Grapple Buckets? Anyone?

[J. Peterson Grading]

I picked up a late season creek bank repair where we are going in to clear about 10 Lots worth of brush and over-growth, all in town.

Everything needs to be cleared before we can start grading the creek banks, I was planning on going in with my brush mower, then going in to cut down the bigger trees with chain saws. We have one access point thats between the center 2 properties in the work area, and I am trying to figure out the best way to get the crap out of the back yards.

My mower should cut and size everything pretty nice, but the root balls (small as they are) are still going to be in the ground. I need to get them out of there as easily as I can. I am planning of just grubbing out what I can with one of my excavators. Trouble is, I still need to get it out of the yards.

I was thinking about buying a new root grapple of some kind, Something thats not going to cost alot, but is still going to do what I want it to, then it can sit untill I need it again. I need something that can act as a root rake to clean everything up, but still be able to grab a pile of debris and carry it out to my dump trucks. I was also thinking I could use it to break up topsoil out of my Black dirt pile (Pretty hard and chunky stuff)

I have used a flat bottom CAT Grapple during the flods last year, but I have never used a root grapple. I know how they work, just need some info on the different styles out there.

I was thinking something like this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROOT-GRAPPLE-BUCKET-Skid-Steer-RAKE-fits-BOBCAT-NO-Res_W0QQitemZ260495775350QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSkid_Steel_Loaders?hash=item3ca6c21676

or this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Berlon-72-Rock-Skeleton-Bucket-with-Grapple_W0QQitemZ260361939166QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3c9ec7e8de

I hate asking for advise, but I think I need it here.

J.

[Dirtman2007]

Having one similar to the first link I think that would be your best bet. I've moved 100's of truckloads of brush with one and been pleased. The gaps are big enough to let all the dirt out so you only get brush. Thats price is not bad either, one good job and its paid for.

mine
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee145/Letsdig18/015-7.jpg

[J. Peterson Grading]

I can get one tommorrow for $2000 just like the one in the first link and thats what my gut tells me to do.

But, I see some of these grapples that don't have the bracing at the front?cutting edge, and I wonder if those are any better. Some claim to have real strong steel in the tines. it just worries me that I would bend it or wouldn't be able to do any thing else with it.

The second pic, has way tighter tine spacing> somethig like that would work well for topsoil, blending salt sand, and sifting trough stripped sod.

This is my predicament

J.

[P.Services]

i dont like those styles of grapples AT ALL !! that bracing behind the tines doesnt allow you to root rake more then a few inches deep any thing deeper and it turns into a dozer blade. i like my bradco that has no bracing at all. i wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! dont go and buy a cheap piece of crap you will blow apart. do it right the first time and be happy!!

check out this link to see some pics....
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=208964&highlight=picasso+photos&page=12

[KrayzKajun]

i dont like those styles of grapples AT ALL !! that bracing behind the tines doesnt allow you to root rake more then a few inches deep any thing deeper and it turns into a dozer blade. i like my bradco that has no bracing at all. i wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! dont go and buy a cheap piece of crap you will blow apart. do it right the first time and be happy!!

check out this link to see some pics....
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=208964&highlight=picasso+photos&page=12

i like tht bradco!!!

[Gravel Rat]

The one Picasso has would be more for logs I dont know how much brush you would beable to grab with that. The one with Chris in the picture would grab a brush pile easier.

[P.Services]

trust me mine grabs brush just as good as any other. it takes a special trick to pick up huge piles though. you open it all the way up and come down on top of the pile and then squeeze it closed.

[Gravel Rat]

If I had the choice it would be the Bradco grapple it is heavier constructed and it would be better for moving logs etc.

[Caterkillar]

I would definately go with the style Picasso has. I think you can really grab much more brush with that one since the mouth is so much bigger. Like picasso says there is a little trick to it coming down on it. I have used both styles... and I really struggled with getting a full load everytime with the type you have links for. But really if it was me, I think I would just buy the first one I came across for $1000. I see them once a month in the 1200-1500 price range on craigslist and I bet you could snag one for 1k... then you could justify it sitting forever after this job!

[P.Services]

i found mine on ebay and i didnt pay much for it. i dont remember the exact dollar amount though. i wana say 2,800 plus 300 shipping

[wanabe]

Anyone have a Anbo brand grapple? I really like the looks of their "site pro" model.

[J. Peterson Grading]

What ever I end up getting will have to also be able to break up dirt in my topsoil pile. It will also have to sift through salt sand as well.

As of right now, I am still in the 'Looking" part of the game.

