Battle of the Budget Grapples (Vote now)

[TRA]

I am looking to buy a grapple for my LA434 SSQA. There seem to be an endless supply of grapple choices. From the budget options, three kind of stand out as being quality and worth a look. So, I wanted to get your opinion of which one is the best option.

MTL 60***8221; HD Root Grapple for $849, Two Cylinders, weight unlisted.

https://www.mtlattachments.com/attachments/72-mtl-hd-root-grapple


Tomahawk 66***8221; One Cyliner Brush Grapple for $851, 415lbs

http://www.tomahawkattachments.com/...apples/tomahawk-66-inch-one-cylinder-grapple/


Titan 48***8221; Grapple Bucket for $1,109, 450lbs, Single Cylinder

https://www.palletforks.com/tractor...ts/grapples/48-grapple-bucket-attachment.html

Going Higher up on the list are the EA 55***8221; Wicket Root Rake and Anbo SCT-GR. But they are between 50 and 100% more than the budget models. If they are worth it, I will buy one and not look back.

 

[esloser]

I bought a box blade from EA Attachments. It would be the first place I look for anything else in the future. Great customer service, free shipping, and they have a good YouTube channel showing their stuff in action.


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[kenmac]

I also went the EA route, but chose the 60" root rake grapple. I have no regrets for my choice due to the amount of work I have for it. However, if you will not use it hard or abuse it, any will probably last well for you. If loading onto a trailer or high pile you may run into issues dumping your load with the long lower tines version. That was my main reason for my choice. Either way, it will be a very useful tool.

 

[Hook]

I recently purchased the Everything Attachments 60", single lid, wicked root grapple. One of my concerns was grapple weight. The 60" model is only about 150 lbs heavier than my bucket. It works as advertised.

 

[John Lash]

Don't forget to check on the shipping charges for the budget models...It'll make the more expensive units look cheaper.

 

[pjb03]

Greetings all. New guy new to tractors with a B2301 with a LA434 FEL. Did a quick search and found this thread.

I'm looking at the pin on mount EA 55" Wicked Root Rake Grapple. I'm not seeing the LA434 listed. I do see the LA304, LA364, LA402, LA504, LA271, LA272, LA301, LA302 listed. Is the pin spacing for these loaders the same as my LA434? any issues beside getting a 3rd function valve?

I appreciate any input.

Pat

 

[crmorse]

I have a "budget" model grapple (not one of the ones listed) that looked equally tough. It is NOT.

• The steel is so mild I easily straightened a bent tooth (3/8" thick) with a couple of medium taps from a 4lb hammer.
• The hydraulic cylinders are mounted at such a low angle it has almost no clamping force
• As a result of the above I've overtaxed it (or maybe it was something else too) so that the seals now leak so badly you can watch the lids sag in real-time
• Even with all the above, I still use it a ton. --I just wish I'd know about the EA Wicked beforehand.

My vote: not all grapples are made equal. Not all qualities can be visually seen. If you think you're going to use it much at all go ahead and get the EA. The EA wasn't much more than I paid for mine.

Oh, and this isn't import bashing either. Mine was made right here in the USA, in the same state as me even, but I guess that doesn't always mean equal quality anymore.

 

[John Lash]

I downloaded owner's manuals on some of the cheaper grapples. Under problems they explained how to straighten a bent blade.
Hmm, I don't want to buy one that you can easily bend the blades on...

 

[mikester]

Do you have a welding machine, lathe and metal fab shop?

If not, walk away from all those light duty units with hair pin style cylinder pins. They will all fall out 30 seconds after using the grapple with brush.

All the units running a standard bolt as the pivot pin for the grapple are junk. I've seen a lot of units where the holes for the pins are flame/plasma cut and a bolt simply inserted...JUNK

You put a lot of forces on those grapples. I would not touch another grapple without at least 3/8" bushings around every pin and each pin is securely held in with bolts and nylon lock nuts.

Cheap unprotected hoses? Forget it

I bough my unit thinking I couldn't build it for that price and could fix it myself when the need arises. Problem is I've wasted a lot of time breaking things, driving back to the shop, fixing it then starting again. Time I wanted to spend out in the back forty is now time doing repairs.

