I am looking at this for my tractor. Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Root Grapple vs. Root Rake Grapple
- Thread starter gary courtney
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I am looking at this for my tractor. Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
I like and have that style grapple vs the "frostbite" or the "rake" style.
The twin "lids" (grapples) are much better accommodating odd loads and the long "floor" or bottom is beneficial cleaning up brush, tops stumps, etc.
Select the "beefiest" unit that your machine can handle without severely compromising the carrying capacity (limited by your machines capacity). Abuse is just the nature of this very versatile and powerful tool.
The twin "lids" (grapples) are much better accommodating odd loads and the long "floor" or bottom is beneficial cleaning up brush, tops stumps, etc.
Select the "beefiest" unit that your machine can handle without severely compromising the carrying capacity (limited by your machines capacity). Abuse is just the nature of this very versatile and powerful tool.
Go look at ea wicked grapples, some of the best money can buy. Very well built too. Pros and cons to both styles.
https://www.everythingattachments.com/Tractor-Root-Grapples-s/10568.htm
https://www.everythingattachments.com/Tractor-Root-Grapples-s/10568.htm
EA seems to be headed out of business so only buy if you find a used one or one you’re physically standing in front of.
I have a tine style grapple currently and love it. I’ve had brush rake and skeleton style grapples and the tine grapple suits my needs best. I load everything from scrap metal to logs and manure with it and everything in between.
I used it for about 8 minutes and decided the tines needed to be flipped so they would act more like skis instead of digging in the ground. Works amazing to use as a brush rake now that I did this !!
It’s a beast and I’d buy it again but I doubt I’ll ever destroy it.
Your Kubota M4800 will likely be happier with a less heavy unit. This one weighs in at 1325lbs empty. That’s still a decent sized tractor so I would definitely buy something built well !!
That's too bad, I hadn't heard they were having issues.
grogetr sawguy
ArboristSite Member
I got the heavy duty model from stinger for my JD6430 best thing I have bought. Very handy. Get 2 jaws and pay attention to how they’re built I have seen some light ones bend where they connect to the frame and pivot
VirginiaIron
ArboristSite Operative
I got this style from express steel and love it. There was a learning curve with the upturned teeth. Here is a shot with about a 25" oak.
Here’s another option. I recently acquired a pallet fork grapple for my overgrown lawnmower. For what I’ve been doing with it (cutting firewood off of it) it’s been working very well.
One of our other members has a larger version on his Massey, been thinking about adding the finger to my forks since he showed it off in the scrounging thread. Great idea, I'm just not sure how to execute it with my fork set up. There are occasions I shove the forks together in the middle for a few specific tasks and I'd rather not loose that ability.
This unit can be installed or removed in a few minutes and is roughly 6 inches wide at the points it attaches to the forks. It will take longer to get the impact and the socket than it will to actually loosen the bolts and lift the unit off.
VirginiaIron
ArboristSite Operative
I don't know what kind of header board you have. Something like this could be used with grade 8 pins to holes/welded flanges.
https://www.palletforks.com/fork-mo...VisDzHF9Q9iLpIfAdmTMsfNU-lOisGaBoCdaAQAvD_BwE
That's an interesting unit, hadn't thought about making something slip over the forks.
VirginiaIron
ArboristSite Operative
I'd be afraid of the unit slipping off the forks. The second photo shows it chained and that works also. I have two types of forks, one set that is fixed at a 90 to the header and another set with forks that swing up. This would have to be chained at the base of the swinging forks to prevent possible upswing.
Mine are attached to sliders at the top and bottom so they don't swing out like some do. Weight is my biggest factor as I only have 1k lb lift capacity. Small tractor issues... they list the weight at 399lbs and my forks are already pretty heavy so that idea went out the window.
I just started working on my firewood and forgot about this very handy use of my grapple.
I welded in that bar after discovering that with one of my SS dirt buckets would grab a log (if it was cut nice and square) by the end.... but didn't handle the logs by the middle, the way you'd pile logs.
Sure is a nice way to cut to your stove length firewood at waist height and keep your bar out of the dirt!
That machine will handle a 12" hardwood log about 24' long.... from the end!
I welded in that bar after discovering that with one of my SS dirt buckets would grab a log (if it was cut nice and square) by the end.... but didn't handle the logs by the middle, the way you'd pile logs.
Sure is a nice way to cut to your stove length firewood at waist height and keep your bar out of the dirt!
That machine will handle a 12" hardwood log about 24' long.... from the end!
VirginiaIron
ArboristSite Operative
Great idea! I used the wedge on my splitter for that purpose and it work wonderfully. I'll have to try that on the grapple when I get some help.
VirginiaIron
ArboristSite Operative
Will the smaller logs fit under the upper square tube? I take it the added pipe permits a larger diameter log.
No not on my particular grapple, I needed to add the solid bar and the (8) attaching brackets at each lids pivot point. I made it about 4" proud of the "back" (upright) of the grapple for a better bite of the top of the log if not cut nicely square. 
It's a piece of heavy #10 rebar that was handy. I thought the rough knobbies might help gripping it but it usually settles in between two of the 'teeth" making a secure 3 point contact.
...and it's more like a 10" log that will fit in there, not the 12" I mentioned.
It's a piece of heavy #10 rebar that was handy. I thought the rough knobbies might help gripping it but it usually settles in between two of the 'teeth" making a secure 3 point contact.
...and it's more like a 10" log that will fit in there, not the 12" I mentioned.
VirginiaIron
ArboristSite Operative
Hey Gary....? Did you make a decision yet?
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