MTL RG-7 Grapple

[TheOldHokie]

I am ready to pull the trigger on a grapple for my new L3901 and I like almost everything about the 60" RG-7 from MTL a lot. My only concern and it is not great is the weight. At 520# that is about twice the weight of the 66" bucket and eating into the payload a bit. I have the loader manual and I have done the arithmetic. What I would like is some actual user experience from anyone that has actually put this grapple or something similar in size on an L01.

My main use is transporting small (24"-30" butt x 8' long) logs to my firewood site and brush/tree top cleanup. I do have the occasional need to move small (2'+) rocks and I have managed that using my much smaller B7200/B1630 so I don't see that as a potential problem. I have R4's with about 700# of liquid ballast on the L3901 and plenty more for the 3pt if needed so that is also not a concern.

Looking forward to hearing from someone with first hand experience.

TIA,

Dan

 

[D2Cat]

I am not familiar with the terminology RG-7 in MTL's grapples. I have the exact model show in the picture when I enter "MTL RG-7 grapple". I have the 60" model. First thing I'd do is call them and ask the actual weight of all the steel used in the build. I have never weighed mine, but I do not think it's 520 lbs...I'm guessing 400-425.

I use it on an L4240 with 42 gal. of windshield washer fluid in each rear tire. I pick up 2' chunks of Osage Orange (hedge, about the densest wood you can find), two at a time to unload off a trailer and put over near splitter. Pick up and load 20' light poles, rocks weighing (?) some 5" thick and roughly 3-4' outside diameters. Relocate many large piles of brush and trees. Never had a problem with any of it. Never had a problem with the grapple. Have had it 2 years.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I am not familiar with the terminology RG-7 in MTL's grapples. I have the exact model show in the picture when I enter "MTL RG-7 grapple". I have the 60" model. First thing I'd do is call them and ask the actual weight of all the steel used in the build. I have never weighed mine, but I do not think it's 520 lbs...I'm guessing 400-425.

I use it on an L4240 with 42 gal. of windshield washer fluid in each rear tire. I pick up 2' chunks of Osage Orange (hedge, about the densest wood you can find), two at a time to unload off a trailer and put over near splitter. Pick up and load 20' light poles, rocks weighing (?) some 5" thick and roughly 3-4' outside diameters. Relocate many large piles of brush and trees. Never had a problem with any of it. Never had a problem with the grapple. Have had it 2 years.

Thank you for your input. I think the RG-7 (Root Grapple 7) is a new model that has only been available for about a year. Sounds like youmay have an earlier model of similar construction. MTL provides a weight for the current model RG-7 HD grapple on their website:

MTL RG-7 HD Root Grapples 60" or 72" Models Black or Orange Universal quick attach Mount - Skid Steer — MTL Attachments

Brand New Built in the USA Skid Steer Universal Quick Attach RG-7 Root Grapple ***LIMITED 150 PRODUCTION per Month OF RG7 MODELS*** Highest quality Construction - BUILT IN THE USA Only 150 of the RG7 Grapples will be made each Month to be sold- This includes all sizes and Models of the RG7

www.mtlattachments.com

Your tractor and loader are a bit larger than mine but its good to know you like the quality and performance of your MTL grapple.

Dan

 

[D2Cat]

My invoice date is 9/12/2018. It's a 60" root grapple HD MTL. The freight co. had is listed at 500# out of Tallapoosa , Ga. (but once again, I don't think it weight that)

By looking at the picture on their web site I see no difference than the one I have and see nothing describing it differently. I'd like to know what they say about the differences.

 

[TheOldHokie]

My invoice date is 9/12/2018. It's a 60" root grapple HD MTL. The freight co. had is listed at 500# out of Tallapoosa , Ga. (but once again, I don't think it weight that)

By looking at the picture on their web site I see no difference than the one I have and see nothing describing it differently. I'd like to know what they say about the differences.

Here is a page with some discussion of the redesign. The older model was selling for $400 less at that time but does not seem to be currently available.

2020 MTL HD Root Grapple Buckets - RG7 Coming summer 2021 — MTL Attachments

2019 MTL HD Root Grapple Buckets - $999 Special from 999.00 Brand New Built in the USA - MTL ATTACHMENTS Standard Heavy Duty Twin Cylinder Root Grapple bucket Completely re-designed twin cyldiner root grapple - industry leading in every category including price. These are on

www.mtlattachments.com

My fallback choice would be this one. It's close to what you estimate your twin cylinder and tong model weighs but has a single cylinder and tong.

