Grapple options for the L2501/LA525

[nerwin]

I been looking into grapples for my L2501. I know that I'll have to install 3rd function valve and I'm pretty set on the summit hydraulic kit. Watched a recent video of someone install it on their L2502 and it looked slick and good quality for the money. Doesn't look that hard, I am mechanically inclined so I feel confident I can do it myself without issue.

However, I am a bit loss on the grapples out there. There are many, many options with all sort different designs. A lot of them are VERY expensive. But sometimes you get what you pay for.

When I was moving brush around with the pallet forks a while ago, I really wasn't a huge fan of it. Kind of a PITA, still beats doing it by hand although that's what I ended up doing is manually putting the brush on the forks

So here I am looking at potential options for a grapple.

I am kinda interest in this design of grapple...

Because it makes the most sense to me with the separate jaws and the base making it more suited for picking up logs and uneven things, also moving rocks and other weird things seems more practical than the other style. However these root bucket grapples seem to be on the heavier side which would limit what I could pick up with the loader. But then again I seem countless videos of people using this style on an LA525 loader just fine and lifting up a lot of heavy stuff.

But then you also have this style of grapple (below) which for whatever reason costs more. But also is lighter, nearly half the weight as the one above, opens wider and seems to be more suited for brush work but I have seen number of times when people have this style of grapple picking up weird shaped logs only on one side its clamped down but not the other side and the load shifts potentially making the tractor unstable. That's almost preventable with the first style of grapple I shared. I suppose the biggest benefit is that the load is closer to the pins.

Other options I have found are bolt on grapples for the bucket, not a fan of this but some like them. I have seen pallet forks with removable grapple, that is something I am interested as well.

Having the ability to put on the grapple and use the forks to move brush easier or move a log around and taking it off to use it as regular forks. Seems like a good cost saving measure.

I'm trying to find the best bang for the buck grapple setup. Do you have any experience with any of these on my size of a tractor? I been told my tractor is too small for a grapple LOL. My brother has a B2601 and has a grapple and uses it all the time! Why can't I on the L2501??

Thanks guys

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

There is also an add on grapple for your bucket.

First one you list is a brush grapple.

Second one is a root grapple.

Third is a... waste of money.

Brush grapples do a great job at picking up material on the ground, they will float across the ground like a rake.
you can easily do some serious damage to the loader if you try and pry on things like a root ball as it has a lot of leverage.
That leverage and length also lowers the lift capacity.

The root grapple does a great job at digging up the ground to pull roots, rocks and such, it will dig in and not float, that can be it's bad point.
It does work great with logs and rocks and brush piles.
It will usually have better lift capacity because it's not as far out.

Moving Logs with a grapple is hands down easier than anything else.
One thing to watch, you might be able to lift a long log but you can very easily twist the loader if you hit the end of the log or it starts to swing.

Look for the lightest grapple with the weight / HP ratings to match your needs.
Having a heavy duty grapple on a L2501 you'll never be able to use it properly and it will reduce your lift exponentially.
And having too light weight of grapple you could tear it up.

 

[MOOTS]

I’m partial to the root rake style myself. Had an EA 55 on the LX2610, and got an EA 60 for the 6000.

Handles uneven loads fine and can even pluck trees straight out the ground. Even the wife can use it!

Something in the 55” is the norm for your size tractor, though some match their bucket width, for whatever reason.

I also installed the summit kit on both tractors, very simple if you can spin a wrench and make some terminal ends.

 

[nerwin]

I guess that seems to be the safest choice..it's just they are so expensive for that style for some reason and I wouldn't use it all the time. It's a tough decision to make. That's why I kinda liked the grapple add on for the forks. Depends which kinda you get, some of them open up quite wide and some don't. I kinda like them for what I would need but I agree the root rake style seems to be nicer.

Hmmm.

 

[MOOTS]

for some reason and I wouldn't use it all the time.

You’d be surprised! It is on the tractor the most.

 

[nerwin]

I can't believe how expensive these are haha. I'll have to keep an eye out on the used market but then I don't know what kind of abuse the cylinders have taken or how nasty the previous owners hydraulic oil is.

I still think it will be worth installing the 3rd valve anyways at some point. I could borrow my brothers if I had a big clean up project to do. But I'll probably but a cylinder on the snow plow, it will save me time plowing!

 

[MOOTS]

I can't believe how expensive these are haha. I'll have to keep an eye out on the used market but then I don't know what kind of abuse the cylinders have taken or how nasty the previous owners hydraulic oil is.

I still think it will be worth installing the 3rd valve anyways at some point. I could borrow my brothers if I had a big clean up project to do. But I'll probably but a cylinder on the snow plow, it will save me time plowing!

