On Thursday I bought the Land Pride grapple + 3rd function kit for the BX25.
Some initial thoughts:
Installation:
1. The instructions say to mount the electronic switch in front of the HST pedal and both the hydraulic lines to the left of the bracket. I did not find this possible. I had the lines going around the bracket.
2. The electronic switch was probably not meant for a BX25 with the brake on the right side. The brake hits the switch. I found I could rotate it to a very small area and it would not interfere with anything.
3. One of the hydraulic hoses is a bit too short. The short one goes to the power beyond flange. Because it was too short it would pull on the fitting and the fitting would work it's way loose. I lost quite a bit of hydraulic fluid this way and even went under and re-tightened twice. What ended up solving it? I routed the hydraulic line in the same hole that the brake pedal is in. The pedal never makes it all the way to the bottom so it should not interfere. This allows me about 3 more inches of play for the hose which is perfect.
4. There is a hose holder bracket that is supposed to on the front of the loader. In their picture they show the bracket close to the front end of the lift arms. This should NOT be the way you install it. If you have the hydraulics in the bracket they will kink. If you decide to use this bracket the hydraulic holder should be towards the rear of the tractor which will give you more room. I noticed that after 2 days of use the bracket was starting to wear down the hydraulics so I pulled them out and I doubt I will use them again.
Notice the bracket. Put the clasp part of the bracket closer to the back of the tractor rather than the front.
This is what happens when the clasp is towards the front of the tractor and you curl the grapple.
At this point I'm not even routing the hydraulic lines in the bracket at all.
Use:
This thing is awesome. I use it both for picking up large brush, logs, sometimes full trees. It has made work so much faster.
I've also used it to clean up low ground cover, the starting of vines etc.
I have also used it to pull small roots by running the grapple under ground and lifting up.
I have also used it to pull up large roots of larger stumps which makes it much easier to push a stump over and out.
I've already bent one of the blades by hitting a rock under ground. I wish there was a bit more support up front. Perhaps a horizontal cross beam welded closer to the tips of each blade.
Overall:
It did take some tinkering to get it function 100%
I would buy again but it was damn expensive.
I paid $1950 locally for the grapple + hydraulic kit + Kubota quick hitch
I will take pics and post up in a bit. Need to shower.
Some initial thoughts:
Installation:
1. The instructions say to mount the electronic switch in front of the HST pedal and both the hydraulic lines to the left of the bracket. I did not find this possible. I had the lines going around the bracket.
2. The electronic switch was probably not meant for a BX25 with the brake on the right side. The brake hits the switch. I found I could rotate it to a very small area and it would not interfere with anything.
3. One of the hydraulic hoses is a bit too short. The short one goes to the power beyond flange. Because it was too short it would pull on the fitting and the fitting would work it's way loose. I lost quite a bit of hydraulic fluid this way and even went under and re-tightened twice. What ended up solving it? I routed the hydraulic line in the same hole that the brake pedal is in. The pedal never makes it all the way to the bottom so it should not interfere. This allows me about 3 more inches of play for the hose which is perfect.
4. There is a hose holder bracket that is supposed to on the front of the loader. In their picture they show the bracket close to the front end of the lift arms. This should NOT be the way you install it. If you have the hydraulics in the bracket they will kink. If you decide to use this bracket the hydraulic holder should be towards the rear of the tractor which will give you more room. I noticed that after 2 days of use the bracket was starting to wear down the hydraulics so I pulled them out and I doubt I will use them again.
Notice the bracket. Put the clasp part of the bracket closer to the back of the tractor rather than the front.
This is what happens when the clasp is towards the front of the tractor and you curl the grapple.
At this point I'm not even routing the hydraulic lines in the bracket at all.
Use:
This thing is awesome. I use it both for picking up large brush, logs, sometimes full trees. It has made work so much faster.
I've also used it to clean up low ground cover, the starting of vines etc.
I have also used it to pull small roots by running the grapple under ground and lifting up.
I have also used it to pull up large roots of larger stumps which makes it much easier to push a stump over and out.
I've already bent one of the blades by hitting a rock under ground. I wish there was a bit more support up front. Perhaps a horizontal cross beam welded closer to the tips of each blade.
Overall:
It did take some tinkering to get it function 100%
I would buy again but it was damn expensive.
I paid $1950 locally for the grapple + hydraulic kit + Kubota quick hitch
I will take pics and post up in a bit. Need to shower.
Last edited:
i'm jealous