 

[Mike.O]

Weight is king with these. I think the 55" EA is being advertised at 200 LB (not much over the bucket weight). The above seem to be around 400-450 LB. Huge difference in weight you will definitely feel on operating capacities.

 

[TripleR]

We went with two Loflin grapples on the recommendation of the owner of our Kubota LP dealer, not "cheap" but not one of the top models or close. They work fine, but we don't use them a lot, if we did, we would have gone with the premium models. We have a well equipped shop, so if anything goes wrong my brother can fix, reinforce etc.

 

[DuckDog]

Can’t comment on those sorry.

I went w/ 50” EA grapple it shipped today for my B2650!




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[pjb03]

Can’t comment on those sorry.

I went w/ 50” EA grapple it shipped today for my B2650!

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May I ask why you chose the 50" over the 55"?

I'm looking at the weight specs and the 55" is almost 100# lighter.

 

[DuckDog]

May I ask why you chose the 50" over the 55"?



I'm looking at the weight specs and the 55" is almost 100# lighter.

Purely design and function. At 255lbs w/o the slats 275lbs w/ slats that leaves me plenty of lifting power for the tasks at hand.

I prefer a bucket style grapple for being able to slide under brush/logs/rocks and lift them up. The root rake style more or less pushes and pinches said items in my opinion.

So if you take weight out of the equation both are great pieces of equipment and style comes down to personal preference in how you want/need to tackle the tasks at hand.




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[pjb03]

Purely design and function. At 255lbs w/o the slats 275lbs w/ slats that leaves me plenty of lifting power for the tasks at hand.

I prefer a bucket style grapple for being able to slide under brush/logs/rocks and lift them up. The root rake style more or less pushes and pinches said items in my opinion.

So if you take weight out of the equation both are great pieces of equipment and style comes down to personal preference in how you want/need to tackle the tasks at hand.




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I learned something today. I did not know there was a difference in grapples. I was just looking at the weight aspect. I too need a bucket style. I'm going to look at that 50" now. Thanks.

 

[DuckDog]

I learned something today. I did not know there was a difference in grapples. I was just looking at the weight aspect. I too need a bucket style. I'm going to look at that 50" now. Thanks.

You are welcome! That’s why I continue to scroll OTT always learning new things.


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[TRA]

Do you have a welding machine, lathe and metal fab shop?

If not, walk away from all those light duty units with hair pin style cylinder pins. They will all fall out 30 seconds after using the grapple with brush.

All the units running a standard bolt as the pivot pin for the grapple are junk. I've seen a lot of units where the holes for the pins are flame/plasma cut and a bolt simply inserted...JUNK

You put a lot of forces on those grapples. I would not touch another grapple without at least 3/8" bushings around every pin and each pin is securely held in with bolts and nylon lock nuts.

Cheap unprotected hoses? Forget it

I bough my unit thinking I couldn't build it for that price and could fix it myself when the need arises. Problem is I've wasted a lot of time breaking things, driving back to the shop, fixing it then starting again. Time I wanted to spend out in the back forty is now time doing repairs.

That is a fantastic post.

Can you find or post pictures of the good and bad pin and hose setups so we know what to look out for?

 

[yoteantidote]

Do you have a welding machine, lathe and metal fab shop?



If not, walk away from all those light duty units with hair pin style cylinder pins. They will all fall out 30 seconds after using the grapple with brush.



All the units running a standard bolt as the pivot pin for the grapple are junk. I've seen a lot of units where the holes for the pins are flame/plasma cut and a bolt simply inserted...JUNK



You put a lot of forces on those grapples. I would not touch another grapple without at least 3/8" bushings around every pin and each pin is securely held in with bolts and nylon lock nuts.



Cheap unprotected hoses? Forget it



I bough my unit thinking I couldn't build it for that price and could fix it myself when the need arises. Problem is I've wasted a lot of time breaking things, driving back to the shop, fixing it then starting again. Time I wanted to spend out in the back forty is now time doing repairs.

This post should be pinned for people who want to buy a grapple!


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