Root Grapple vs. Root rake Grapple

[Gary Courtney]

What sort of machine will you be using it on ? I purchased a Virnig V60 tine grapple and it’s an absolute beast.

I’ve used it on my S185 ……
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It’s happiest on the S300 though and I haven’t been able to destroy it yet. It weighs 1,400lbs and was $3.75/lb lol.
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On the Deere 2038r I went a different direction and got a set of pallet forks and an add on grapple. It’ll get used to hold wood up so I don’t have to bend over to cut it to firewood length and I’ll use the skiddy and grapple to do anything this in incapable of. This is a stock photo, not mine but is just like this.
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kubota m 4800 4x4 with 2580 at the pin lift capacity

 

[Gary Courtney]

Have never really used them in a mill yard setting, but the ones with seperate top arms can get out of phase with each other and become very annoying. I can't think of the brand now, but my boss bought an absolute unit of a root grapple. It's one of the ones with bucket teeth on the lower spars.

Here's a pic I found...Paladin brand. Used to be Bradco. Possibly overkill, but I think you gotta try in order to tear one up.

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My friend in the tree business has 3 bobcat T86's and 2 articulated loaders. a couple of them have brush grapples and 3 have root grapples with double hydraulics on top and he said his opinion is the double best suits him for trees with variable trunk diameters. Never had any issues.

 

[Gary Courtney]

You don't need a 60" or wider grapple to pick up logs. In fact, the heavier the grapple, the less the log you'll be able to lift and carry.

About 7 years ago, I planned to buy a 60" grapple for my ~40hp Kubota; they were out, but they had 48" and 72" (and up). I knew 72" was too big, so I got the 48". Never regretted it. I know I would have regretted getting a larger and heavier grapple.

Heavy loads:

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This giant Shagbark Hickory came within 4" of hitting our house. This is as far as I could lift this log; the tractor simply wouldn't lift it any higher:

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The trunk of a Maple I took down the other day; most of this tree went to my BIL.

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I hope this helps.

Thanks! looking at a 60" Ironcraft brand

 

[Gary Courtney]

Those grapple arms can be twisted pretty quickly. You see people bending the side plate of the growsers by hitting something solid with the outside point or slapping the side plate against something.

I see some manufactures putting a HP rating on the grapples.

This pic is an Ironcraft brand. putting it on a Kubota m4800 4x4 that has a 2580 lift at pin

 

[Ryan Browne]

kubota m 4800 4x4 with 2580 at the pin lift capacity

I have an MX4700 and an Everything Attachments 54" Wicked Root grapple. Not the root rake style. It's like this: https://www.everythingattachments.c...e-by-Everything-Attachments-p/eta-wrg-cmp.htm

Too bad they're going out of business because it's a great grapple. I agree with the poster above who said to stick with a narrow grapple. I love not getting the ends snagged on trees as I'm going through the woods. Never have wished it was wider. Also, light weight is nice. The rating that Kubota gives for the loader isn't like a skid steer rating. Our MXs get pretty light in the rear and unstable with a heavy load. I wouldn't want a grapple much over 500# if at all possible. I'd look for something similar to the EA or a dedicated log grapple like the Frostbite if you'll really be using it primarily for logs and brush.

 

[Hedgerow]

50 hp tractor with a 2580 at the pin lift capacity

You should be fine.

I have one almost identical to the one you asked about and I have it on a 57HP 4wd tractor. Bout 7500 pounds.
I won't let Levi use it on the 11,000 pound T76 Bobcat. He'd pretzel it in a day.

I use it to pick logs and pile brush. And "gently" set logs up on the mill.. Works good for that..

 

[Hedgerow]

I have an MX4700 and an Everything Attachments 54" Wicked Root grapple. Not the root rake style. It's like this: https://www.everythingattachments.c...e-by-Everything-Attachments-p/eta-wrg-cmp.htm

Too bad they're going out of business because it's a great grapple. I agree with the poster above who said to stick with a narrow grapple. I love not getting the ends snagged on trees as I'm going through the woods. Never have wished it was wider. Also, light weight is nice. The rating that Kubota gives for the loader isn't like a skid steer rating. Our MXs get pretty light in the rear and unstable with a heavy load. I wouldn't want a grapple much over 500# if at all possible. I'd look for something similar to the EA or a dedicated log grapple like the Frostbite if you'll really be using it primarily for logs and brush.

