Grapple options for the L2501/LA525

[old and tired]

WR Long is produced in Tarboro, NC; If you can drill holes... one of the cheaper routes you can go is a Bolt On Grapple from them (about $1k and 145 pounds) https://www.wrlonginc.com/single-dual-dualx

My tractor is an older version of yours, works great... I would recommend adding a tooth bar!!!

One thing for sure... ANY grapple is better than NO grapple!!!

 

[The Evil Twin]

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.

You can really twist up your loader with either one if you are pushing through the brush and nail an Oak stump. I'm fairly conservative when pushing into the unknown. Some guys and gals just send it. That's where potential problems lie.
100 grapple hours on my machine and haven't broken it yet. Thankfully. Mostly carving out ATV trails and cleaning up fallen trees. I do saw most trees into smaller pieces. That probably helps.

 

[whatsupdoc]

@nerwin The dual clam grapple that you posted looks good but one
thing you must consider is the weight of the implement because you have a compact tractor with say 1100 lbs capacity.

I have a L3302 so we have nearly identical tractors and I am using a 55"
root rake grapple and it has been great without any issues.

For some jobs a clam grapple would of worked better than my root grapple but that is the way things are. What I am getting at is one grapple does not fit all.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I have this 60 inch root grapple from HLA

It works fine and I have been very happy with it. It weighs a svelt 405 pounds and has performed very well. The 55 inch is 380 lbs.

I am "on the fence" about whether or not, I would pick a "dual lid" design if I had it to do over again.

On one hand I can see the value of independent lids, but then again;

The one pictured above is wonderful at "back dragging" to rake/clean up messy areas. It has saved me tons of back breaking work.

I have bent a couple of "tines", by grabbing rocks too aggressively, (but I can break anything if given the opportunity).

A few smacks with the BFH, and they are good as new.


EDIT: My vote is for the one in the second picture.

 

[biketopia]

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.

Catawaba stuff is nice, I have one of their land planes and am very happy with it. I also like the rake grapple a little better since it's closer to the pins. I have a brush type for my tractor, while it does what I need, I feel a rake type would be better suited for my use and size tractor. Mine sticks way out in front, weighs 365 lbs and you can't "rake" the ground for clean up like you can with a root rake style. The dual lid design is cool and all, but that one shown is for a skid steer, you'll get into a pretty heavy bucket limiting lift if you go that route.

My suggestion would be to get the 3rd function kit ordered and installed, I did the summit kit, and was super easy to do. If you're tearing into the tractor I might also look into adding a set of rear remotes. I added two rears last year and LOVE the hydraulic top link. Then keep an eye on the used market, they do pop up. Or for an independent implement dealer. The guy I've dealt with for new stuff is about 90 min from me, but has a yard full of new stuff, including Catawaba blades and he was cheaper than buying from Catawaba, at least a year ago he was.

 

[old and tired]

Catawaba stuff is nice...

It should be, it's Everything attachment under a different name... Google the owner of Catawaba - If you don't want to support Ted from EA... Well, you are... he's the parent company of Catawaba!!!

 

[nerwin]

I had no idea the market for tractor attachments is this wild. So many brands. Many I never heard of but made here in the states but actually decent prices unless you get something from a popular well known brand like HLA, LandPride, Titan, etc.

I have discovered IronCraft last night and they seem to make some affordable attachments but man they look well made!

This is the IronCraft CTGR54, oddly it's not on their website. Perhaps they don't make it anymore but they seem to sell around $1400-$1600. Yep single cylinder but for my use for moving brush, I think it would be good enough. Only about 300 pounds. Might be a solid option!

They also have the other typical models too with the dual cylinders on the back but they are around $2k.

 

[Yotekiller]

I do an extensive amount of log work as well as brush work. Have even carried several large boulders around my property with my grapple. I am glad I chose this one over all the other options. I picked the Homestead Implements Pinnacle series grapple.. It took 5 weeks to get it but was worth the wait. It's a beast of a grapple and has put up with the abuse I have thrown at it which is probably worse than what most guys would do..

 

[nerwin]

I do an extensive amount of log work as well as brush work. Have even carried several large boulders around my property with my grapple. I am glad I chose this one over all the other options. I picked the Homestead Implements Pinnacle series grapple.. It took 5 weeks to get it but was worth the wait. It's a beast of a grapple and has put up with the abuse I have thrown at it which is probably worse than what most guys would do..

