Grapple Basics: Is the Stinger the Ultimate Tool for Your 25-50 HP Tractor?

[@HardwayRanch]

Howdy! For what it’s worth I’ll share some experience I have had down my path with a grapple - maybe help some viewers out. My tractor is a New Holland TC29D which I purchased new in the Spring of 2005 and it came with a front loader and 5’ bucket to match the front wheel width as you mention in the video. I do a lot of timber cleanup on my 63 acres and buck a lot of firewood with tree trunks ranging in size up to 3+’ diameter. Moving some of those was a real chore and that put me in the market for a grapple. About 2017 I finally purchased an ‘Add-A-Grapple’ to fit on the loader bucket. The dealer I purchased this from wanted an extraordinary installation fee and required my tractor for many weeks! So I opted to install it myself…. I am handy and had no trouble expertly fitting the grapple to the bucket, however, the hydraulics stumped me and I knew enough to get help before I got in over my head with an immobilized tractor. The dealer I purchased the tractor from made me a deal to install the hydraulics during their ‘off season’ so that my tractor was only down for a few days. This division of installation labor worked out well economically for me. This is a single grapple with three teeth fitted in the center of the bucket and it works well for what it is, however, the sides of the bucket get in the way of logs. The larger the log the more difficult it is to grip and lift with a bucket-grapple. Also, the sides of the bucket move the weight farther out in front of the tractor making some loads lift the rear wheels. So my next plan was to upgrade the tractor from a 4-link ‘quick’ attach to the now more common ‘skid steer’ quick attach. At that time I would also move the grapple from the bucket to the pallet forks. I have some metalworking skills and tools so I did this myself to great success and personal job satisfaction - not to mention I saved a lot of money. So now the grapple is mounted on the pallet forks and this is a huge improvement over the bucket! I can easily pick up logs longer than the 5’ width capacity of the bucket and the log is closer to the tractor by about 18” which doesn’t sound like much but that means the world when working with a heavy load. I can still do some brush work with thicker materials but a pair of pallet forks will not compare with genuine bottom grapple tines. Also, the grapple is attached with pins which means it can be removed should I need to use the pallet forks for a tall load I do not want to damage, like moving an appliance. But for the most part nearly anything else I want to move with the pallet forks is easy to accommodate just by fully opening the grapple - it will raise up high and only overhang the forks a little bit about 5’ above. I hope this experience helps others, thanks for the videos, Mike.

[@m16ty]

I'm fixing to start a big fence row cleanup at my farm. I had been looking at grapples and found out my neighbor had a add-a-grapple that he bought at auction and never used. He bought it planning to put it on a bucket but before he did he ended up finding a full grapple and used it. He told me I could have it if I wanted. I got it and my uncle had a old skid steer bucket that was worn out that he was fixing to scrap, so I got it and mounted to add-a-grapple to the skid steer bucket. After a little welding I got the old bucket good enough to use for grappling. The nice thing I found about using the skid steer bucket is it is of low profile design and the bucket is deeper than a standard tractor bucket. This allows you to grip things like logs better than standard tractor bucket because the sides don't get in the way as much. The down side is because the bucket is deeper, it does stick out farther away from the tractor than a standard bucket, and it being a skid steer bucket makes it fairly heavy compared to a standard tractor bucket. I've got it on a old heavy 55hp tractor though, which helps lifting the more weight farther out. The big plus side is I have probably less than $500 in the whole setup, and this includes adding a 3rd function to my loader (again scavenging parts).

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Solid recommendation from a trusted source. I’m not an engineer, but the box steel on the Catawba grapple looks like it might be stronger than the tubular steel on the Stinger. Either way, you gave me another option to consider for my 50 horse Boomer. I agree, it’s pretty easy to get into a pile of logs that’s more than your (my) compact tractor can safely move - even w/ filled tires. Glad you showed the clip doing grapple work w/ the brush hog on. That extra weight in back sure helps when doing loader work, so it makes sense to keep in on when using a grapple. As always, thanks Mike for letting us know about available products.

[@goforit5844]

Well Said - Exactly why I purchased the one have…

[@joeyw4442]

Excellent advice, Mike. That lloks like a fine grapple. I have a similar 60" grapple on my Kubota L4701. I use it often. And it stays on my tractor 90% of the time. Too useful in many situations to remove. Here's an idea for another video. Storage. I'm always interested in how folks store their grapple when it's off the tractor. As always, I appreciate the time time you make to educate us on all things tractor. Good job!

[@MartyHenderson-ie9sp]

That was a very good explanation Mike. I also prefer a rake grapple design. My next grapple will be just like the Stinger as far as the design vs. weight combo. Thanks for the video.

[@jaclynalley809]

Thank you for this. I am thinking I am getting a good deal on my grapple work. $100/hr and i dont have to BUY anything! my guy is insured and bonded!

[@frankmoreau8847]

I looked for a grapple for months, and they were all about $3K or more. I ended up with one that was bigger and heavier than I was wanting, but the price was $1800 FOB my pickup brand new It's on a Boomer 50 so it's not too heavy for the tractor. It did have grease fittings and in wear points. 500 pounds and 68 inches wide, I have no complaints. No trees to worry about but a lot of lighter brush to clear

[@johnmedlin5894]

Very nice looking grapple and affordably priced. If I didn't already have a nice, American made grapple, I would probably consider buying this one.

[@kennethmiller7853]

Always great advice, Mike! Thank you!

[@TheVaga9]

always good solid advice!! Thank you!!

[@sztaylor89]

Nice looking grapple

[@billloffler8637]

I like the clamshell better because you don’t tear up the turf as bad if you come down on the pile of brush and logs and squeeze it. I think you’ve got less chance of damaging your radiator if you come down on a pile rather then pushing it, it don’t take much of a stick to punch a hole in it.

[@Flowing23]

hi Mike , i'm looking into buying a Ford 5610 / 6610 2wd with loader at the moment. What is your opion about the market for second hand 20/25 year old tractors, a good time to buy ??? thank you.

[@TractorMike]

Absolutely a lot better than back during Covid. Demand is down on new utility tractors and inventory is starting to be a little bit of a problem on anything between 40-100 hp. If manufacturers discount/offer low rate on new, used values will come down and they're probably doing that right now. Good used utility tractors like that are a bit hard to find, though. Good luck!

[@Flowing23]

@@TractorMike thank you very much.

[@m16ty]

I don't know where you are located, but I think I'm fixing to sell a nice 5610 with loader here in Middle TN. I had to buy it as a package deal from a estate with a Farmall 806. I only wanted the 806 so I'll probably make the 5610 available.

[@richardbritton5280]

super ty sir

[@jswap1]

There is a third option that is much cheaper if you already have a loader bucket: the Add-A-Grapple.

[@inthedarkwoods2022]

Feels like an ad for Stinger grapples. Now go buy the best, Catawba grapples

[@lefthandedleprechaun8702]

We dont want to see you talking ... we want to see the equipment working

[@terryk3118]

Can't please everyone - can you. I'd rather hear an explanation of ins and outs of a product or setup or product. Videos that show an implement in action are valuable but can get boring after a lot of repetitive action.

[@butch6474]

I don't share your opinionated comment whatsoever! I very much value Mike's narrated explanations. If you don't want to listen to his instructional comments, don't view his videos. DUH!!! Besides, nobody forced you to log-on to KZbin in the first place.