Agreed.. the little Kubota's are great tools, but aren't real heavy. That can be good, that can be not handy.. Depending on the situation.

I used the grapple to set a 12' long x 30" oak log up on the mill last week. Grapple handled it good, tractor was at the very limit..
Had to stick a round bale for ballast..

 

[FTG-05]

I have an MX4700 and an Everything Attachments 54" Wicked Root grapple. Not the root rake style. It's like this: https://www.everythingattachments.c...e-by-Everything-Attachments-p/eta-wrg-cmp.htm

Too bad they're going out of business because it's a great grapple. I agree with the poster above who said to stick with a narrow grapple. I love not getting the ends snagged on trees as I'm going through the woods. Never have wished it was wider. Also, light weight is nice. The rating that Kubota gives for the loader isn't like a skid steer rating. Our MXs get pretty light in the rear and unstable with a heavy load. I wouldn't want a grapple much over 500# if at all possible. I'd look for something similar to the EA or a dedicated log grapple like the Frostbite if you'll really be using it primarily for logs and brush.

Excellent point. Here is why I'm able to lift heavy logs to the limit of the FEL's capacity: My LMC HD box blade with extra weight attached to it plus rear filled tires.

Let's count it up:

- Rear filled tires, 47 gallons at 8.1 lbs/gal x 2 = 761 lbs
- LMC BB = 675 lbs (per the manufacturer)
- Railroad track 1' at 140 lb/3 ft = 47 lbs
- Concrete, lead and steel 8x8"x6' weight block - 410 lbs
- Ratchet Rake attached to weight block = 110 lbs.
- Concrete, lead and steel wheel weights: 250 lbs x 2 = 500 lbs.

Let's count it up: 761 + 675 + 47 + 410 + 110 + 500 = 2,503 lbs added weight to the rear tires or behind the rear tires. Pre TractorData.com, the Kubota L4330 weighs 3,440 lbs. on the hoof (no cab). Hence, I added 72% more weight in order to safely move these loads. If you're tires are not filled nor is your 3ph "grunting" when it lifts its load, you don't have enough weight to lift loads like this - safely.







In the last pic, the left rear tire was just barely touching the ground. I moved that log at a very slow speed in order to not tip the tractor over.

 

[Ryan Browne]

Excellent point. Here is why I'm able to lift heavy logs to the limit of the FEL's capacity: My LMC HD box blade with extra weight attached to it plus rear filled tires.

Let's count it up:

- Rear filled tires, 47 gallons at 8.1 lbs/gal x 2 = 761 lbs
- LMC BB = 675 lbs (per the manufacturer)
- Railroad track 1' at 140 lb/3 ft = 47 lbs
- Concrete, lead and steel 8x8"x6' weight block - 410 lbs
- Ratchet Rake attached to weight block = 110 lbs.
- Concrete, lead and steel wheel weights: 250 lbs x 2 = 500 lbs.

Let's count it up: 761 + 675 + 47 + 410 + 110 + 500 = 2,503 lbs added weight to the rear tires or behind the rear tires. Pre TractorData.com, the Kubota L4330 weighs 3,440 lbs. on the hoof (no cab). Hence, I added 72% more weight in order to safely move these loads. If you're tires are not filled nor is your 3ph "grunting" when it lifts its load, you don't have enough weight to lift loads like this - safely.

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In the last pic, the left rear tire was just barely touching the ground. I moved that log at a very slow speed in order to not tip the tractor over.

Weight on the back sure is welcome. I always try to keep heavy loads like that to a minimum in terms of distance traveled and how much steering I do. When you think about all that weight on the loader, filled tires, and weight hanging off the back, but the tires are barely on the ground, where is all that weight going? Hint, your front axle.

 

[Hedgerow]

16’ hedge log..

Not sure what it weighed.

No ballast on that one.

 

[jblnut]

Excellent point. Here is why I'm able to lift heavy logs to the limit of the FEL's capacity: My LMC HD box blade with extra weight attached to it plus rear filled tires.

Let's count it up:

- Rear filled tires, 47 gallons at 8.1 lbs/gal x 2 = 761 lbs
- LMC BB = 675 lbs (per the manufacturer)
- Railroad track 1' at 140 lb/3 ft = 47 lbs
- Concrete, lead and steel 8x8"x6' weight block - 410 lbs
- Ratchet Rake attached to weight block = 110 lbs.
- Concrete, lead and steel wheel weights: 250 lbs x 2 = 500 lbs.