Looks beautiful too. That must be when you first got it. Probably doesn't look like that now eh?

 

[D2Cat]

Looks beautiful too. That must be when you first got it. Probably doesn't look like that now eh?

If you purchased that grapple they would probably provide the proper color paint for touch up!

 

[nerwin]

If you purchased that grapple they would probably provide the proper color paint for touch up!

I'd have to polish it and wax it

Can't let it get dirty.

 

[Yotekiller]

Looks beautiful too. That must be when you first got it. Probably doesn't look like that now eh?

Surprisingly it's mostly does. Having just used it for logs and brush and a few rocks, only the serrated teeth are marked up. It's not been bent at all and nothing has broke. Some of the stickers are peeling off from when it's been left outside while using a different attachment. BTW, the serrated teeth are a must have for gripping things. Buy what you really want/need now because you will forget all about the cost down the road.

 

[Geezer3d]

You see a lot opinions and recommendations for various grapples. That is because everyone's situation is different based on budget and intended use. So, I'll add my opinion.

I have a Land Pride SGC1060 for my LX2610. I use it for moving logs, clearing brush, hauling stumps, and even drag it to help with raking and grading. It does a good job for all of that. The down side is that it is heavy so I may not be able to lift as much as I could with a lighter grapple, but that weight is because it is sturdy and almost indestructible on my size tractor.

 

[Yotekiller]

If you purchased that grapple they would probably provide the proper color paint for touch up!

They did!

 

[Yotekiller]

I'd have to polish it and wax it

Can't let it get dirty.

I tend to take care of my things and I own a power washing business so I have a wash trailer outfitted with industrial power washers and all the cleaning supplies and tools to go with it. Keeping my equipment clean and maintained is easy.

 

[nerwin]

I tend to take care of my things and I own a power washing business so I have a wash trailer outfitted with industrial power washers and all the cleaning supplies and tools to go with it. Keeping my equipment clean and maintained is easy.

That's not a bad thing! I like taking care of the equipment I own. My zero turn is from 2010 with almost 500 hours and it still looks new. I see folks with newer tractors than mine that are extremely beat up...I get it. It's a tractor. But for me it's an investment, I want to take care of it!

 

[biketopia]

It should be, it's Everything attachment under a different name... Google the owner of Catawaba - If you don't want to support Ted from EA... Well, you are... he's the parent company of Catawaba!!!

I don't have a dog in the EA fight. If Catawaba has the inventory on hand to sell it right then and there, all good by me, that's how I do business. My landplane was picked up in person from a third party seller. I would never put a large deposit down on a few thousand-dollar piece of equipment with a variable lead time. Put my name on the list, and when it's produced I'll either pay for it or pass it on to the next guy in line.

Back to the OPs observation about all the different players in the game. I found a lot of similar scenarios diving down the Facebook Marketplace rabbit hole. That's how I ended up with the grapple I did, I think it's a Laughlin and not on their website. The price was right, $1100(?) three or four years ago. It has served me well, but I'd like to add a root rake style to my arsenal and probably sell my bucket/brush style.

 

[McMXi]

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

Another EA Wicked 60 fan here, but more specifically the root rake grapple variant. Kind of wish I'd bought the Wicked 66 but only had the MX when I placed the order. I need a really tough grapple since I move rocks around fairly often, lift equipment off trailers and such, in addition to moving logs and brush. Root rake grapples tend to be tougher than their counterparts since they typically have shorter tines and often thicker tines with additional gussets.

 

[Sidekick]

It should be, it's Everything attachment under a different name... Google the owner of Catawaba - If you don't want to support Ted from EA... Well, you are... he's the parent company of Catawaba!!!

Actually it's Eddie's welding that is the founder of Catawba Attachments. A business that has really supported the local veterans. Nothing to do with EA or their poor customer service. I love my Catawba 55 grapple and got it in 3 days from ordering. Contact Cody to get educated on their history.

 

[NCL4701]

I have yet to hear anyone say they have a grapple and wished they had a different style or think they made a mistake putting the money into a grapple. Maybe that’s partly confirmation bias, but I don’t think that explains a total lack of expressed regret. Point being, you’re unlikely to regret whatever you get so long as you don’t get some giant thing that sucks up all your lift capacity.

Personally, I’m partial to twin lid long bottom, probably because that’s what I have and I like it… very much.