Grapple advice

[greg86z28]

There is a LP SGC0554 grapple that is for sale by owner locally (used). Says about 25 hours of use on a B2601. I'm thinking maybe I could get it for $1,000.

I really was eyeing up getting a EA wicked 55 grapple, but at $2,000 or so, that's quite the cost difference and at the moment is making me think twice.

Our primary use case is going to be clearing a lot to build a new home. Mostly 15' white pines, nothing mature. We also own 50 acres that is about 75% wooded that we'd probably use it long term on.

I know the LP grapple is recommended for a BX series, but I'm wondering if for that cheap I should just jump on it.

 

[Motion]

It certainly wouldn't hurt to go look at it, ask the owner to demonstrate it. Ask why he's selling it. Then you can make an informed decision.

 

[old and tired]

Doesn't the BX only have one curl cylinder in the middle? Does your B2601 have the same set up??

 

[greg86z28]

Doesn't the BX only have one curl cylinder in the middle? Does your B2601 have the same set up??

This is the grapple in question.

Land Pride

www.landpride.com

It has dual cylinders for clamping. You are correct though, on the loader frame itself the BX series only has a single cylinder whereas my B2601 has dual cylinders.

I would imagine that if abused, the B2601 could probably do damage to this grapple. So the operator must use more finesse and less brute force - I try to do that in general.

 

[PaulR]

My non pro unofficial opinion after ~5 hrs of use on my LP SGC 0554: I like mine, but if I were doing a lot of smaller tree grabbing, I think I may prefer the wicked grapple: tines are more and closer together, and have teeth. I've had a few small ones slip out of my 0554. If you're on a budget the 0554 will serve you well I think, but the wicked grapple looks real nice. 50lbs heavier if that makes a difference, I went lightweight, I have 3 acres and not 50.

 

[greg86z28]

I think what I might do is buy this for now - with the cost of the 3rd function (I'll install), I can have a grapple setup for under $2,000. We are trying to save every penny for the home build, so being cheap now isn't the end of the world. We can always upgrade later if this doesn't work out or I want a better grapple. The EA one looks really nice without question and is the one I'd want long term. I wouldn't expect this LP unit to be anywhere close to that, but it's also half the price. I figure use it for awhile and sell it for what I bought it for (or close to it).

Greg

 

[Bmyers]

I know I like my EA 55" Wicked Root Grapple. It has served me well. One of those attachments I never knew I needed, but now that i have it, couldn't imagine not having it.

 

[greg86z28]

I know I like my EA 55" Wicked Root Grapple. It has served me well. One of those attachments I never knew I needed, but now that i have it, couldn't imagine not having it.

That's what I read everywhere. Grapples tend to be a favorite attachment.

 

[PaulR]

A grapple is pretty much the most fun you can have with your pants on.

 

[ctfjr]

A grapple is pretty much the most fun you can have with your pants on.

and silly me, I thought driving my car on the track was!

 

[Elliott in GA]

I have that grapple (SGC0554) on my LX2610, and it lacks for nothing. It would serve you well on a B2601.
I have moved large limbs (approximately 20 feet long as they barely fit into the 22 foot long dumpster), small trees and other fairly heavy items. You will run out of lift capacity before you run out of grapple capacity. My dealer suggested the grapple, and I had the same initial reaction. However, the dealer was correct; it is plenty robust.

A bigger, heavier grapple will just cut into you lift capacity. If you are doing things that require a heavier grapple, you are probably abusing your tractor's hydraulic system.

 

[greg86z28]

Well I think I missed the boat on the SGC0554. Sale pending. Was talking with the guy and was going to head out this weekend. Hopefully the other sale falls through. Might get in line for that EA 55 now I guess.

 

[old and tired]

You got to be qwick

 

[Crummy]

I have that grapple (SGC0554) on my LX2610, and it lacks for nothing. It would serve you well on a B2601.
I have moved large limbs (approximately 20 feet long as they barely fit into the 22 foot long dumpster), small trees and other fairly heavy items. You will run out of lift capacity before you run out of grapple capacity. My dealer suggested the grapple, and I had the same initial reaction. However, the dealer was correct; it is plenty robust.