Something else that would be nice is visibility. The one I used last year, you couldn't see what you were doing with it at all. You would think it was full, and you might only have a chair in it. (Flood debris removal)

That one was nice for cleaning stuff off of pavement though.

I Like picassos, but I was hoping for one with a longer bottom, instead of the rake style. Seems like the longer bottom ones all (Or most) have the bracing on them.

J.

[Gravel Rat]

What ever I end up getting will have to also be able to break up dirt in my topsoil pile. It will also have to sift through salt sand as well.

As of right now, I am still in the 'Looking" part of the game.

Something else that would be nice is visibility. The one I used last year, you couldn't see what you were doing with it at all. You would think it was full, and you might only have a chair in it. (Flood debris removal)

That one was nice for cleaning stuff off of pavement though.

I Like picassos, but I was hoping for one with a longer bottom, instead of the rake style. Seems like the longer bottom ones all (Or most) have the bracing on them.

J.

The ones with the longer bottom have to have bracing the tines wouldn't have much strength. I'am pretty sure those grapples are made with ordinary mild steel.

[SiteSolutions]

What ever I end up getting will have to also be able to break up dirt in my topsoil pile. It will also have to sift through salt sand as well.

As of right now, I am still in the 'Looking" part of the game.

Something else that would be nice is visibility. The one I used last year, you couldn't see what you were doing with it at all. You would think it was full, and you might only have a chair in it. (Flood debris removal)

That one was nice for cleaning stuff off of pavement though.

I Like picassos, but I was hoping for one with a longer bottom, instead of the rake style. Seems like the longer bottom ones all (Or most) have the bracing on them.

J.

I just used a grapple that uses something like hay spears for the tines. I believe they call it a "Fork Grapple" but that's not really a good name for it. I have been skeptical of them in the past but the tines are long, and no bracing required. I used it to clear a bunch of privet hedge and had great success with it being able to break loose those little obnoxious rootballs.

Whatever grapple you use, I would recommend not bushhogging anything; rather, just wade into it all with the grapple, tines down a couple inches below grade, prying it all up. The long stems give you plenty of leverage on the roots to pull them out of the ground and the bigger pieces are a lot easier to handle without dropping little bits everywhere. Easier to shake out the dirt without shaking out a bunch of vegetative material.

Just my two cents.

[ksss]

I just used a grapple that uses something like hay spears for the tines. I believe they call it a "Fork Grapple" but that's not really a good name for it. I have been skeptical of them in the past but the tines are long, and no bracing required. I used it to clear a bunch of privet hedge and had great success with it being able to break loose those little obnoxious rootballs.

Whatever grapple you use, I would recommend not bushhogging anything; rather, just wade into it all with the grapple, tines down a couple inches below grade, prying it all up. The long stems give you plenty of leverage on the roots to pull them out of the ground and the bigger pieces are a lot easier to handle without dropping little bits everywhere. Easier to shake out the dirt without shaking out a bunch of vegetative material.

Just my two cents.


That describes my "forestry rake" as well. Its called a Saber Tine from Quick Attach. Much heavier than a root rake, and I can use it for other projects other than handling brush. It has held up to very heavy use. Its a great rake.

[T_S_S]

I have always used the bobcat brand root grapple. That thing will do exactly what you want. I have cleared numerous lots and roadways etc. I also use the thing for site cleanups. ie- people dumping large amounts of garbage on developments.

These are the only pics i have right now. ARP uses the exact same grapple , when he is moving brush. I have tried quite a few brands and i feel bobcat has the best root grapple.

And yes i have used it to seperate sod from dirt , and rocks and large chuncks of clay from topsoil.

[Junior M]

I have always used the bobcat brand root grapple. That thing will do exactly what you want. I have cleared numerous lots and roadways etc. I also use the thing for site cleanups. ie- people dumping large amounts of garbage on developments.

These are the only pics i have right now. ARP uses the exact same grapple , when he is moving brush. I have tried quite a few brands and i feel bobcat has the best root grapple.

And yes i have used it to seperate sod from dirt , and rocks and large chuncks of clay from topsoil.
I've used the above type of grapple and a rootrake type grapple, I feel for moving large amounts of brush the above Bobcat brand has its place for moving large amounts of brush. It can rake, but it hard to because of the supports act as a dozer blade like previously stated.

If you are going to be moving trees and large amounts of brush the forestry type grapple that TSS has is the best. There are little tricks to using it, like not damaging the ground when picking up a single log, things like that. You wouldnt believe the amount of brush you can get in this type of grapple if you open it up and come straight down on top of the pile.

