

[IslandTractor]

Nope they make a 48" that weighs about 500 to 600.

Must have 1/2" bottom tines which IMO is overkill for a CUT