A bigger, heavier grapple will just cut into you lift capacity. If you are doing things that require a heavier grapple, you are probably abusing your tractor's hydraulic system.

I've been using a SGC0554 on a BX2380 all summer and really like it. Picking up a LX2610 tomorrow. Dealer says they had one SGC0554 that got broken on a larger tractor so they don't recommend it for anything except the BX. I already have it so I'm going to use it. Glad to hear yours is working. Two months later is it still working?

 

[Elliott in GA]

I've been using a SGC0554 on a BX2380 all summer and really like it. Picking up a LX2610 tomorrow. Dealer says they had one SGC0554 that got broken on a larger tractor so they don't recommend it for anything except the BX. I already have it so I'm going to use it. Glad to hear yours is working. Two months later is it still working?

It is working like a champ, and it does not have any damaged teeth and etc. That said - I am not abusing the grapple or my loader; it is a compact tractor not a utility tractor or skid steer. I am sure if I buried the teeth in rocky ground and drove forward or slammed it into stumps that I could damage the grapple and the FEL. Like anything else, such as a rotary cutter, you can damage the toughest thing or the tractor it is attached to by misusing it. I have not bent or damaged my bucket either, even though I have dug a fair amount (leveled a 35x35 foot site) in rocky, hard clay soil.

My guess is that it will serve you well - good luck.

 

[Goz63]

You are really comparing apples to oranges. The LP0660 is much heavier in material and comparable to the EA Wicked 55. If the 0554 and EA are your two choices the EA is a better grapple. If you are looking to save some $$ check local new prices on the 0554 and make an offer. Again the LP0660 and EA Wicked 55 are very comparable in ability and price. The 0554 is not in the same class.

 

[skeets]

I have the LP and I can tell you,, the teeth DO BEND ! AR400 plate I think is what they are made of and yes it works, however there is a learning curve ,of which I am still on the back side of. It works super for lifting logs to cut, no more bending over and fighting with them. The gap between the LP teeth is pretty wide, but unless you are trying to move mulch or fine stuff it is no problem. For brush like wild roses or bamboo, or wild grapes if you can get a good bite you are good to go. Though I do find it hard to push the lower teeth into the ground to extract root balls, again the learning curve thing, Just MHO

 

[Elliott in GA]

I have the LP and I can tell you,, the teeth DO BEND ! AR400 plate I think is what they are made of and yes it works, however there is a learning curve ,of which I am still on the back side of. It works super for lifting logs to cut, no more bending over and fighting with them. The gap between the LP teeth is pretty wide, but unless you are trying to move mulch or fine stuff it is no problem. For brush like wild roses or bamboo, or wild grapes if you can get a good bite you are good to go. Though I do find it hard to push the lower teeth into the ground to extract root balls, again the learning curve thing, Just MHO

The SGC0554 is made of AR400 steel. There are a couple of important points to remember about steel grades. First, there is significant overlap amongst the grades; you literally can have AR 400 that is tougher than AR450. It really does depend on your source for steel - where their steel is within the specification envelope for that grade and how consistent their product is shipment to shipment. Second, does the difference between the two translate into any practical difference. How much extra force or wear can one grade take over another?

Like many things, marketing/selling may have more to do with the choice of steel than it should. On a compact tractor operating within its specs (loader and hydraulic system), I doubt there is any meaningful benefit to 450 versus 400 steel. If you are over working your equipment, the AR450 grapple might last longer, but your loader and hydraulic system are going to fail at the same accelerated rate.

 

[Crummy]

Worked the heck out of a SGC0554 on a LX2610 today and it works fine. Had a grapple crane cut down some large spruce that were between Powerline, house and fence. He made a big tangled pile out behind my shop and and went on his way. Trees were mostly 20" at the stump. I untangled the pile, stacked the logs and loaded the brush. Took some ripping and tearing to get the pile untangled so I know if it was going to break this would have been the time.

 

[bearskinner]

The grapple is THE most used implement I own. I could not clear brush and remove blowdown with out it.