Motorized wheelbarrel

[RIVERRAT]

So the muck truck will lift?
Carl, I am pretty convinced I dont need the grapple.
The forks along with use of a rachet strap will pack out close to twice the load. If I am not mistaken.
Now if I used a chipper all the time I could see where th grapple would be handy for stuffing the chipper.
But 50% of my work is loaded on a trailor or just stacked out front or where it can be chipped or a Prentice equipped rig can pick it up.


But Carl, your a pretty sharp tack if you want to convince of the merits of the grapple.... I am happy ears.
Fact is I am going to need some type of motorized log & debris hauler. Anything you or any one else has to say about is important to me

 

[sawinredneck]

I think Dave has another used Thomas for sale. I couldn't live without mine any more Jeff! It's my right arm!
YES you want the grapple, buy the damn grapple, get the damn grapple, you NEED the damn grapple!! Once you do a TD or clean up a bunch of brush in the back yard you will understand and life as you know it will have changed!!!
Yes it's that good Jeff! I pomise! The mini turns me into a three man crew, two guys it's a five man crew. I'd like to get the light material bucket, and replace my bucket with a 4-in-1 bucket with a tooth bar. My wife wants me to buy an auger and bits, but I need a log splitter worse I think, so.......

Give me a hollar when you have a decent sized job lined up and I'll try to get up there to help you and you can try it yourself, and see what you think!

 

[Bounce]

I've used the tracked unit made by Honda when I worked for the Forest Circus. It was AWESOME! One tank of gas would last 25-35 miles depending on how much uphill there was. It would carry 1000+ lbs of anything. It worked great on sidehills. And best of all, not a single one of the 5 we had ever broke down.

 

[Burnham]

I've used the tracked unit made by Honda when I worked for the Forest Circus. It was AWESOME! One tank of gas would last 25-35 miles depending on how much uphill there was. It would carry 1000+ lbs of anything. It worked great on sidehills. And best of all, not a single one of the 5 we had ever broke down.

Same here. I posted pics some time back in some thread or another. It's a good tool.

Here's a few again.

 

[brendonv]

You will want a grapple. I thought I needed forks and used them on one job since. I'd give away my forks, bucket, and rake before I had to get rid of the grapple. Chipper or no chipper.

 

[RIVERRAT]

Burnham, thanks for taking the time to post the pics. I have some time on one of those machines. They are very good at what they do.

I do think I want the ability to lift a load though.

 

[Burnham]

Right you are, Jeff. No question, that is a real benefit that saves a huge amount of work.

 

[DTW902]

Jeff we very seldom use the grapple I got from Dave, sorry Dave. Once in a blue moon I use it. Now the grapple bucket is used 99% of the time. You know what my set up is like. I very seldom chip, we just need the brush out were the grab can get to it. The grab bucket has open sides, can use it like a regular bucket for hauling stump grindings, dirt, gravel you name it. Of course you need a mini or small loader.
If I was looking for another loader I would get a articulated Gehl or Boxer, the older Gehls are cheaper to purchase. It all just depends on your budget. Darkstar had one he wanted to sell at one time, don't know if he still has it or not.

 

[DTW902]

Here is one, not to far from you Jeff.

http://www.machinerytrader.com/list...6931739&GUID=DBB15140DD664B2FA004882590C8FC87

 

[squisher]

Another vote for the grapple. Even without chipping it will still grab and move brush way faster than forks. Also you can 'drag' long things through narrow openings with the grapple.

 

[lumberjack]

You want the grapple for tree work. Pallet forks are for pallets, I'd be damned if I would fawk with a rachet strap on a normal basis.

I've thought about building a grapple bucket for my mini, but I hardly ever take the BMG off as it is. I modded my rake to grab it. Don't see the need to get off and pin it any time you want to use it.

 

[Al Smith]

You guys are talking about those itty bitty skid loaders .

On a regular full sized skidder a set of forks work great .

Tom's New Holland has a quick connect material bucket plus the forks .You can change them in about 5 minutes or less . Plus that thing will pick 15-1800 pounds you can move some pretty hefty stuff .It has enough back tilt on the forks you don't need to strap anything on .

 

[RIVERRAT]

It has enough back tilt on the forks you don't need to strap anything on .

So do most of the minis. But with any side grade while also being a bit damp out any logs can very easily slide off the forks. Not cool when coming through a gate or next to a clients car.

I have used a grapple 1 time on a vermeer mini. It was nice. Bit it takes 3sec. to strap the load on the forks. Yes I have timed it. With the grapple I have to load from both sides of the trailor. With forks I can push the logs around to arrange the load.

My mind is not made up. I am just stating my thoughts. What ever I decide. I dont have to have the grapple at exact time I purchase a mini. It's going to be a little bit before I buy one. Just want find out what I can now. So I can make a wise choice.

Any info on them from you all is greatly appreciated.

 

[lumberjack]

I load my trailer from the rear.

 

[top hopper]

Thats what she said!

 

[DTW902]

Get the loader first you can always add attachments later.

 

[sawinredneck]

I leave the ramps on my trailer and just drive up on it to load and pack it down with the grapple, I side loaded once, I got about half on the load.
For logs, if you load the width of the trailer, rather than the length, you get about twice as much on as well.
I also want a set of pallet forks, but not for moving wood! You may be able to strap in three seconds, but I never have to step off the machine.

 

[RIVERRAT]

Never thought about it. But with a grapple there would be no choice but to load from the rear.

I can see where the grapple would be faster

 

[NeTree]

Meh. I still prefer...

 

[MasterBlaster]

Nice.

 

[sotc]

I load from the side and the rear, forks for wood usually and grapples for brush and small wood. If I can find my camera tonight i'll get a vid tomorow

 

[RIVERRAT]

In my limited experiance with a grapple it just seems you pack out a lot more weight with the forks.

The weight is closer to the machine than with the grapple. It would probably take seeing some one really good with a grapple to get to thinking I could not live with out one.

80% of my work is TDs. The times I have used a mini I have never had a grapple would be better moment.

 

[sotc]

In my limited experiance with a grapple it just seems you pack out a lot more weight with the forks.

The weight is closer to the machine than with the grapple. .

 

[RIVERRAT]

I load from the side and the rear, forks for wood usually and grapples for brush and small wood. If I can find my camera tonight i'll get a vid tomorow

Dude that would be really cool!!

 

[lumberjack]

What makes your need different than anyone else?

All this was done with the grapple:

We cleaned this up:

And took this down and cleaned it up:

In two hours:

A load of crap from a job, 15 minutes to load:

Dumped: