88" Cottonwood

[Blakesmaster]

Forks aren't even competition to a grapple for tree work, but they are the next best thing. With a grapple you pick pieces from the top not pushing in under them catching sod. Brush gets grabbed in big bundles and there is no balancing act or need to center loads when carrying. You don't need to adjust anything for different size pieces either.

Yeah, I use plywood when needed, usually can get away without it though.

I like grapples for their ease of use but you can put so much more on a set of forks ( with wood, that is ). Of course, you do have to hand load it but it does make for less trips from backyard to front and saves on the job time and turf damage. You definitely need a couple extra groundies to make it efficient though.

 

[gr8scott72]

30 hp
4' wide
weight: 3000 lbs
800 lb lift (1/2 of tipping weight)
10gpm flow at 3000psi hydraulics

It is very stable for it's size and lawn friendly. I still need to build a grapple for it. This machine combined with my Bobcat and we are moving wood.

The green tracks are even more lawn friendly. Can turn 180s and not skin the grass up.

I've added about 300 lbs to the rear of mine and can lift about 1200 lbs now. (Can move a 8'9", 24" diameter pine log no problem.)

Grapple is the way to go. This is a strong little wood slingin machine.

It loads this dump trailer in a hurry:

 

[gr8scott72]

I like grapples for their ease of use but you can put so much more on a set of forks ( with wood, that is ). Of course, you do have to hand load it but it does make for less trips from backyard to front and saves on the job time and turf damage. You definitely need a couple extra groundies to make it efficient though.

I'd much rather have a grapple and be able to chomp down on the load and not worry about balancing it all the way to the truck than be able to carry a little more. Can drive faster and just make two trips in the same time.

Plus I can pick up and move the brush, logs, or whatever while the groundies do other stuff.

 

[gr8scott72]

This is what was left of a tree we just took down when I finally got a camera on the job. I wish I got shots of the takedown, but we bull rushed it for the first day and there just was no time.

Oh, nice pictures, saws, skid steer, and work nails!!!

 

[ropensaddle]

I like grapples for their ease of use but you can put so much more on a set of forks ( with wood, that is ). Of course, you do have to hand load it but it does make for less trips from backyard to front and saves on the job time and turf damage. You definitely need a couple extra groundies to make it efficient though.

I am getting a set of grapple forks.

 

[ropensaddle]

I am getting a set of grapple forks.

To fit this oldy but goody!

 

[Nailsbeats]

Oh, nice pictures, saws, skid steer, and work nails!!!

Thanks Scott, you have a killer equipment setup there.

 

[Nailsbeats]

To fit this oldy but goody!

Nice ride Rope, real oldschool!

 

[ropensaddle]

Nice ride Rope, real oldschool!

Thanks I put a new motor it it slapped a little paint on it and have been working the crap outta it. I have about 5 k in it counting new 35hp vangaurd. Have you seen the grapple forks set up; Pallet fork with a grapple that opens to 44"?

 

[gink595]

To fit this oldy but goody!

What is that old girl a 610? Be carfull in that thing with no ROPS. Had a friends father dam near break his neck in one like that. He was looking out the side with the boom up and started lowering it and pinched his neck, he panic and pushed the pedal in the wrong direction and really :censored: himself up. He is a little goofy now, becasue of it don't see or hear right. I'm sure you know better though

 

[ropensaddle]

What is that old girl a 610? Be carfull in that thing with no ROPS. Had a friends father dam near break his neck in one like that. He was looking out the side with the boom up and started lowering it and pinched his neck, he panic and pushed the pedal in the wrong direction and really :censored: himself up. He is a little goofy now, becasue of it don't see or hear right. I'm sure you know better though

It is a m 600 with variable speed drive and auxiliary package. I don't know if I could be that stupid but I will be careful on hills with a load I have several hours in it now. I do want to build a roll bar setup soon just in case!

 

[Nailsbeats]

Thanks I put a new motor it it slapped a little paint on it and have been working the crap outta it. I have about 5 k in it counting new 35hp vangaurd. Have you seen the grapple forks set up; Pallet fork with a grapple that opens to 44"?

Yes sir, I have.

Check out Arrowforklift.com. Sorry, I couldn't link it.

I have considered them myself and think they would work well.

 

[ropensaddle]

Yes sir, I have.

Check out Arrowforklift.com. Sorry, I couldn't link it.

I have considered them myself and think they would work well.

I was thinking the same and at half cost I am obviously on a shoestring here
They should be lighter as well ehhhhhhhhhh?

 

[Nailsbeats]

I was thinking the same and at half cost I am obviously on a shoestring here
They should be lighter as well ehhhhhhhhhh?

I would think, but that's all relative to what you are comparing. There are a lot of grapple variations and quality levels out there.

Have you considered a grapple bucket? I find that to be the most useful tool I own. It'll pick any size or shape, the rakings, dirt, and backdrag to boot.

 

[gink595]

I would think, but that's all relative to what you are comparing. There are a lot of grapple variations and quality levels out there.

Have you considered a grapple bucket? I find that to be the most useful tool I own. It'll pick any size or shape, the rakings, dirt, and backdrag to boot.

I like the root grapples the best for what I do, you can get a lot done in a hurry with not much sweat.

 

[ropensaddle]

I would think, but that's all relative to what you are comparing. There are a lot of grapple variations and quality levels out there.

Have you considered a grapple bucket? I find that to be the most useful tool I own. It'll pick any size or shape, the rakings, dirt, and backdrag to boot.

Well yeah, but I would have to make it. "2500 to 4k" the fork I was looking at was 980 with grapple, I already have a bucket. I also thought of just adding thumb to it but the sides on a bucket don't allow for logs at 12 foot length in case they are mill logs.

 

[ropensaddle]

I like the root grapples the best for what I do, you can get a lot done in a hurry with not much sweat.

Some one needs to turn your air conditioner off:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[gink595]

Some one needs to turn your air conditioner off:hmm3grin2orange:

LOL. I wish, it only has heat. Door comes off in the summer.

 

[ropensaddle]

LOL. I wish, it only has heat. Door comes off in the summer.

Ya'all have some nice set ups there and nails I hate them stinky cottonwoods not many around here though

 

[Nailsbeats]

Here's a few classics from the archives of my grapple bucket and log grapple, just to spice things up.