Grapple WRLong Root Grapple

[SCRich]

Odd way to ask the question but I bought one today, hope I did the right thing. Bought a L3400 along with the WRLong root grapple, any good or bad thoughts on the product. I paid $2839 with the valve installed.

Just wanted to make sure I did not purchase a dog, I still have a day if I want to back out. I know they seem to be popular but I have not heard from any owners.

 

[RedRocker]

You can't go wrong with any grapple, I've got one on order myself.

 

[keving]

the grapple is my most useful implement. WR Long has a good name. Did you by their 3rd function remote?

 

[N80]

Welcome to TBN, Rich. I don't own a grapple but WR Long seems to have a good reputation and they are relatively local should something go wrong.

Who is installing the additional valve and how are they doing it?

By the way, I live in York County too. Got my L4400 from York County Kubota. I wish that I had gotten a grapple at the outset, but all my clearing work is done now. Oh well.

 

[SCRich]

York County is doing the whole deal, extra valve and all and it will be a thumb switch. The grapple will be in probably in 2 or so weeks since it's special ordered but the tractor should be ready Friday, I'll be there on Monday to meet the trucking company droping off my storage container.

I'll PM you further.

 

[Kendall69]

I got my grapple for $1,400, valve etc 300, labor 300, for reference.
So your not that far off, I'd stick with the grapple, best attachment made next to a bucket.
Root Grapple

 

[IslandTractor]

WR Long makes great grapples and diverter kits so don't worry about the quality of your equipment. Great decision by the way to get the grapple up front with your tractor purchase. Many of us buy them only after discovering the frustration of not having one.

 

[BamaRob]

I have a WR Long selector valve with bulkhead kit on order that should ship out on Monday. It'll be another week or more before my Millonzi grapple is ready to ship. Within 3-4 weeks, I should be set up and ready to do LOTS of clean up. I plan to take before/after pictures of the area I'm cleaning up.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with getting the grapple from the beginning.

Later,

BR

 

[nasdaqsam]

Just to add to the thoughts already posted, WRLong is a top notch company and they build a great product. Congrats on taking the plunge. Hands down a grappple is far and away the most usefull item I own.

Let us know your thoughts and of course we want pics.

Regards

 

[SCRich]

Well I have a lot of before pictures and DV video. Actually most of them are on my web server but the nitty gritty photos I have not been able to upload. I run the server under my desk here and am having some trouble uploading, I got to put some time into the server and see what is going on before I can upload again. Here is one prime example.

Our Family Photos :: Logging :: IMGA0345

This past week I have had some quiet time on the property since I have been alone on vacation and the wife and child were either home or at work. They are always rushing to get out since they don't like the rough walk/hike down the hilly branch/tree covered trails, I love it! I got more photos of the actual work that will be involved and need to figure how to get my uploads to work again.

My plan is that firewood quality trees, good kindling and nice rounds will be cut to 24in and set aside in piles every 100ft or so. I'll probably come back load them up in the bucket and place them all in a staging area for splitting and seasoning. By that time the grapple should have arrived, probably sooner, and I will then come through and generate large piles in 2 staging areas, one will be the food plot which the loggers used and is now torn up the 2nd will be what is going to be the park, both are about 1.5 acres each. The park will be our yard but since it is so hilly I could not get a good flat 2 acres for the house and yard together so they are split by a few hundred feet so I call it a park and not a yard.

Since all I have is a FEL and no heavy duty machinery in case of emergency, and we are really dry I do not think I can get away with a large burn. I'll probably grapple pick up truck size loads to the middle of the clear cut and burn them 2-3 a weekend. That will probably take several months on it's own.

We were red flag last week so the index is real high. I only have 1.5 acre clean cuts to work with in the middle of pine forrests with many UPHILL slopes which are great for wildfires. How do all of you deal with burns ? I have never done a large burn and these are freshly cut pine. I am guessing small piles and a small mix of diesel/gasoline to get it going?