Stinger Compact Claw Grapple, anyone have experience with this company?

[Scottish_VA]

Doing lots of research on what grapple I want to buy for my L4701. Initially I was going to purchase the Homestead grapple but, after watching a few videos, I have been persuaded to see the benefit of having independent claws for clamping uneven items instead of having the claw be fixed where it might let part of the load slide. I found one that looks good, style I like, with the independent claws made by Stinger Attachments. Videos on youtube look pretty impressive, price is decent. Click here to see the exact one I am looking at. Does anyone have any experience with Stinger attachments that can talk to their performance and durability? Thanks!

 

[JimmyJazz]

I don't own a grapple but I do know that the grapple made by Everything Attachments has been highly recommended here. There is a search function on this site that might be helpful. Good luck.

 

[fried1765]

I don't own a grapple but I do know that the grapple made by Everything Attachments has been highly recommended here. There is a search function on this site that might be helpful. Good luck.

Heavy weight is NOT your friend with a grapple!
The "Stinger 66" grapple weighs 746 lbs.
UGH !!!

I think the OP is the perfect customer for the..... 66" EA Wicked Root Grapple V 2.0
It weighs only 452 lbs.
THAT is 294 lbs lighter..... than the 66" Stinger.
Thus, A MAJOR lifting capacity difference!

IMHO....Everything Attachments is the way to go!
I love my EA attachments!

Edit: Stinger weights I found are for a much more robust grapple, that Stinger also makes.
Best Stinger grapple comparison for a 47 HP tractor should be 395 lbs.

 

[OntheRidge]

Heavy weight is NOT your friend with a grapple!
The "Stinger 66" grapple weighs 746 lbs.
UGH !!!

I think the OP is the perfect customer for the..... 66" EA Wicked Root Grapple V 2.0
It weighs only 452 lbs.
THAT is 294 lbs lighter..... than the 66" Stinger.
Thus, A MAJOR lifting capacity difference!

IMHO....Everything Attachments is the way to go!
I love my EA attachments!

Not sure where you got 746 from, the website states the weight of the 66" is 395 lbs. Is your math a little off today?

 

[Showmedata]

I sorta have my eye on the Frostbite.

 

[fried1765]

Not sure where you got 746 from, the website states the weight of the 66" is 395 lbs. Is your math a little off today?

I used other Stinger posted specs..
Depends on which of their "root" grapples you choose.
I found 66" = 746
75" = 795
85" + 843
All are probably unnecessarily robust for a 47 HP Kubota machine though.

 

[GrizBota]

If you haven’t already seen this thread, check it out.

OTT Grapple Discussion

I have not heard of Stinger in the year or so I’ve been on OTT, nor did I run across it when I was researching grapple options in early 2023. Probably just means I haven’t heard of it, not that it isn’t a decent option.

 

[NCL4701]

Can’t specifically answer your question about Stinger as I have no experience with them. I have a 72” Tar River long bottom style. Weighs about 487lb per specs. A few thoughts to take or leave as you see fit:

1. Twin lids on a grapple 66” or 72” or more, definite yes. Loads aren’t neat, tidy, or evenly distributed. Independent twin lids is a major plus.
2. 72” covers the width of the tractor. Is that important in a grapple? Not for what I do with it, which is about 95% carrying logs, brush, and trash, but maybe if you’re root raking with it it might be important. 66” would save some weight; save some money; probably be fine for grasping and carrying stuff.
3. A comparable EA weighs about 10lb less but is probably better quality than mine. You can save more weight with EA by going to a model that’s narrower than 72” and/or a model recommended for less than 35HP tractors. If you go with a lighter weight less than 35HP recommended type model you might have to be a little careful with it. But, I don’t think you need anything more than the 400 to 500lb range. Past that you’re just wasting loader capacity.
4. Long bottom v root rake style. There are fans of both. I like the long bottom for moving brush and logs. It will root rake but not its strong suit. Vertical/root rake. Never used one. Some folks love them. Never heard anyone really complain about having bought the wrong style.

In the off chance you’re still reading…
I followed the link you provided in your post. The Stinger looks like a good match and a step or two up from the quality of mine, at least it appears that way on the web. 66” model may be a good choice. I think you’d find 56” too narrow at times unless you’re strictly loading logs on a sawmill or doing some other specific, limited duty.