Go ahead and get the summit kit on the way, and install. Keep an eye on used, they don’t pop up often but do occasionally. Cylinders and lines can be flushed easily if you go that route.

 

[nerwin]

I did come across this. Its 54" which would probably be fine, designed up to 25hp but says sub-compact which may not be able to handle the weight of the L series haha.

Catawba Subcompact 54 Rake Grapple

The Catawba Subcompact 54 Rake Grapple is built to redefine the meaning of lightweight yet strong. Built with a large 28″ jaw opening the subcompact rake grapple will make handling brush, trees, and small boulders easy. The Catawba Subcompact 54 is made from high quality USA Hardox 450 steel...

cattachments.com

It's an option, doesn't look too bad. Price isn't terrible.

 

[OntheRidge]

Check out Homestead Implements. I have their 55" Pinnacle series and love it. Very well built.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Your jobs sound like mine. Thorny scrubby underbrush. I opted for the first style. While it does gnaw away at lift capacity, it makes up for in volume.
The two logs below are about 22" diameter and 12' long. Each pretty maxed out my lift cap.
Each has to make their own decision.

 

[je1279]

I’m partial to the root rake style myself. Had an EA 55 on the LX2610, and got an EA 60 for the 6000.
View attachment 146386
View attachment 146387
View attachment 146388
View attachment 146389
Handles uneven loads fine and can even pluck trees straight out the ground. Even the wife can use it!

Something in the 55” is the norm for your size tractor, though some match their bucket width, for whatever reason.

I also installed the summit kit on both tractors, very simple if you can spin a wrench and make some terminal ends.

I was afraid to get flamed for suggesting the wicked 55" grapple, but I love mine as well. Also, adding a 3rd function is worth the price of admission. I use mine for both the grapple and the snow plow and it makes life much easier.

 

[nerwin]

Your jobs sound like mine. Thorny scrubby underbrush. I opted for the first style. While it does gnaw away at lift capacity, it makes up for in volume.
The two logs below are about 22" diameter and 12' long. Each pretty maxed out my lift cap.
Each has to make their own decision.
View attachment 146391

View attachment 146392

I'm just concerned about the high risk for potential damage to the loader from what @North Idaho Wolfman mentioned. The root rake seems to be "safer" in some cases. But I would simply just be moving brush, logs or stumps.

 

[OntheRidge]

IMHO, damage to the loader comes from misuse, not the implement itself.

 

[nerwin]

IMHO, damage to the loader comes from misuse, not the implement itself.

The biggest thing that worries me is the back pressure, I've seen them hit nearly 6000psi and sometimes destroy the electronic solenoid for the 3rd valve. But if it was a HUGE problem everyone would be experiencing it. So perhaps it's just misuse or accidents.

 

[je1279]

The biggest thing that worries me is the back pressure, I've seen them hit nearly 6000psi and sometimes destroy the electronic solenoid for the 3rd valve. But if it was a HUGE problem everyone would be experiencing it. So perhaps it's just misuse or accidents.

Messick's has a good video on the topic and what to avoid to prevent any issues.

 

[nerwin]

Messick's has a good video on the topic and what to avoid to prevent issues.

Pretty sure I watched that one...I feel like I watched almost all their tractor videos hahaha. Might have to watch it again.

 

[OntheRidge]

I'm no expert, but I feel like you would only get that kind of pressure if you were to ram something.

 

[Elliott in GA]

Just something to think about - if moving brush is a major use, a root rake/ clam shell grapple allows you to gather more than the other designs. Since the clam shell opens wider, you can compress a brush pile to the ground from overhead, and then you can close on the compressed pile. It will amaze you how much you can get in a single load, and you mostly avoid the potential of brush poking your tractor grill.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: When I was moving brush around with the pallet forks a while ago, I really wasn't a huge fan of it.

gee that's what I have on my BX23S, have cleared about 2 acres with it, pushing back the forest to reclaim farmland.Not fast but I got time, heck not even my land.....
Agree get the lightest weight grapple as mostly used for 'brush'.

 

[bbxlr8]

Food for thought: I rolled the LP SGC0660 (@250lbs) into the package in early 21 based on consolidated input from the brain trust here and couldn't be happier. My uses include initial major property clean-up of brush, deadfall & fire wooding in an old-growth forest on a ridge that hadn't been logged in 100y. My main other tractor use is landscaping and have massive amounts of glacially deposited boulders that constantly surprise me (think icebergs )

Contrary to those above, I generally keep the bucket on (buck rounds on site) and use grapple when I have large amounts of logs to move/stack. I occasionally use it carefully for rock but prefer the BH w/thumb as a safer option. FWIW I keep it inside and can switch on/off pretty quickly...