Which grapple do I need?

[andre3k]

I'm looking to get a grapple that will work on both my 60 HP Bobcat tractor and my skid steer. My tractor already has the third function kit installed. Primary uses will be for gathering timber for burn piles for the tractor and construction debris for the skid steer. Both run the standard skid steer style quick attachment. Any suggestions on what to get? Also, what's the difference between rock grapples and regular grapples? It seems like both styles would work for what I need.

[dclifton]

So i have a couple different ones. First of all dont skimp on a cheaply made one. There is clear difference in strength and the amount of metal used from one to the next. I can tell you the i much prefer the ones that look like a brush rake grapple compo. They have a taller back board and shorter front tines sticking out. These allow you to roll the grapple over on top of a bile of limbs and crunch it down better.

The grapples that are shaped more like a bucket with shorter backs and longer tines are not near ag good. I can haul twice the amount of brush with one vs the other. I have both. Usually the ones im talking about i think are called root rake grapple combos.

[twistedmidnite]

I have the root rake grapple combo also. Works like a champ.

[chaseh]

I bought a root rake/grapple style and I love it. It is dual cylinder, with grapple portion across the whole "blade" and strong enough to grab stuff much bigger than tractor can actually lift. We put it on a skid steer at the deer lease last year and it was capable of some real destruction! My tractor is a heavy frame 35 hp and can lift 2k lbs or so, and I will probably damage the loader before I ever break the grapple.

[Drycreek3189]

What brands are you guys using ?

[BGlegal1]

I've got an Armstrong Ag 60" BRG Mini on a 60 HP Massey. Had it for almost 4 years and it's been a workhorse. No experience with it, or any grapple for that matter on a skid steer

[CWendling]

What brands are you guys using ?

I have an MTL. Broke one weld once (doing something beyond what i shouldve probably). Been happy with it. Welcome to borrow it if you ever need to

[twistedmidnite]

What brands are you guys using ?

Not sure on brand but I bought mine off of a equipment salesman from Emory, tx. It's built well and was way less than comparable brands. My wife actually found the guy on Facebook. He has all kinds of different attachments. I got the 84 inch heavy duty grapple for $2500.

[Drycreek3189]

I have an MTL. Broke one weld once (doing something beyond what i shouldve probably). Been happy with it. Welcome to borrow it if you ever need to

Thanks Cory.

[dclifton]

What brands are you guys using ?

Armstrong BRG is a pretty good one. Check with COKER on 271 hes got about the best prices around on Armstrong stuff. Ive got an old one made by Hannahs when they where still building attachments. Ive since pretty much completely rebuilt it. As my 100Horse has worked it over pretty good.

I have 2 cat grapples. They are ok built dang stout but dont open wide enough to my liking. Opening on the cats are probably 3-4ft. My big grapple opens up to almost 5-5.5ft.

Its a trade off. The BRG style are great for big brush moving tree limbs etc. But IMO they do not clean up small stuff near as good as the bucket grapple styles do. As on those the teeth are much closer together so you can get a better clean up.

[Drycreek3189]

Armstrong BRG is a pretty good one. Check with COKER on 271 hes got about the best prices around on Armstrong stuff. Ive got an old one made by Hannahs when they where still building attachments. Ive since pretty much completely rebuilt it. As my 100Horse has worked it over pretty good.

I have 2 cat grapples. They are ok built dang stout but dont open wide enough to my liking. Opening on the cats are probably 3-4ft. My big grapple opens up to almost 5-5.5ft.

Its a trade off. The BRG style are great for big brush moving tree limbs etc. But IMO they do not clean up small stuff near as good as the bucket grapple styles do. As on those the teeth are much closer together so you can get a better clean up.

Thanks, I forgot about Coker, I bought a cyclone spreader from them last year.

[Draco]

Get the stoutest one your tractor will handle. Other than mower decks, it was the most repaired piece of equipment I had to repair in 40 years of welding service.

[Drycreek3189]

Not sure on brand but I bought mine off of a equipment salesman from Emory, tx. It's built well and was way less than comparable brands. My wife actually found the guy on Facebook. He has all kinds of different attachments. I got the 84 inch heavy duty grapple for $2500.

I actually signed up on facebook and found that guy, then deleted my account. I’m gonna go to Emory Friday and look at them.

[twistedmidnite]

I actually signed up on facebook and found that guy, then deleted my account. I’m gonna go to Emory Friday and look at them.

Lol, I don't have Facebook either, thats why i made that comment. I've got this grapple on a 95hp kubota skidsteer and sofar haven't bent anything out of shape. For the price, I think it's hard to beat. Just guessing I'd say it opens about 4 foot.