 

[mikester]

My recommendation is to go look at one before plunking down your hard earned cash.

If you see thick mild steel plate anywhere, hair pins, non-greasable pins, crappy welds, walk away.

For grapples I would expect to see fully welded seems, no stitch welding or bolted connections, suitable gussets at stress points. I would be weary if I saw thin walled tube anywhere. No mild steel bolts being used on structural components. Sensible routing of hydraulic lines and protection where required. I personally don't like seeing cheap clevis style cylinder mounts.

 

[ajschnitzelbank]

I sorta have my eye on the Frostbite.

I’m happy with mine. It’s better at grabbing logs than brush. But I do grab brush with it. And pretty good for big rocks, too.

 

[fried1765]

My recommendation is to go look at one before plunking down your hard earned cash.

If you see thick mild steel plate anywhere, hair pins, non-greasable pins, crappy welds, walk away.

For grapples I would expect to see fully welded seems, no stitch welding or bolted connections, suitable gussets at stress points. I would be weary if I saw thin walled tube anywhere. No mild steel bolts being used on structural components. Sensible routing of hydraulic lines and protection where required. I personally don't like seeing cheap clevis style cylinder mounts.

I have very limited use for a grapple, so I opted for a low cost grapple, from MidState attachments, in Denton, NC.. ($1,200)
60" weighs 500 lb.
Kinda heavy, but my loader will lift 3,,000 lbs., so weight is not much of an an issue for me.
Welds look good.
OEM steel pins WERE non greasable, but I replaced them with brass pins, center bored, and made them greasable.

 

[GrizBota]

I looked at the Stinger grapple pictures, videos and material specs.

One thing I do like in the design is the lateral bracing of the tips of the tines as well as how the tubes are integrated with one another.

What I noticed that was lessor than other grapple specs is the use of 1/4” plate for the tines vs. 3/8”. The material spec is AR200, which has a yield strength of 70 ksi. Many competitors are using AR400, which has a yield strength of 140 ksi. Although the tine material itself is much weaker than used in other grapples, the bracing mentioned above will help offset that quite a bit, as well as being reasonable in the usage of the equipment. The video had a large machine (probably 80 Hp plus) grabbing chunks of concrete and it looks to have survived that.

The sub $3k pricing is also in line with other lessor know grapple manufacturers (e.g. EA and LP to charge more).

I’m not a fan of the bolt on attachment plate, it’s the only grapple I’ve seen made that way. I get why it would be made that way, but it isn’t for strength.

I wouldn’t be afraid to own one of these Stinger grapples, although I’d certainly consider other similar cost options.

 

[Scottish_VA]

I looked at the Stinger grapple pictures, videos and material specs.

One thing I do like in the design is the lateral bracing of the tips of the tines as well as how the tubes are integrated with one another.

What I noticed that was lessor than other grapple specs is the use of 1/4” plate for the tines vs. 3/8”. The material spec is AR200, which has a yield strength of 70 ksi. Many competitors are using AR400, which has a yield strength of 140 ksi. Although the tine material itself is much weaker than used in other grapples, the bracing mentioned above will help offset that quite a bit, as well as being reasonable in the usage of the equipment. The video had a large machine (probably 80 Hp plus) grabbing chunks of concrete and it looks to have survived that.

The sub $3k pricing is also in line with other lessor know grapple manufacturers (e.g. EA and LP to charge more).

I’m not a fan of the bolt on attachment plate, it’s the only grapple I’ve seen made that way. I get why it would be made that way, but it isn’t for strength.

I wouldn’t be afraid to own one of these Stinger grapples, although I’d certainly consider other similar cost options.

GrizBota,

great info - I had noticed the weaker steel as well but like you said, the cross bracing design was a plus. The thing I didnt notice, which you pointed out, was the bolt on plate for the quick attach. That is definitely a negative and has probably made me shift back over to either an EA grapple or the Home Stead version even though its not a double clamp system. Thanks again I appreciate the help!

 

[GrizBota]

You’re welcome. If price is a consideration, you might look at the CDI grapples, the standard units. I have one and I think it’s pretty well built. It also has four hinge points for the upper (single) lid. Stout design.

Here’s a little info I posted on it.

CDI Grapple

I’ve also posted a couple photos of it if you search on my user name. Cost was about $2900 early 2023 for a 66” dual ram, single lid, unit on the West coast.