MTL 48" / 54" / 60" Skid Steer Root Grapple Bucket Attachment-Orange — MTL Attachments

Brand New Built in the USA 48" Compact Tractor Root Grapple bucket for skid steers The complete MTL line is built in the USA, by hard working families living in the USA High Strength Steel A36 HYDRAULIC CYLINDER COVERS INCLUDED !!! 3/8" sides - middles-Uppers

www.mtlattachments.com

Dan

 

[D2Cat]

Like I said, I don't know what's different unless they added some grease fittings somewhere or something I can't see, or opens wider. I may call them this week as ask some questions!! When I bought mine it was right at the time they had a similar ad saying something similar. Just curiouos.

I am totally satisfied with the product and would buy from them again. People discuss other brands and how they are, in their opinion, better. But how are you going to tear up a grapple with a 30-40HP tractor without doing something stupid?

 

[TheOldHokie]

Like I said, I don't know what's different unless they added some grease fittings somewhere or something I can't see, or opens wider. I may call them this week as ask some questions!! When I bought mine it was right at the time they had a similar ad saying something similar. Just curiouos.

I am totally satisfied with the product and would buy from them again. People discuss other brands and how they are, in their opinion, better. But how are you going to tear up a grapple with a 30-40HP tractor without doing something stupid?

Stupid is definitly in my skill set. My 40HP tractor bends tail wheel yokes on the Woods finish mower without so much as a grunt.

Seriously though I am only concerned with the weight not durability and the 200# difference doesn't strike me as significant for my uses. I am also tempted to add pallet forks to the order to get the $100 multi-implement discount. I do the books so the big girl won't even see the bill....

Dan

 

[ayak]

I had been in the same boat as you but wanted a ‘tweener’ that I could perhaps use with a tractor upgrade in a few years, so I ended up with a 60” 430# double-lid one. The double-lid was by far the BEST part about my pick. For my purposes and my long-term plan, the 430#er was perfect. I put a lot of ballast on the back end, especially since I later added another shim and now have my max pressure up to 2550psi from 2410.
Pic here was from before the pressure bump, though. I was easily getting two big ones at a time safely raised up and over the sides of this dump trailer. Same FEL as you, I believe.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I had been in the same boat as you but wanted a ‘tweener’ that I could perhaps use with a tractor upgrade in a few years, so I ended up with a 60” 430# double-lid one. The double-lid was by far the BEST part about my pick. For my purposes and my long-term plan, the 430#er was perfect. I put a lot of ballast on the back end, especially since I later added another shim and now have my max pressure up to 2550psi from 2410.
Pic here was from before the pressure bump, though. I was easily getting two big ones at a time safely raised up and over the sides of this dump trailer. Same FEL as you, I believe.
View attachment 63616

 

[TheOldHokie]

Yep - LA525. Make and model of your grapple?

Looks like dead Ash in your picture which is what I am dealing with. My little B series would handle as many of those as I could stack in the bucket. A 18" x 8' log was an adventure but I have handled lots of them with the little guy. Undoubtedly more weight than the loader manual listed. Expecting much more from the L3901. The specs for it are roughly double the little guy.

 

[B737]

I really like that grapple ^^^ I like the box style design. Having double independent lids is really nice, you get spoiled fast. That thing looks like an awesome value!
100 pounds heavier than double lid artillian and one third the price.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I really like that grapple ^^^ I like the box style design. Having double independent lids is really nice, you get spoiled fast. That thing looks like an awesome value!
100 pounds heavier than double lid artillian and one third the price.

Just placed an order. Orange was sold out so had to go black. Probably won't work as well but I will report my experience.

Dan

 

[B737]

you can carry a lot of weird stuff with twin lids!

 

[D2Cat]

Black will allow touch up paint to match easily!

 

[TheOldHokie]

Black will allow touch up paint to match easily!

LMAO! Very first thing I did with the pretty shiney new tractor was plow a 50' long path through a blackberry patch so I wouldn't have to worry about when/where the first scratch was coming from. Two days later I punched a hole in the grille. Three days later I ordered a grille guard. Still haven't ordered the grille....

Dan

 

[TheOldHokie]

Just placed an order. Orange was sold out so had to go black. Probably won't work as well but I will report my experience.

Dan

Shipping notice today - less than 2 days after order was placed. Guess they do not adhere to the EA ordering and shipping model.....

Dan

 

[TheOldHokie]

Shipping notice today - less than 2 days after order was placed. Guess they do not adhere to the EA ordering and shipping model.....

Dan

MTL grapple arrived today - 7 days including a weekend after placing the order. This is a serious chunk of steel - bill of lading says 550 pounds and there was just one skimpy little skid strapped to the bottom. Hopefully its not more grapple than my L3901 can eat. I will know better once I get a valve plumbed up and I can test it on some good size logs I have on the ground. So far I am pleased with the implement and every element of this transaction. Excellent price, free shipping, and fast delivery!! Only regret is if I had waited just a little bit I could have got it in Kubota orange - they dropped the SOLD OUT status on those a day after it shipped

Dan