Loader Yet another B2601 Grapple question...

[aRvy]

I will be buying a grapple soon for my B2601.
It will be either the EA wicked 50" single lid or the Landpride SG0660.
The main duties will be manipulating oak cuts as pictured below and servicing my wife's penchant for placing large rocks around the yard.
My question is related to the design of the two grapples:
The Wicked 50" is an "L" shape and the Landpride is a "C".
Is either one more suited to my needs?
With my bad back I intend to use the grapple to place the oak cuts on a log splitter (horizontal) or manuver them under it (vertical).
I wonder if I pick these pieces up at either the left or right side of the Landpride; when I close it will the two cylinders tend to rack the lid?
Does either one have stronger closing force? I am not sure of the square area of the piston(s) in the cylinder(s)
of each model but a general opinion would be welcome.
I have read the previous posts on this subject that I could find and am still confused.
It seems to me that with the Landpride you apporach the load with the FEL more like you were using a standard bucket and then close the lid, curl back and lift. Whereas with the EA "L" shape you need to stop with the grapple over the load and then come down over the top, close, lift, curl, lower to a good travel position and then proceed.
According to the website data: The Wicked weighs 274/255 while the Landpride weighs 247. So weight is not a factor. I am just hoping to get opinions as to which design is better for my intended use.
Thanks

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Unless you need a root grapple (like the SG series) for grubbing rock and roots, I would go with one like the EA you mentioned. I probably will hold more rounds. :2cents:

 

[Speedex]

I built an L type 50" wide grapple for my L3200 and it handles logs really well. Stays on my tractor 90% of the time.

 

[skipperbrown]

I have the EA 50". I use it mostly for carrying brush/tree limbs. As far as crunching power, it will hold anything your tractor can lift. The EA forks lock/mate top and bottom. This is sometimes good and sometimes bad. It's bad when you want to grip something that is smaller than the internal volume of the grapple.

 

[HCJtractor]

my vote is for the EA. I don't like the Landpride design.

 

[skipperbrown]

Now you have a 3rd choice: EA is making a new grapple more suited for rooting.