[AWJ Services]

This is the best built grapple I have ever seen.




http://www.bushmasterequipment.com/RG602.htm

[YellowDogSVC]

I like a plain old Industrial grapple like the one Bobcat sells. I have had no issues with them, they are heavy duty (about 960 lbs for the 66") and are built well. What I like most is the ability to back drag (rake). Without the curved bottom, the brush easily falls off the grapple when you go to dump. I have also found that a slightly narrower grapple is a good idea. Keeps you from getting hung up..

There are a a few things I am really good at. Moving brush is at the top of the list and I have moved all types from large dead oaks to piles of cedar, blackberry, and mulch. The industrial grapple has been the most versatile for all types and it is also great for moving boulders.

[YellowDogSVC]

I have always used the bobcat brand root grapple. That thing will do exactly what you want. I have cleared numerous lots and roadways etc. I also use the thing for site cleanups. ie- people dumping large amounts of garbage on developments.

These are the only pics i have right now. ARP uses the exact same grapple , when he is moving brush. I have tried quite a few brands and i feel bobcat has the best root grapple.

And yes i have used it to seperate sod from dirt , and rocks and large chuncks of clay from topsoil.

How's your traction in mud with those bigger tires? I put 12-16.5's on my s330 so I could stay at 72".

[T_S_S]

I cant complain. I actually find that it gets more traction then my s250's. Gotta love the power of these machines! How many hours on yours? Any problems besides your hyd flow?

[mrsops]

Tss i didnt know you had an s330.. How do you like yours? I had a problem with the muffler but besides that its been a real good machine tons of power.

[DiyDave]

Try this link : http://www.markhamwelding.com/component/option,com_contact/Itemid,3/ (Markham welding, Denton, NC.) I bought one of these, he made it custom for my ASV RC30, 4' wide with 1 clamping cyl, and 3 prongs or teeth on top, 7 or 8 teeth on the bottom, I think it cost me like 1K plus shipping, about 5 years ago. It is the most used attachment that I have, and one of the most versatile. I use it for moving logs, fence posts, loading brush, shaking dirt out of brush, oh yeah, and for toting round bales of hay around the farm!:waving::waving:

[ARP]

Sorry for joining in late here, but as TSS said, I use the Bobcat brand root grapple. Compared to the other brands out there of the similar style, the Bobcat grapple has one of the largest opening diameters. This puts it in a nice place between the smaller, more manageable (with better visibility) root grapples, and the large rakes like Picasso has that are great for moving logs. Using the trick that everyone else has mentioned on coming down on top of the pile, I can grab a very large bundle of debris with it. I don't know what you consider expensive, but I believe the grapple was around 3200. It paid for itself more than 10x over in the first 2 months of ownership and is what really got me going.

[ClearViewGroup]

www.quick-attach.com Eagle Talon....the best there is...ours was beat the heck for years and never a bend or break....

[Dirtman2007]

I like the Solesbee's grapple, heres the link to the one I have.

http://www.solesbeesequipment.com/skid_grapple_rakes.htm

[MackCat]

I just bought a Caterpillar industrial Grapple Bucket last week and i really like it. I had them to put teeth on it so i could grade with it if i need to, works great. the teeth work good for raking trash. very heavy built bucket.

[SiteSolutions]

I like a plain old Industrial grapple like the one Bobcat sells. I have had no issues with them, they are heavy duty (about 960 lbs for the 66") and are built well. What I like most is the ability to back drag (rake). Without the curved bottom, the brush easily falls off the grapple when you go to dump. I have also found that a slightly narrower grapple is a good idea. Keeps you from getting hung up..

There are a a few things I am really good at. Moving brush is at the top of the list and I have moved all types from large dead oaks to piles of cedar, blackberry, and mulch. The industrial grapple has been the most versatile for all types and it is also great for moving boulders.

This is the one. No bracing = you don't get jammed up with dirt. My favorite out of several different types I've used. You can even add or remove tines for different types of work.

[YellowDogSVC]

I cant complain. I actually find that it gets more traction then my s250's. Gotta love the power of these machines! How many hours on yours? Any problems besides your hyd flow?

I have about 850 hrs in just over a year. No problems other than the rear hydraulics send odd errors to the computer and a leak on my pump for drive motors. Went through a couple of mufflers but they warranty them. Bad brackets. Other than that, this machine has been my best bobcat. i've had nearly zero downtime for repairs.

[kcress31]

Do you own an excavator? We use our John Deere 200 ELC with a hydraulic thumb rake for all of our grubbing.

I have a picture of it in my album.

[J. Peterson Grading]

I have 2.

I can't gets trucks to the hoes so I need to carry it out with something.

J.