Tractor FEL log Grapple Ideas

The cylinder mount should have some gussets on it.

 

thats correct!! what is the advantage of that style of tines over the one below??

I think we are saying pretty much the same thing here just in different words. I think we can agree that this grapple would slide underneath the bottom log on the log pile easier because of its style of tines. being lower to the ground. NOT SAYING THIS GRAPPLE IS 100% BETTER THAN YOURS! so please don't come back with "ya but that grapple is this or that." only speaking of penetrating the log pile that's it. since this grapple penetrates the log pile better its faster than rolling the logs off the pile then picking them up. hence this design is more efficient for moving logs.

 

very good info. I was just posting a pic of a smooth bottom bucket grapple. just to show another style. not saying "mine is the best" or anything. just showing some options for the op. thanks for your experience though.

 

thanks for posting the links though. very good reads!!

 

here is a grapple that looks good for logs. notice how you can set the bucket down flat and drive into the log pile. much faster and more efficient than a root grapple, with thick tines that are curved up at the tips. skip the intro at :50

 

ok this video is a total sales pitch of bobcat brand. BUT he does mention some helpful information to have when selecting a grapple. I am not at all advocating the bobcat brand nor am I getting paid for this or any other brand... some ppl get paid for advertising. I'm not one of them.

 

here is another video. man I could watch grapple videos all day. lol. like a kid in a candy store.

 

here is a cool one. not the best for logs but cool.

 

here is kind of a neat idea. I can't see the rake being much of an advantage over a bucket with teeth though.

 

I never mentioned before. It is a JD 5083E, 83 hp. I don't tend to have much problem with the lift capacity.
That sundown grapple is nearly identical to the Frostbite grapple. The specs are basically the same.

I forgot about the tractorbynet site. A guy can get lost there. Thanks for the links.

 

I like this idea. Pretty simple. I think it would have better grip on the log than just a single tooth coming down. How high does the arm go up? Does it interfere with regular forklift operation raised up?

 

Here is another log grapple

 

I forgot I had this video of loading the truck.

 

That grapple you posted a pic of is a rock bucket with a grapple added on. The tines are close spaced so little rocks don't fall through. The tines on a root grapple are designed for digging roots, were you don't need the closer spacing. Yes, since the ends are thinner on that rock bucket grapple it would penetrate a log pile better. I bet there would be certain cases that you would have to roll them of the pile still. I'm thinking the best style for logs only is the frostbite. I think that even with the "log grapple" like I posted early in this thread with the fork like ends, it would still not go under the log in all cases. I bet you would have to chase it around til it went under. With the frost bite it would just be pull up with the grapple down and close. The problem with the frostbite is it is not a versatile design. It probably would be awesome for digging stumps and rocks though.

 

94BULLITT when you roll your grapple all the way out can you see the top tines as they close? I've had pretty good luck grabbing logs from a pile doing that with mine.

 

I think many ppl agree and has already been said on this thread. that a bucket style grapple (not a smooth bottom bucket) is better than just a grapple. they are more versatile, better and longer reach. if your loading logs into a trailer with sides on it. you can reach down and place it on the trailer more gently. or if you do occasionally have to roll a log off the log pile you can reach up farther out from the machine. you can also stack the log pile higher, since logs almost never stack completely vertical, so you can reach farther back into the pile hence building the pile higher.

that's true. unless your loading off of a log pile, for the most part. I was speaking more comparatively, wanting to weigh the pros and con's of a rock grapple compared to a root grapple. I'm glad we agree though that for penetrating the log pile that the rock grapple is more efficient.

so what do you think for all around use for this grapple bucket compared to a root grapple bucket? what are the pro's and cons? what do you think a root grapple can do that this style can't?

 

Yes it does interfere with regular fork use but I can pull 3 pins and take it off. I plan to get another mounting base and add it to my stone forks so I can have a grapple option there as well. That's what I like about this; cheap, easy to put on and take off, and can be used in different applications.

 

That depends on the angle of the grapple and how high the loader is. Sometimes I can grab a log like that. If there is another log in behind that log and the lid hits is as it closes, it can pick the tractor up Or are you talking about pinching the log in the end of the grapple? That may work better than trying get the log all the way in the grapple. I don't really like moving those big long logs with the tractor. The ones in the video of me getting them off the pile were 16' or longer. I think it is hard on the loader and makes the tractor unstable with them being so long. I should have taken the time to cut them in half but I didn't.

 

How does it work for moving logs? I assume your forks are 42'' or 48''. Do you wish you had a set of short forks to use for moving logs?

 

If you are doing an apples to apples comparison, I don't think a bucket grapple is longer. Now is you are comparing a Skid Steer Bucket grapple to a Compact tractor root grapple then yeah, the bucket grapple is longer.

I would like to use a rock grapple to see how much more efficient it would be at moving a pile. In my case I have the logs put against two trees so I can push on the logs. If you had a pile in the middle of a field with nothing supporting it and you pushed on it, even with a rock grapple you could make it fall.

I feel like I am being interrogated for some reason, like it is root grapple vs all other grapples. If you want to have a friendly discussion that is fine. The Faver 8410 is basically a root grapple. The tines do not have anything supporting/ bracing them on the end. A root grapple typically has a piece of round tube on the end to keep the tines from bending and it is also used a for depth control when digging roots/ debris. Since the tines on the Faver grapple are not supported on the end they are extremely thick. So it would be heavier than a comparable root grapple. I would say they both would be equal in capabilities other than it does not have teeth to help hold what you are carrying or cut roots when you are digging. What kind of grapple do you have? It is not a pallet fork grapple is it?