Let's count it up: 761 + 675 + 47 + 410 + 110 + 500 = 2,503 lbs added weight to the rear tires or behind the rear tires. Pre TractorData.com, the Kubota L4330 weighs 3,440 lbs. on the hoof (no cab). Hence, I added 72% more weight in order to safely move these loads. If you're tires are not filled nor is your 3ph "grunting" when it lifts its load, you don't have enough weight to lift loads like this - safely.

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In the last pic, the left rear tire was just barely touching the ground. I moved that log at a very slow speed in order to not tip the tractor over.

Yeah I’ll be that guy that is a downer and says that’s a great way to break a front axle. Having the tractor get tippy when you lift something heavy says to get a larger tractor, not add literal tons of weight.

Or get yerself a new toy !! This critter will lift 5,600lbs before it tips forward. A few stumps today were pushing the limits.



The larger ones I couldn’t move will have to wait for the 844 loader and it’s giant grapple to wake up from its winter nap.

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

I have the EA 60” on my MX6000. Unless you can find a used one on marketplace, DO NOT send EA money. They are tits up. Probably gonna be millions owed.. big mess. 100’s on FB are scrambling to do a charge back, but with 4-5 month lead that EA had, many are past the 90 day limit.

Do you already have 3rd function plumbed up? Summit hydraulics makes a nice kit for our MX’s.

 

[drf256]

I use this. Was literally half the price it is now 5 years ago. No complaints.

The dual position top claws are actually pretty good to have. When grabbing a pile of logs, it can grasp different sizes and retain them.

The only annoying issue is that it tends to pinch the lines if you’re not careful. I had to rig a bungee cord to keep them pulled up and out of the pinch zone. Buy a few extra sets of lines from whomever you purchase the bucket from.

 

[Gary Courtney]

I have the EA 60” on my MX6000. Unless you can find a used one on marketplace, DO NOT send EA money. They are tits up. Probably gonna be millions owed.. big mess. 100’s on FB are scrambling to do a charge back, but with 4-5 month lead that EA had, many are past the 90 day limit.

Do you already have 3rd function plumbed up? Summit hydraulics makes a nice kit for our MX’s.
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I ordered a valve from W R Long

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

I use this. Was literally half the price it is now 5 years ago. No complaints.

The dual position top claws are actually pretty good to have. When grabbing a pile of logs, it can grasp different sizes and retain them.

The only annoying issue is that it tends to pinch the lines if you’re not careful. I had to rig a bungee cord to keep them pulled up and out of the pinch zone. Buy a few extra sets of lines from whomever you purchase the bucket from.

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Tractor trailer spring for air lines will solve the pinching problem. Much like your bungee did.

 

[drf256]

Tractor trailer spring for air lines will solve the pinching problem. Much like your bungee did.
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TY. I need to grab one.

 

[Hedgerow]

Yeah I’ll be that guy that is a downer and says that’s a great way to break a front axle. Having the tractor get tippy when you lift something heavy says to get a larger tractor, not add literal tons of weight.

Or get yerself a new toy !! This critter will lift 5,600lbs before it tips forward. A few stumps today were pushing the limits.
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The larger ones I couldn’t move will have to wait for the 844 loader and it’s giant grapple to wake up from its winter nap.
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This is what we use for the big root balls..

 

[jblnut]

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This is what we use for the big root balls..

Nice !! I picked up a Cat 330 a few years back but it doesn’t have a thumb. At least a stationary one has been on the project list for a while but other crap always gets in the way lol. It’s amazing what one can do with a decent size excavator !

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

TY. I need to grab one.

That’s the one I bought. And while installing, pulled the stop tabs right through the plastic retainer. A small scrap piece of metal and glue gun, all is well. Gold paint was within reach.

 

[FTG-05]

Yeah I’ll be that guy that is a downer and says that’s a great way to break a front axle. Having the tractor get tippy when you lift something heavy says to get a larger tractor, not add literal tons of weight.

Or get yerself a new toy !! This critter will lift 5,600lbs before it tips forward. A few stumps today were pushing the limits.
View attachment 408992


The larger ones I couldn’t move will have to wait for the 844 loader and it’s giant grapple to wake up from its winter nap.
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Sounds like a good idea: I need to move a couple big logs - just buy another tractor!