I have a 5 foot Worksaver grapple for my Kioti NX. Truthfully I don’t like it all that much. Doesn’t open wide enough, top lid isn’t long enough, and I just don’t really care for the design. I think forks can do most of the same jobs, but are more versatile, cheaper, and don’t require extra hydraulics. As to the size debate, it’s completely dependent on needs, property size and budget. A BX sized machine couldn’t physically do what I need to, and would be way too small on my 21 acres. My NX would be way too cumbersome on a 1-2 acre lot. It’s all relative.
This old Pine was no trouble at all for the trusty BX! Had to cut em alil shorter ..no biggie ! Had some watchers..
I'd say I agree with most of that. The acres...I dont agree with. It's what u do on your acres. My BX takes care of 60 acres without a sweat. Full on brush hogging....logging...firewood...food plots...finish mowing...clearing fence rows ..grading a 1/2 mile road 2 or 3 times a year..etc. To me...forks are great..but compared to a good grapple..they are slow and clumsy..fir me anyway. Never had to get use to them for moving brush and such. If I wanted to..I could plow..disc....even bale hay with a mini round baler. Of coarse ...then it runs into the whole..how much time do you want to spend argument !!! I've had construction guys..home owners...Profesional tree service guys...who laughed when I pulled up. Weren't laughing as I completed the task..in record time...tractor fuel gauge still on full..no ruts in the yard ! Some people..still don't get it after that ...and never will. And that's ok. All I know for sure..is I'm taking care of 60 acres......but those bigger tractors can't do what I do on a city lot or tight quarters. I think having a bigger tractor would be great...and thats on my wish list...as I'd love to chew some time off a few tasks...so I can do more stuff !!
Wondering for our 70+ hp tractor if your type of grapple or a Frostbite type would be better for mostly plucking logs off of a triaxle delivered pile. I have forks now but visibility in seeing where the forks are when I drive into the pile is the issue. I may have posted this before I can’t remember. Sorry if I did.
I'm not sure which would be better. This is the only grapple I've had...and ive gotten so use to it...ive used it for everything..even picking up rocks..and steel beams ! I know mine will move logs no problem..with perfect visibility.
I borrowed that one from my cousin. mom considering this one if I ever get the income source stabilized….
I looked at the Frostbite grapples but went with an EA Wicked grapple instead. I think it has more versatility than the Frostbite. If you're only using it for logs, I think either would be a good choice.
Thats a nice looking set up. How is your visibility from the tractor seat when your grabbing the logs?
I think visibility is excellent with the grapple, and much better than when using forks and/or logging tongs. Been there, done that, and the grapple is much better IMO. The grapple even works better for moving bulk mulch than a bucket.
I may have asked this before somewhere but to all the guys using grapples, how do you cut the log while suspending it in the air? Seems there's too much metal in the way to make all of your cuts?
I don't do it that way. I cut the log into 6-8ft long lengths on the ground after i fell the tree.....then i pick them up with the grapple...then stack the poles in a nice neat big pile. Then I just cut to firewood size on the pile .
