Check out these grapples... Attachments — MTL Attachments Some of these are heavy duty enough for that size tractor. I have good visibility with this grapple, even with it not being as wide as the tractor... I like the flat bottom tines, works almost like forks, hold a log while leaving the top open. You can hold a big round like this, to place on a splitter or trailer It has a 40-41" jaw opening, for bigger logs... I looked at the EA Wicked grapple, nice grapple, but I was able to get the MTL grapple and a set of forks a bit cheaper than just a grapple from them.
I cut from the ends until i come to my forks with the log suspended to save my back. Then I open the grapple with the piece thats left on the forks and finish cutting it. My grapple is different though than grapple shown on those tractors.
Very hard to see where forks are in relation to logs from tractor seat. I wind up making ruts with the fork tines which is a pain.
The local borough took some trees down & brought me the wood. They dumped it in the grass. Here’s my problem:
I see where that flat metal between the top forks would really obstruct your view. I can stand up and see where my bottom forks are, but I don’t like to. I prefer from the top down log picking.
I cut the log until the grapple gets in the way, then depending on the size, I'll just put the remainder on runners and cut it the traditional way. If the remainder is of a good size, I'll measure and make 3/4 cuts, then use the grapple to rotate the log to make the rest of the through-cuts. With forks, I was able to usually make all my cuts with the log on the forks, however I find (for me) it's much easier and faster to use the grapple once you get used to it.
I can see this. Much quicker and easier to grab the log with the grapple but a little cumbersome to cut a full log on compared to forks.
For sure! Trick is finding the balance point. Fortunately I’ve had lots of practice with rigging branches for tree work.
