Finally welded and found the right hydraulics for my grapple….euro mount headaches. Most people seem to run the bucket grapples, so I was curious who was grapples and how they like them. Next post might be a weld fracture question….but we shall see
That looks like a log specific grapple not a general purpose one ,I have not had a tractor for a few years but the one I did have had the skid loader quick attach on it so I just used my grapple from my skid loader it is a 6 foot bobcat grapple I usually use it om my s-650 bobcat I found it to take to much lifting power away from the tractor loader due to it's weight but yours looks like it is much lighter it should be a good match for your tractor. as to weld fracture problems we would never try to lift tooooooo much and break anything would we ? just consider it reaserch JB
I run a 5 foot Worksaver grapple on my Kioti NX4510. Doesn’t have as much clamping power as I’d like, and the jaws don’t open super wide. I think for logs I’d prefer a Frostbite style grapple. Honestly I prefer the forks for most jobs. More versatile, doesn’t require the 3rd function valve, easier to take on off, can utilize my dumping box, etc
I have the Wicked Grapple from Everything Attachments. It’s been good match with my Kubota L3301. Though it picks up and carries logs well, I’m thinking on some improvements coming. As said it picks up logs and brush well. Great to grab a brush pile or rake one together. The two shortcomings I want to fix are that since it’s “teeth” come together, it doesn’t clamp except right at the tips. Bucking a log suspended waist high turns into a balancing game going from one end to the other to keep log from falling to heavy side. Also. Due to design, if you try to pickup a not so large log from one end and have it poke straight out to the front for moving down a narrow trail or bucking, same thing applies. It flops down forward due to no support at butt end inside grapple. The flatter style upper jaw would be better as a holder IMHO. Ala Frostbite. I also use my forks a lot on the rear with the grapple or bucket on quick attaches front (which all three can be swapped as needed) and would recommend forks as a first purchase especially if your more of a “splitting” operation than a “logging”. More versatile also. I love my grapple. But a good set of forks will do a lot more around the place. Mine are used a lot with a pallet catch all for a work table and stuff carrying all over the place. They have the same issues as the grapple related to log holding but I’m working on building a “thumb” for the forks to clamp down when needed to hold a log firmly. But a chain or ratchet strap can accomplish the very same thing. I like the forks for previous mentioned reasons. I can buck the log, roll rounds up on a pallet, raise pallet to waist high at splitter to feed rounds from(also done with grapple), and then as splits slide into totes, pick up full tote/catch box and move to storing area. Too many projects. Too much laziness. Lenny Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This is my rig when new a couple years ago. I have since put it through the battle and it's a tank. Heavy duty and no complaints. My neighbor has the same unit and was just commenting last week, "why didn't we get these things years ago." I don't baby mine in any way and have moved many 30' plus/20"plus diameter logs. Whatever my track-loader can lift, I won't hesitate to do it with the grapple. I use it weekly to load my mill. I can easily grab a 20' log from the butt end for moving up narrow trails. The large plate on the top of the jaws holds the butt (log straight out the front) very tight. Over time, the plates have bent a bit from this method, but it's 1/2 inch steel and no weld fractures at all. It's my single most go-to attachment. If I need a bucket, I simply pick up the quick attach bucket with the grapple and carry it with me to the job site. You'll never regret owning a good grapple. Don't go cheap.
I have the MTL 4' single lid grapple. LOVE IT!! It is a little heavier than the Wicked Grapple but quite a bit cheaper. Such a handy tool!
I have the bucket, forks, the grapple and the 84 inch rock bucket…. I do not have a skid steer though!
